151George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 1, 1777. Orders investigation of fraudulent recruiting returns. Requests inoculation of two Virginia regiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
152From 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...
153From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great loss of Tents at Danbury is like to make us rather scant in that Article, especially as the whole Army in this quarter will be moving and must consequently lay in the Feild. I am informed that the Barracks, already built at Ticonderoga and Mount Independance, will contain between three and four thousand Men, and as your Garrison will be stationary, I would recommend the covering the...
154From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Nothing material has occurred since my last of the 8th: We are impatiently waiting the arrival of the second division of the French Fleet and Army, upon which the commencement of our operations in a great measure intirely depends. In mine of the 18th July I desired you to make frequent communications of the situation of affairs to the Southward—I cannot forbear repeating my wish on this...
155From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 23 Ulto. General Heath by a letter towards the beginning of last month informed that there were some sick officers and men of the Convention troops, and some officers having families, who could not proceed with the other troops to Charlotte’s Ville by a land march; and their going by sea was proposed. I did not think myself authorised to decide in the...
156From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 27 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your Letter of the 17th covering the resolution of Congress of the 15th and informg your readiness & zeal to share a part in active military Duty, I have assigned to you a Command in the army under my immediate Direction, which is now on the point of entering the field. As soon therefore as you have adjusted your Concerns in Berkley, & prepared yourself for the Campaign, you will...
157From 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...
158George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 27, 1778 . Speculates on British intentions. Instructs Gates to obtain clothing for men and to return old clothing to deputy clothier general. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
159From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5–6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The slowness and irregularity with which the Militia leave Philada renders the presence of some Genl Officer in that City indispensably necessary; And as You have been there & no doubt are better acquainted with the best Mode of equiping & dispatching them than any new one, I request your Continuance there ’till You hear farther from me. In the mean time I must call your utmost Attention to...
160From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the [thirteenth] inst. by Mr Dodge and of the 16th by Capt. Bailey. Dodge is by far the best acquainted with the communication between the St Lawrence and Detroit of any person I have met with and should the situation of our affairs admit of an expedition by way of Lake Erie, he will be truely valuable not only from his acquaintance with the country but from his knowledge...
161From 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...
162From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday morning received your Letter of the 29 Ulto by Bennet the Express and am extremely sorry to find the Army is still in a sickly and melancholy State—The precaution taken to Halt the Reinforcements at Skenesborough, which are destined for your Succour, is certainly prudent—they should not be exposed or made liable to the Calamities already too prevailing, Unless in cases of extreme...
163From 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...
164From 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...
165From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 23d Novemr and am glad to find that you were upon your guard against any attempt of Genl Burgoine to endeavour to change the place of embarkation. No Transports have yet sailed from the Delaware for the purpose of carrying the Troops to Europe, nor do I hear that any have gone from New York. I can only attribute this delay to want of provision for the...
166From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will accompany one of last Nights date, to which it is intended as an addition—I have a thousand corrisponding circumstances to convince me, that Genl Howe intends to move from Brunswick in a very short time—it is said to this place, but that may be a cover only, to his designs upon Philadelphia—He & Lord Percy you will find by the Inclosed Copies of Letters have, or were abt to...
167From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 14 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am upon the point of setting out for Kingston, by way of Poughkeepsy—possibly I may not return before Sunday—I therefore inclose you the Paroles & CoSigns to that day Inclusive that there may be a corrispondence (as usual) with those which have already been delivd to Genl Knox. The orders of this day are Issued & I shall thank you for a pointid attention to them. I am with respect Sir Yr...
168From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 25 of April. I am extremely sorry to find that your prospects of reinforcements from the neighbouring states were so unpromising—indeed it is to be lamented that our general force is very unequal to the extensive demands upon it, and that there seem to be no adequate exertions making by the different States to remedy the deficiency. You Sir, who are well...
169From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14–16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th. We are yet under as much uncertainty as ever respecting the evacuation of New York. My advices from Lord Stirling of the 11th say that another fleet of one hundred sail had collected at the watering place, and that they had some Hessians and troops of other kinds on board, but he does not mention the estimated number. He also adds that but few ships are left at...
170George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 29, 1779. Discusses probable destination of British troops sailing from England. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
171George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 12, 1779 . Reports that Major General John Sullivan has arrived at Headquarters, and that Major Henry Harnage’s request has been sent to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
172From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Letter just come to hand from Congress contains a resolve in the Words following “That the President write to Genl Gates, and inform him, it is the earnest desire of Congress he should resume the Office of Adjutant General, and that his present Rank and pay shall be continued to him” to this resolve of Congress, Mr Hancock in his Letter, adds—“I have wrote to Genl Gates requesting him to...
173From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th came to hand this morning. My answer to that of the 8th was somewhat delayed by reason of my absence on a tour to the advanced posts of the Army, which threw a good many Letters in my way on my return, but being dispatched on the 13th it must have reached You soon after the date of Yours of the 15th. All prospect of a cooperation with the French fleet having ceased, and...
174From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 5th and 6th instants. I sincerely hope, that the intelligence communicated in the latter may prove true. It is corroborated by two other arrivals at New London; and four sailors, who deserted a few nights ago from a Sloop of War in the North River, declare that advice had been received of the arrival of a French Fleet at the Hook; but having heard nothing of...
175From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shall not object to yr going to Philadelphia on Acct of your Health, but wish it would have permitted you to have gone to Bristol rather, in order to have conducted matters there in cooperation with what I hinted to you as having in view here. I fear their may be some little uneasiness about Command there, as some of the Continental Colonels have gone down with the Brigade that Marchd last....
176From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 9th and 17th instants. The former, inclosing Copy of a letter from Lt Edwards respecting the Commissary of prisoners department—A representation from Colo. Webbs Officers on the subject of their Commissions—and extract of a letter from Colo. Chase D.Q.M.G. at Boston. The latter, containing Copy of a letter from the Officers captured in the Sandwich packet. Mr...
177From 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...
178From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 23d from Philada and that of the 27th from Coryells Ferry both met me yesterday on the Road. If there are not very clear proofs of the Hessian Paymaster’s having endeavoured to establish an illicit correspondence, I think he had better be suffered to go back immediately, for two Reasons. One, that a person under the sanction of a Flag should not be detained upon any but the most...
179George 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.
180From 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...
181From 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...
182From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 11th instant. From the progress of General Lovells operations at Penobscot, I should have little doubt of his success, were it not for the Reinforcement said to have gone from New York (notice of which I transmitted the Council of Massachusetts) which I fear will arrive before General McLean can be brought to surrender. It will at least render the Work more...
183From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I received your favour of the 21st. Two General Orders of the 7th & 12th of Feby 1779. founded upon a resolve of Congress therein mentioned designate the rules which are to govern the reinlistments during the war. This order was transmitted at the time by the Adjutant General to his assistant at Providence, and he tells me he had heard of its being received—Indeed it is a...
184George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 17, 1779 . Orders Gates to have Brigadier General John Glover’s brigade ready to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
185From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
A fleet of about one hundred and sixty sail supposed to contain 7, or 8000 men having left the Hook the 19th and early the 20th; I Yesterday morning, put three Brigades, Nixons, Parsons and Huntingtons in March, under Major General McDougal to join you at Hartford. You will be pleased to open a correspondence with Generals Heath & Sullivan, in order to obtain from them instant information of...
186George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 11, 1778 . Thanks Gates for intelligence concerning sailing of British fleet. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
187From 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...
188From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 6 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with Your Letter of yesterday’s date, and being satisfied with the reasons you give, fully approve of your decision’s being carried into effect. I am with great regard Sir Your Most Obedt Servt NHi .
189George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] June 11, 1779 . Laments Gates’s poor prospects for reinforcements. Disagrees that an attack on New York was feasible as the number of men in the Army was far less than that estimated by Gates. Gives information on British strength and position. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
190From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Army has not been able to oppose General Howe’s with the success that was wished, and needs a Reinforcement. I therefore request, if you have been so fortunate, as to Oblige General Burgoyne to retreat to Tyconderoga—or If you have not, and circumstances will admit, that you will Order Colo. Morgan to Join me again with his Corps. I sent him up, when I thought you materially wanted him,...
191From 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...
192From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed copy of a resolution of the 25 of feby last, you will perceive it is the desire of Congress that some offensive expedition should be carried on against the Indians, the ensuing campaign. With an eye to a measure of this kind, I have some time since directed preparations to be made at such places as appeared to me most proper for the purpose; to be completed by the 1st day of...
193From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am duly favored with your letter of the 7th. Immediately on the receipt of it, I forwarded the inclosed packet to Congress and seconded your application. I have since learnt though not from authority that a supply of money must have reached you ere this. I am equally concerned and alarmed at the dangerous spirit which has appeared in the troops under your command from the unfortunate causes...
194From 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...
195From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 18 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th of February, by which, I am surprised to find that my letter of the 1st of November from York in Virginia, in answer to yours of the 22d of May and 7th of October last, had never reached you. I take the liberty of inclosing a Copy of it. You will perceive by a Resolve of Congress of the 19th of December last, of which I inclose you a Copy, that after the...
196From 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...
197From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I imagine General Poors Brigade is by this time in motion agreeable to the determination of the Council on Friday. I desire that the next Brigade in course may follow, with directions to the commanding Officers to proceed by very slow marches to Harford, where they are to halt for further orders. Be pleased to impress upon the Officers the necessity of keeping up the strictest discipline upon...
198From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Before this comes to hand, you will have heard of the melancholy situation of our Affairs. I do not mean at this time to detail our misfortunes. With a handfull of men, compared to the Enemys Force, we have been pushed through the Jerseys without being able to make the smallest opposition & to pass the Delaware. Genl Howe is now on the other side, and beyond all question, means if possible to...
199From 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...
200George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] August 4, 1777. Forwards Congress’ appointment of Gates to the command of Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.