51From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 27th and 31st ulto —The Officers and Men, belonging to the Artillery under the command of Major Stevens, had been sent back previous to the Rect of yours of the 27th—I have always found great inconveniences in keeping small parties detatched from their Corps. You must have heard that the Officers who had the British Cloathing in charge would not proceed...
52George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 14, 1778 . Regrets inability to “ratify” sentence of court-martial held by Gates’s order, but will leave ultimate decision to Gates’s judgment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Gates was at this time president of the Board of War.
53From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th instant inclosing the proceedings of a general Court Martial held by your order. It is a defect in our martial law, from which we often find great inconvenience, that the power of appointing General Courts Martial is too limited. I do not find it can be legally exercised by any officer, except the Commander in chief or the commanding general in any...
54From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter of the 17th Ulto from Major General Riedesel after setting forth that a certain number of British Officers prisoners of War had been exchanged for an equal number of Officers in the Continental Army, at the request of Genl Burgoyne, he complains that upon application to you for the exchange of a proportionable number of German Officers likewise prisoners of War you answered no...
55From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At General Knox’s departure from camp, I directed him to forward the artillery at albany, to some proper depository in this quarter, convenient for rendering them useful in the next campaign. My motives for this were, that in case of an augmentation of this army, we should stand in need of a much larger train than we now have in the field, and ought besides to have a reserve to answer the...
56From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23–26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your two favours of the 14th and 18th instant, with their inclosures. With respect to the subject of the former, to obtain redress in the case of Mr Heister, the mode suggested in the postcript appears to me the most eligible; and I shall take the first opportunity to transmit a copy of your letter to General Heath, with the directions required. I shall take the measures...
57From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 19th Instt. I am as averse to controversy, as any Man, and had I not been forced into it, you never would have had occasion to impute to me, even the shadow of a disposition towards it. Your repeatedly & solemnly disclaiming any offensive views in those matters, which have been the subject of our past correspondence, makes me willing to close with the...
58From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The frequent complaints of the Brigade Majors and Adjutants for want of writing Paper obliges me to call the attention of the Board to the procurement of that necessary article. Colo. Pickering can inform them how much the service suffers on that account, from his experience while in the Office of Adjutant General. I know it properly belongs to the Quarter Master Generals department to provide...
59From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Season approaches fast when we may expect to draw together a considerable reinforcement to the Army, I cannot help having apprehensions that we shall be at a loss for Arms and Accoutrements for them. The last Returns that I obtained from the Commissaries on this side the North River were very imperfect, as the Stores were then on the remove from Bethlehem and Allen Town to Lebanon and...
60From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants, which I shall answer in their order. The removal of so valuable a train of Feild Artillery from Albany to Farmington as to a place of greater security, was certainly a measure highly proper, and you may be assured that every precaution shall be taken to escort them safely thro’ Jersey to this Camp,...
61From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 7th 11th & 14th instants. As soon as General Green enters upon the Office of Qr Mr General he will attend to the Stores at Reading and have all, that are not immediately or soon wanted for the Army, removed to a place of greater safety—I am obliged for your attention to the Article of Paper with which I hope we shall be in future better supplied —I do not think...
62From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 17th by Major Campbell. Our number of effectives is so reduced by innoculation that it is impossible to spare the few Men of the 13th Virginia Regiment just at this time. I shall send Colo. Russel immediately to Pittsburg to collect and take the command of by far the greatest part of the Regiment who are now stragling about that Country. Major Campbell...
63From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being indispensibly necessary that some general plan of operation should be settled for the present Campaign; and perceiving that Congress have been pleased to appoint you to command on the North River —I am to request, if you should not find it too inconvenient, that you will make a digression from your route thither, and favor me with a call at this Camp, that we may enter upon a...
64From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been informed by a Gentleman, actuated solely by a regard to the public good, and by an apprehension that we might fall short in the indispensible article of musket Cartridges particularly, that there are not, in his opinion, a sufficient number of Workmen kept employed, in the Elaboratories of Carlisle and Lebanon, to answer the exigencies of the Campaign. As the hint was thrown...
65From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 25th and 29th last Month. As I have never heard any thing from Genl Heath respecting the Exchange of Genl Hamilton for Genl Thomson since his letter of the 6th January, copy of which I transmitted to Mr Peters in mine of the 25th January, I concluded that the exchange could not be effected; but that no means may be left untried to regain so valuable an Officer as...
66From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Doctr Gordon, came under cover to me in the order you will receive it. immediately upon the receipt of your Letter of the Ulto, I sent it to Genel Green, who informs me that he hath written very urgently to Mr Hughes to continue in Office, but hears, or fears, he will not do it. The Letter for Genl Lee you will please to forward, or deliver, if he is expected soon. I am Sir...
67From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a variety of concurring circumstances and the general information of persons coming from philadelphia it would appear, that the Enemy mean to evacuate the City, and accordingly are preparing to embark. Some accounts are, that part of the Heavy Cannon & baggage are already on board, and the whole agree that all the Transports are taking in wood and water. Whether an evacuation is really...
68From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a duplicate of a letter which I forwarded yesterday by an express. The accounts from Philadelphia since, still continue to increase, and confirm a design of the enemies evacuating the City. I beg you may transmit to Coll Ethan Allen the inclosed letter by some safe and certain conveyance. I am Sir your most obt and very humble servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, NHi :...
69From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was, yesterday, favd with your’s of the 21st inst. The Enemy have been constantly busy since my last in embarking their Cannon and Stores. I do not yet find, that any Troops have gone on board. They give out that they mean to attack this Army before they go off, but I rather think, if they move at all by land, that it will be across Jersey. Under this uncertainty, I cannot alter my position...
70From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was not a little suprised to see by a letter from Colo. Hooper to Colo. Harrison, copy of which you have inclosed, that 728 Stand of Arms, which had come on as far as Sussex Court House, had returned to New Windsor, in consequence of directions given by Mr Andrew Taylor D. Q. M. Genl to Mr Lansing. Mr Taylor says this was done by your positive orders as appears by copy of his letter to Mr...
71From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter of the 23d Inst. by General Huntington. If the States will not or cannot send their Quota of Troops into the Field, it is no fault of mine. I have been urgent in my requisitions on that head, and whatever consequences may arise from the deficiency, will not, I trust, be chargeable on me. I cannot detach the reinforcement you request. The Enemy are yet in...
72From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 30th ulto. As there is the greatest probability that the whole Army will move to the Northward, I have desired Genl Knox to write to Colo. Lamb, to halt upon the East side of Hudsons River, at the most convenient place for forage for the Artillery Horses. I think he mentions Litchfeild. Inclosed you have a letter for Colo. Lamb, which please to forward ⅌ Express. I...
73From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this day recd yours of the 2d instant. The Arms arrived at Camp yesterday. If you will advert to the copy of the orders sent by Majr Taylor after Mr Lansing, you will find that I had every reason to think that the Arms were going back to New Burgh by your orders. He is so pointed, that he says in a P.S. “It is Major Genl Gates’s positive orders.” If he by making use of your name, when he was...
74From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 8th instant with its several inclosures. Whether the intention of the Enemy is to make the present Campaign offensive or defensive, time alone must discover: But if the former, I cannot think they mean to operate against the Eastern States in any other manner, than by laying waste their Coast, and destroying their Sea port towns. they will never venture into a Country...
75From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 9th Instant, and thank you for the reports made by General parsons & Captain Van Buren. With respect to the rank of the Officers in Colonel Lamb’s Regiment, I can give you no information. The divided state of the Corps has prevented an arrangement being made. I would advise you, as the only expedient for the present, to appoint a good board of...
76From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning about sun-rise the rear of the enemies army evacuated Philadelphia. To-day and to-morrow morning, our whole army will move towards the Delaware; and should the enemy march rapidly thro’ the Jersey, I shall proceed Northward as expeditiously as possible. My movements however will be influenced by theirs. In your quarter you will take the proper measures on this occasion; and let me...
77From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think it necessary to inform you by the return of the express who brought your packet for Congress, that I am now with the main body of the army within ten miles of Coryells ferry. General Lee is advanced with six brigades, and will cross to-night, or early to-morrow morning—By the last intelligence the enemy were near Mount-Holly, and moving on very slowly—but as there are so many roads...
78George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Coryells Ferry [ New Jersey ] June 21, 1778 . Informs Gates of movements of American and enemy forces. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
79From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here this day at noon. Two divisions of the army have crossed the Delaware; the remainder will cross tomorrow. The enemy, by the last intelligence, was moving on slowly—the head of their column had only reached Mount Holly. Their shipping had gone down the River below Reedy Island, except two, which lay opposite to it. These appearances seem to decide, that they intend to traverse...
80From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between 11 & 12 to day I received your favor of the 25 by Major Armstrong. The movement you proposed to make I highly approve and thank you for it. Whether any reinforcements would have come from york is a matter which neither of us can determine—but this will certainly prevent it. I wish you to take every means in your power to keep up their ideas of an attack & have not the smallest doubt...
81From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 24th Instant, last night. I wish the corps of foreigners you mention could be posted in a less exceptionable place. I leave it to you to take such measures as you may think most expedient in the present case. In my letter of yesterday I pointed out the situation of the two armies. This morning at 4 O’clock the enemy began to move—we are following them fast—and mean...
82From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that at seven oClock yesterday morning, both armies advanced on each other—at noon they met on the grounds near Monmouth Court house, where an action commenced—we forced the enemy to retire, and encamped on the Field of battle—they took a strong post in our front, well secured on both flanks by a Morass and thick woods—and remained there till midnight at which...
83From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was upon the 29th June. I have the pleasure to inform you, that the loss of the Enemy, in the action of the 28th, was more considerable than we at first apprehended. By the Returns of the officers who had charge of the burying parties, it appears, that they left 245 non commd and privates on the Feild, and 4 Officers, one of whom was the Honble Col: Monkton of the Grenadiers....
84From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday met yours of the 6th on the march to this place, at which, the front division of the Army arrived in the morning. They halt this day and will march again at one OClock tomorrow Morning. The other divisions follow at a days distance. I am glad to hear that every thing will be ready at Kings ferry to transport the Army and hope that measures will be taken to keep the passage open...
85From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now as far advanced as this place from whence the left wing of the Army marched to day about Four miles. According to my present Ideas, it will move tomorrow morning, under the Baron de Kalb towards the north River, with a view of passing it, at Kings Ferry. The right wing and second line, which form the remainder, being greatly fatigued by their march and the intensely hot weather, will...
86George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 14, 1778 . Informs Gates that Army is marching to Haverstraw. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
87From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The report of a French Fleet’s being on the Coast, as mentioned in my letter of the 11th is confirmed. I received last night advices from Congress, that a Ship of 90—2 of 80—8 of 74—1 of 64 and 4 of 36 Guns were off Chingoteague on Wednesday last, where they fell in with, and sunk the Lydia of 26 Guns on a cruise from New York. The Fleet is under the command of Admiral Count D’Estaing, and was...
88From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just favord with your Letter of yesterday. The right wing and second line of the army marched this morning from hence and will be at Haverstraw tomorrow, where I also expect to be at the same time. I shall be glad to see you there without delay to confer on the several subjects of your letter, and on some other matters of importance. I wrote to you last night communicating the...
89From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the arrangement of the Army. Be pleased to draw off Sherburns, S. Webbs and J. Livingstons Regiments to Kings Road or somewhere upon your left flank with orders to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments warning; and whenever Baron Kalb with the front division of the Army arrives near your Camp be pleased to order Enos’s and McClenachans [McClellan’s] Regiments to...
90From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your two Letters of to day, (one inclosing a return) for which I thank you. I am now about Six miles from where the Court House at the plains was, & shall set out immediately for Reuben Rights, which will be my Quarters for the present. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt servt LS , in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, NHi : Gates Papers. The letter enclosing a return has not...
91From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of this date with the Inclosures, respecting the prisoners sent from Bennington. previous to it’s coming to hand, I received a Letter from Governor Clinton, with a Copy of an Address from the prisoners to him & of a Letter from the Committee of Albany; all remonstrating against the proceedings had against these men. Under these circumstances, as I am determined...
92From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the inclosed from the board of war —I beg of you to inform me what steps have been taken in consequence of the resolves of the 11th of June last—What troops you had in contemplation for the expedition into the country of the Senecas—What number you conceive adequate to the service—What were your prospects of supplying them with provisions—stores and other necessaries—And...
93From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, [8 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you that having received information of the enemy’s being out advanced this side of Wards House, He thought it prudent to put the troops quietly under arms and has sent orders to the several Brigades for this purpose. This is the second note, I have written, the first the horsemen lost. I am Sir Yr. most Obed servant ALS , New-York Historical Society, New...
94George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] September 10, 1778 . Instructs Gates to march to Danbury. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
95From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The superiority of naval force, which the enemy at present possess over our allies, rendering it not improbable, that they may be tempted to undertake a co-operation, by sea and land, for the capture or destruction of the French fleet, in the Port of Boston, it appears expedient, that our dispositions, so far as is consistent with the other important objects of our attention, should be...
96From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of this date. I am always willing to grant requests where I think the good of the service will admit of it, and I am particularly so, when the requests are urged by Others besides the party, in whose behalf they are made. However, in the present instance of your application, I cannot do it with any degree of propriety, as I conceive. Colo. Kosciusko has...
97From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to inform you, that he has received advice, that the enemy, who had made a debarkation at Bedford, after burning the little town, had reimbarked their troops and were hovering about the Coast. He does not think it expedient that you should advance too far from the army and therefore desires, that you will halt near Bedford ’till you hear further from him. I am Sir ...
98From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
As it is more than probable that the road Leading to Danberry is out of order, I would wish you to send a party under a proper Officer to repair it, as far as that place, that should you receive orders to move on, you may have as little hindrance as possible. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Sert LS , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, NHi : Gates Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Brig....
99From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will early to morrow morning with the division under your command, begin your march from Bedford —and proceed by easy marches to Danbury—near which place you will take a position—in the choice of which, regard is to be had to two capital objects—1st the maintaining a communication with the divisions between you and the North River, for mutual support and the security of the Posts in the...
100From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 23d Inst. That the Enemy have a movement in view seems more than probable—but whether they mean to leave—or still to act on the Continent, is a point difficult to determine. If they move from New York and the latter is their plan, I think with you, that they will direct their force to the Eastward. The french squadron under Count D’Estaing, is an...