151From 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...
152From 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...
153From 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...
154From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 27th Decemr and of the 15th and 26th January. That of the 15th did not reach me untill the 12th instant. I was at Philada when yours of the 27th December came to hand, and I reported to Congress the answer of the Council of Massachusetts respecting the Guns of the Somerset. I was sometime ago informed by Genl Bayley that he thought the Magazine at Coos was...
155From 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...
156From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your several letters of the 4th 16th 24th & 28th of March. General Sullivan arrived the day before yesterday at this place. Though Major Harnage appears to be peculiarly situated, and to have a claim to the indulgence he requests; I do not think myself at liberty to grant it without the permission of Congress. I have transmitted his letter to them, and I shall be...
157From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be under the necessity of drawing away a part of the troops now under your command to be employed elsewhere—You will therefore be pleased to direct General Glover’s Brigade to hold itself in readiness to march at the shortest notice—I hope the powerful aids of Militia, which you may call in on any emergency, in conjunction with the force still remaining and the 1500 troops to be raised...
158From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter of which the inclosed is a copy from the honorable the president of the State of Massachusetts, requiring authenticated musters of their fifteen batalions, to be laid before the assembly at the next session, to enable them to know and supply the deficiency. You will be pleased, therefore, forthwith to have such musters made of that part of the Massachusetts...
159From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the due receipt of your two favors both of the 12th instant, and their several inclosures. The paragraph in your letter relative to money for paying off the Troops I have transmitted to Congress. I herewith send you a resolution of Congress of the 14th on the case of Major Harnage and Capt. Hawker of the Convention Troops with which you will be pleased to make him...
160From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a representation in favour of Capt. Lunt, which is expressed in such strong terms and sanctionned by the names of so many respectable officers, as to deserve particular attention. His case seems to be singularly hard; but at this distance without an opportunity of inquiring circumstantially into the affair, I cannot undertake to make a different arrangement from that which has...
161From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Armand being now on the recruiting service to the Eastward, I am to desire that you will furnish him with orders on the Clothier at Boston for cloathing all the recruits he now has or shall hereafter make, for which he will previously furnish you with authenticated returns. I am Sir Your most Obed. servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
162From 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...
163From 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...
164From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter to Major General Heath directing him to repair to Head Quarters which I request you will forward to him. Another letter accompanies this from Brigadier General Du Portail to Mr De Castaing of Colonel Jacksons regiment, which you will also be pleased to have forwarded—The subject of it is, to offer Mr De Castaing an appointment in his family for which he has my consent—If...
165From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two letters of the 25th and 30th of May which the situation of affairs in this quarter prevented my acknowledging sooner. I can only lament that your prospects of reinforcement are so unfavorable—The appearances are not better for the main army. It would almost seem as if the States were determined to let our security depend intirely on a want of enterprise in the...
166From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your letter of the 8th. Mine to you of the 11th will accompany this to which I refer you. No opportunity having offered, it has been delayed. I have directed General Knox to send you a reinforcement of Artillery men. One company he informs me is all that the general exigencies of the service will permit him to spare. By the establishment of the ordnance department, when...
167From 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...
168From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th was delivered me an hour ago. Inclosed you will receive a duplicate of mine of the 27th least there should be a miscarraige. If you have not detached any troops from your command before this reaches you, you will be pleased instantly to dispatch Glover’s Brigade to Join this Army; with direction to make as much expedition as they can without injuring the troops. This order is...
169From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Three hours ago I received your favour of the 7th—I cannot conceive how my letter of the 27th was so long detained—immediately on closing it, it was sent to Colo. Hay to forward it. Your information respecting the movements in this quarter was erronious—Previous to my last the enemy after strongly fortifying the two posts of Stoney Point and Verplank’s, and leaving sufficient garrisons for...
170From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 18th With respect to the ration for the Artificers at Springfield it ought to be regulated by the contract which has been made with them as far as the state of supplies will permit—As you can best judge of this being on the spot, I shall be obliged to you to give direction to the Commissary accordingly. I do not know by what authority the usual ration...
171From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter for Capt. Clarke late of Col. Greenes Regiment, in answer to one from him, on the subject of the allowance to supernumerary Officers —I have informed him that he is intitled to it and that I should request you on application to order payment. His claim is founded in justice and authorised by a resolve of Congress of the 22d May 79 of which I now send you a copy. Nothing...
172From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Baron De Steuben who will deliver you this, sets out tomorrow morning, on his journey to Providence, with intention to make the necessary arrangements relative to his department with the troops under your command. I have no doubt you will afford him every aid in your power to complete them as speedily as possible and to carry the regulations into effect. The importance of the...
173From 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...
174From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 13th inst. The situation of the prisoners at Rutland seems to make it necessary, to give one of them the permission which is asked. But to render this of as little advantage as possible to the enemy, you will be pleased to order him to Rhode Island, to proceed from thence, by water to New-York, and return by the same passage to Rutland. It will...
175From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 24th instant a New-York paper announced the arrival of a 74 Ship—(one of Admiral Arbuthnot’s) and that the whole fleet were about 30 leagues Eastward. Our advices since confirm their arrival in the Hook on the 25th. I have not yet learned what regiments, it has brought, or the general amount of the reinforcement. I have been favored with your account to Col. Hay. I wish for a...
176From 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...
177From 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...
178From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of the 24th and 25th Ultimo. The proceedings of the Court Martial on Milligan are herewith returned. I do not conceive it necessary for me to take any order in a case which you are fully authorised to determine; and to which, from your situation and knowlege of circumstances you must be more competent. In my letter of the 29th, you will find an answer to...
179II. From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you by Express, an Extract of a Letter of the 26th Ulto which I have just received from His Excellency, the president of Congress, accompanied by an Act of the same date, of which the inclosed is a Copy. The transcripts of the Letters to Monsr Gerard, mentioned in the Act, by some means have been omitted to be sent. I have no other information with respect to Count D’Estaings...
180From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 16 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with yours of the 8th 11th and 13th instants, which I deferred answering immediately, as I have been in hourly expectation of receiving accounts from the southward which would inform me with certainty of the event of Count D’Estaings operations in that quarter and whether, and when he might be reasonably expected in this: But I have not received a Syllable since mine...
181From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was, in due time, favd with yours of the 15th I very much approve of your intention of marching immediately to Har[t]ford, with the Continental and State troops under your command, should the evacuation of Rhode Island take place. I will not undertake to decide upon the propriety of throwing a Garrison of Militia into Newport, because, it in a great measure depends upon the pleasure of the...
182From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Greene communicated to me on friday last a letter from Mr Bowen D.Q.M.G., giving an account of the total evacuation of Rhode Island, on the night of the 25th Ultimo. Not hearing from you on this event, I have concluded that your express must have met with some accident; and under this idea I communicated Mr Bowen’s advice for the satisfaction of Congress. I am anxious to learn...
183From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
After my letter of yesterday was dispatched—I received your favor of the 27th Ulto from Major Armstrong by Express, from Peekskill. The Major said he had been detained by a want of horses and bad roads—& being charged with dispatches more immediately for Congress—he was prevented from calling on me as he wished. I regret the disappointment—as it possibly may have deprived me of information of...
184From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
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...
185From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 13th desiring you to continue your march to Peekskill or Kings Ferry. We have since that time recd advices of a disagreeable nature from the Southward. The following is the best account which I have been able to obtain from Major Clarkson, and which I give you for your private satisfaction only—as perhaps the official account may be somewhat different. Much more time...
186From 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...
187From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
As the opening of the campaign is fast approaching, and it is time to form a general disposition of the Army with a view to it, it is essential I should know, as soon as possible, what General Officers will be present. For this purpose, I am to request you will inform me, without delay, whether the situation of your private affairs will permit you to take the feild this campaign or not, and if...
188From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed by a Letter, with which His Excellency Governor Jefferson has just honoured me, that the Legislature of Virginia had a Bill depending before them, for raising Five Thousand Men to serve Eighteen months, for supplying their Battallions; and I have been requested by him to make some provision for Officering them. No mode has occurred to me more proper for the present, than...
189From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote You on the 18th I have received a Letter from Genl Muhlenberg of the 11th transmitting me a List of the Officers mentioned below, belonging to Colo. Gist’s Regiment, who were omitted in the Return he sent me before —and in consequence were not included in the Arrangement intended to take place for the present with respect to the Virginia Drafts, which I inclosed You. These...
190From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday evening favored with your letter of the 21st of June. A few days since upon Col. Kosciusco’s application for leave to serve to the Southward, he obtained my permission, and I suppose designs setting out immediately. Capn Dallizen accompanies him. Gen: Clinton having gone up the Sound apparently with the intention of operating against the French armament at Rhode Island this...
191From 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...
192From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 8 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several favors of the 30th August—3d and 15th September. The first reached me only two days before I sat out for Harford, to meet Count Rochambeau and the Chevalier de Ternay—the two last came to hand while I was absent. The first account, which I received of the unfortunate affair near Campden, was by a Copy of your letter of the 20th August, from Hillsborough, to the...
193From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 12 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th of April from Philada was delivered to me on the 9th Instant by Colo. Stewart. That of the 15h of January from Berkely in Virginia reached me in due time. I should be sorry to think that either the public or yourself should have suffered from the unaccountable delay of my letter of the 8th of October—and I should with the greatest readiness set about an enquiry into the...
194From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th of October was received at a time when I was wholly occupied in the seige of York, which will plead my excuse for not answering it by return of Mr Blue who was the Bearer. Your letter of the 22d May last, alluded to in your favor, not being with me at this place, I can only reply from memory. If my recollection is right, that letter informed me of the Resolution of...
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 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...
197From 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...
198From 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 .
199From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 9th covering an application from Brigadr General Putnam for leave of absence until the 15th of April has been handed to me this morning. I beg you will be pleased, Sir, to inform that Officer I do not consider myself at liberty to comply with his request—for it appears to me (considering the small number of General Officers with the Army, Genl Howe having also in consequence...
200From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 12 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do inclose you a Letter and Memorial of the 13th of January last from Brigadier General Hazen in behalf of him self and twenty four Officers of his Regiment, remonstrating generally on the want of System and some general established Rules in the Proceedings of Courts Martial, by which means the innocent have been at some times injured and the Guilty escaped the punishment due to their...