From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 1779
To Major General Horatio Gates
Head Quarters West-point 13th Novr 1779
Sir
I have been favored with your letter of the 8th advising me of your march to Hartford, and that you expected the whole would reach that place to-day.
You will be pleased to proceed by such a route as you may judge the most eligible and direct to Peck-kill or Kings-ferry. And if it is your opinion, that Col. Greenes Regiment can be usefully employed in the State of Rhode-Island, you may give orders for its return.1
We are still uninformed (officially) of the operations to the Southward, or the prospect of their final event.2 I am, sir, your most obt and hble servt
Go: Washington
P.S. You will give directions for the Parke and Stores belonging to it, to move to Springfield; and for the artillery men to join the army.
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, NHi: Gates Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. In his reply to GW on 16 Nov., Gates indicated his decision to return Col. Christopher Greene’s 1st Rhode Island Regiment to Providence. Writing Gates from Providence on 17 Nov., Jabez Bowen, deputy governor of Rhode Island, acknowledged that “Greenes Redgt will be of Singular service should the Enemy make any movements this way I thank you for the attention you paid this little State in advising their Return” ().
2. In a letter of 10 Nov. from Samuel Huntington, GW received official notice of the American and French defeat at Savannah on 9 Oct., and of the subsequent allied withdrawal. After learning that Vice Admiral d’Estaing’s French fleet would not come north, GW ended preparations for a combined offensive that fall (see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note; see also GW to Duportail and Alexander Hamilton, 11 Nov.; to Henry Knox, 12 Nov.; to Gates, 16 Nov.; to Huntington, 20 and 24 Nov.; and to Philip Schuyler, 24 Nov.).