41To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Instant I had the Honour to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th of this Month, the First that has come to my Hands—Inclosed I have the Pleasure to send you a Copy of a Letter, I received last Night from General Arnold, which I am confident will afford infinite Satisfaction to Your Excellency, as the Disgraceful Retreat of the Enemy from Fort Stanwix, must entirely destroy their...
42To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the Action of the 19th Instant, the Enemy have kept the Ground they Occupied the Morning of that Day; And fortified their Camp. The Advanced Centrys of my piquets, are posted within Shot, And Opposite the Enemy’s; neither side have given Ground an Inch. In this Situation, Your Excellency would not wish me to part with the Corps the Army of General Burgoyne are most Afraid of. From the...
43To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to send Your Excellency a Letter I received last Night from General George Clinton, with my Answer thereto; The Regiment of Rifle Men, under Colonel Morgan, Marched from Saratoga the day After the Convention was signed; they will very soon be in the Neighbourhood of Your Excellency’s Camp. Congress having been requested, immediately to transmit Copies of all my...
44To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After sending upwards of Five Thousand Men to the Succour of the Southern Army, I hoped a further Draught from this Department would have been unnecessary; but Colonel Hamilton acquaints me, it was the Unanimous Opinion of a Council of War, that the whole of the Eastern Regiments should March from hence, & that Troops were only to be stationed at peeks Kill, And in the Highlands, for the...
45To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honour’d with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant, from White Marsh. I have never entertained the smallest Idea, that General Burgoyne should be permitted to Change the port of Embarkation, or that the least variation of the Spirit, and Letter of the Convention, would be indulged to the Troops under his Command. There is no doubt, but the British Regiments...
46To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall not attempt to describe what, as a private Gentleman, I cannot help feeling, on representing to my Mind, the disagreeable Situation, which confidential Letters, when exposed to public Inspection, may place an unsuspecting Correspondent to; but, as a public Officer, I conjure your Excellency, to give me all the Assistance you can, in tracing out the Author of the Infedelity, which put...
47To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter of 4th Instant, which I had the Honour to receive from Your Excellency, has relieved me from unspeakable Uneasiness. I now Anticipate the Pleasure it will give you, when you discover that what has been conveyed to you for an Extract of General Conway’s Letter to me, was not an Information, which friendly Motives induced a Man of Honour to give, that injured Virtue might be...
48To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 23 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 23 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote Gates : “I received a letter from you of the 23d January on the subject of Cloathing said to be collected in this State for the use of the Pennsylva Troops, and delivered out to the Army in general .” The only extant letter from Gates to GW of this date concerns Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, not clothing.
49To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 Jan. 1778. On 27 Jan., GW wrote Gates : “Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand.” GW indicated that the first of Gates’s letters of that date referred to the detention of British officers carrying clothing to their prisoners in American hands.
50To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Papers your Excellency will see the Designs of Congress in forming the Plan of an Irruption into Canada. Their political Motives for appointing the Officers to conduct the Expedition need not be mentioned, as your Excellency must be struck with the Propriety of the Measure. The Board have carefully avoided weakning the Army under your immediate Command, as they well know the...
51To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote to Gates : “I have been favd with yours of the 27th . . . ulto.”
52To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote Gates : “I have been favd with yours of the . . . 31st ulto.”
53To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 9 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 9 Feb. 1778. On 14 Feb., GW wrote Gates : “I am favoured with yours of the 9th instant.”
54To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some new piece of Tyranny & Barbarity is constantly turning up on the part of the Enemy. The Board have received information of one in which they request your E[x]cellency’s assistance. A Colonel Daniel Heister Jr of this State an active good whig who in the association formerly existing here had a Regiment of Militia, applied to the former Board of War in the course of last June for...
55To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 18 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 18 Feb. 1778. On 23 Feb., GW wrote Gates: “I am honoured with your two favours of the 14th and 18th instant.”
56To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 9th Inst., and earnestly hope, no more of that Time so precious to the public, may be lost upon the Subject of General Conways Letter. whether that Gentleman does, or does not deserve the Suspicions you Express, would be intirely indifferent to me, did he not possess an Office of High Rank in the Army of the U.S. for that...
57To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 Feb. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote Gates : “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February.”
58To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
59To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 3 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 3 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
60To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates : “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
61To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 7 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 7 Mar. 1778. On 20 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I am honored with yours of the 7th 11th & 14th instants.”
62To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 11 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 11 Mar. 1778. On 20 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I am honored with yours of the 7th 11th & 14th instants.”
63To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 14 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 14 Mar. 1778. On 20 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I am honored with yours of the 7th 11th & 14 instants.”
64To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 17 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 17 Mar. 1778. On 25 Mar., GW wrote Gates : “I was yesterday favd with yours of the 17th by Major Campbell.”
65To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr de Wolffen, a Prussian officer, of the rank of lieutenant, will have the honour of delivering your Excellency this letter. He came to America to engage in the service of the United States. He appears to be extremely active and alert; and having been (as he informs us) an Aid Major to an Inspector General of Discipline in the Prussian Armies, we conceived he might be a useful assistant to...
66To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The former Board, addressed your Excellency on the Subject of General Thompson’s Exchange for a Brigadier General Hamilton captured at Saratoga & now at Cambridge. You were pleased to undertake the Negotiation of the Matter & for that Purpose transmitted a Copy of the Board’s Letter to General Heath. General St Clair has conversed with Brigadier Hamilton who is very desirous of being...
67To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 26 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 24th Inst. by the Bearer as I expect Genl Lee is now upon his return hither, I shall wait his Arrival & proceed immediately with him to Head Quarters. By a Letter I have just received from Lieut: Col. Troup, dated Fish Kill the 18th Instant, I am inform’d, that Col: Hughes D. Q. M. General in that Department either has, or is about to...
68To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th instant relative to the Laboratory at Lebanon. It has been with no small Concern that we have percieved the Affairs in the Commissary General’s Department exceedingly deranged. We cannot find any Neglect in the Gentleman at the Head of it as we believe him to be an active & good Officer. But the same Discontents &...
69To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th Instant. The Enemy in this Quarter are also appearing to evacuate the Forts Washington, & Independence; having been observed from Fort Lee, to be moving some of their Heavy Cannon from the Hill, and to all appearance embarking them on board a Transport at the Wharf. previous to Your Excellency’s giving me the hint, I...
70To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
As very few Drafts, or Recruits, arrive from the Eastward, nor do I find, from the information of General Huntingdon, that any Numbers are upon the road, I must beg your Excellency will please to Order one Regiment of Cavalry, and Two Brigades of Infantry, to reinforce this post. There is near Sixty Miles of Territory between the Highlands & New York, left exposed to be Foraged, & Ravaged, by...
71To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General MacDougall has made me the inclosed Return of the Strength of the Enemy’s Army, in, and about New York; which I have the Honour, by this Conveyance, to transmit to Your Excellency. The General seems thoroughly Satisfied, that the Return is a true State of the Enemy’s Army in this Neighbourhood: After this, I have not the Smallest doubt, but Your Excellency will provide immediately, for...
72To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening I was favoured with the Receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 25th Instant, and have this Morning despatch’d Expresses to the Governors Clinton and Trumbull, pressing them in the strongest Manner, immediately to order their Militia to reinforce this Post—I have inclosed each of them an Extract of Your Excellency’s Letter to me, with a Copy of the within from Col. Graham,...
73To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Major Taylor, will Satisfy your Excellency that the Arms mention’d in your Letter to me of the 26th Instant, were, by some mistake of the Quartermasters, detain’d a few hours upon the road to Easton. and then, without further interruption forwarded according to your Order—I never gave any countermand concerning them; so the Asperity which is so remarkable in your Excellencys...
74To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Conveyance I have the honour to send Your Excellency, the last Accounts of the proceedings of the Enemy, as well upon Lake Champlain, as New York. I have long been of Opinion, that provided the ensuing Campaign, is Offensive on the side of the British, their Operations will be up the North River, and intirely bent to Attack the Eastern States; this is in some degree, an opinion...
75To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose Your Excellency the Report of Brigadier General parsons, who is just returned from a reconnoitring party towards Kingsbridge. Various are the Conjectures that may be formed upon this Intelligence, as the facility with which the Enemy may move by water, puts all possible Finesse in their power. Yesterday Evening I received a Letter from Colonel Lamb, acquainting me he had halted the...
76To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Own the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th, Instant, and find the Enemy (although ready to remove) had not then evacuated Philadelphia. Some great decisive Stroke in War, or politicks, must immediately determine the Line of Conduct the Commissioners resolve to take. I am only vexed, so much precious time is lost upon our Side, by those whose duty it is to...
77To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received Your Excellency’s Letter, dated at 4 o’Clock P.M. 20th Instant; Mine to Your Excellency of the 22nd, will sufficiently evince my Attention to provissions; And as to Forage, Colo. Hay assures me he is exerting all his powers to provide a Sufficient Supply. He writes by this conveyance, fully upon the Subject, to General Greene. The Abundance of Green Forage, with Which...
78To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter I have lately received from Colonel Hughes, is the following paragraph. “I am to acquaint You that a Regiment of Foreigners are stationed at Springfield, by Order of General Heath. They are Commanded by a French Colonel; but I cannot help thinking them very dangerous at that post, as most, if not all of them, were lately under General Burgoyne.” I imagine this must be Colonel...
79To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
To prevent the Enemy’s Army, now Marching across the Jerseys, from receiving any considerable reinforcement from the Troops in, and near New York, I propose moving the Main Body of this Army to the White plains; and shall take a Strong Camp in that Neighbourhood. I have all my Cavalry, and a considerable body of Infantry, now properly posted between the Two Rivers, to intercept the Enemy’s...
80To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 6 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This moment I had the Honour to receive Your Letter, dated Brunswick the 3rd Instant; and do most heartily Congratulate Your Excellency, upon the glorious News it Contains. I shall Order Colonel Hay to have every thing in readiness, for passing Your Army Cross the River at Kings Ferry. Inclosed I have the Satisfaction to send Your Excellency, the latest, and best Intelligence from New York. I...
81To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning early, I was honoured by the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 11th—dated from pyramus Church. In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Commands, to give my Opinion of the Disposition to be immediately made, of the Troops marching with Your Excellency, I presume to say, that I perfectly approve of Your Excellency’s keeping the Right Wing, & Second Line of the Grand Army, upon...
82To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter was this minute put into my Hands with a number more, and being a good deal interrupted with other Business at the time, I open’d it by mistake; for which I must entreat Your Excellency’s pardon. Colonel Sherburnes Report inclosed, will Satisfy You that The Troops will pass at Kings Ferry, without the Smallest insult from the Enemy. I hope my Letter to Your Excellency of...
83To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
For the Garrison of West point, it is agreed by—Major General Gates, Major General Mac Dougall, His Excellency Govr Clinton, & Brigadier General Glover. That, Colonel Van Schaieks, Col. James Livingstons, & Col. Armands Corps; amm[o]unting as they are Estimated, to 900 Rank, & File; be sent immediately to relieve that post; & that one Other Continental Regiment, be added to them, as His...
84To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778. On 20 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with your two Letters of to day, (one inclosing a return) for which I thank you.” Only one letter of 20 July from Gates has been found.
85To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778. On 21 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with yours of this date.”
86To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj.Gen.Horatio Gates, c.3 Aug. 1778. On 3 Aug., GW wrote the Board of War : “On receiving your letter I wrote to General Gates [2 Aug.], copies of mine to him and of his answer to me are inclosed”; the answer has not been found.
87To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Question the First. Whether any, or what Operations can now be undertaken? Answer. Want of certain intelligence of The Enemys motions, & designs; of their present Strength, and Numbers, at the posts, Stations, & Territorys, they possess; want of exact information of the State of the Army under Gen: Sullivan; want of Knowledge of what Magazine of Flour, is, or can be provided in the Eastern...
88To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I earnestly entreat your Excellency will be pleased to permit Col: Kuscuiusco to be The Engineer to serve with The Troops marching under my Command; if I had not an Affectionate regard for This amiable Foreigner, I should upon no Account have made this my request—The out Works at West point are in a manner finish’d & the Body of the place in such forwardness, as to put it in The power of The...
89To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Hond with your Commands by Letter from Lieut. Col. Hamilton, & shall halt as you direct near Bedford. I am Sir Your most Obedt Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Alexander Hamilton’s letter to Gates of this date reads: “His Excellency commands me to inform you, that he has received advice, that the enemy, who had made a debarkation at Bedford [Mass.], after burning the little town,...
90To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acquaint Your Excellency that General Mac dougals Division arrived here Yesterday, and The whole Left Wing are now encamped upon a Height, to the East of this Town; about one Mile upon the road leading to Hartford; in my Judgement, exactly the position your Excellency recommended: I apprehend the Troops posted upon the Sound, and to the Southard of Danbury, are order’d to...