151From 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...
152From 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...
153From 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...
154From 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...
155From 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...
156From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you last I have recd accounts from New York which I think may be depended upon that the greatest part if not the whole of that Garrison are upon the point of embarking. A considerable number had embarked. Upwards of one hundred sail of square rigged Vessels besides a great number of Sloops and schooners fell down to the Hook on the 16th and 17th. Under these circumstances I...
157From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Monsr Portail is appointed by Congress Colonel of Engineers, and is recommended as a Man of Abilities in his profession. As there is no occasion for him here at present, I have desired him and the Gentleman who accompanies him, who is also of the Corps of Engineers, to return to Philada. They may assist you and Genl Mifflin in viewing the Grounds upon the West Side of Delaware and...
158From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 15 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 3. is just now put into my hands. Those formerly received have been duly answered and will no doubt have reached you before this date. My last letter to you was by Colo. Drayton. I spoke fully with you on the difficulty of procuring waggons here when I had the pleasure of seeing you, and for that reason pressed the sending back as many as possible. One brigade of twelve has...
159From 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...
160From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 23 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have empowered Colo. Carrington to have twelve Boats, Scows or Batteaux built at Taylors Ferry and to draw on me for the cost. I recommended the constructing them so as to answer the transportation of Provisions along that river, as a change of position of the two Armies may render them unnecessary at Taylors Ferry, and I am thoroughly persuaded that unless we can find out some Channel of...
161From 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...
162From Benjamin Franklin to [Horatio Gates], 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : New-York Historical Society I received your obliging Letter by the Chevalier De Ramondis who appears extreamly sensible of the Civilities he received at Boston, and very desirous of being serviceable to the American Cause; his Wound is not yet right, as he tells me there is a part of the Bone still to be cut off. But he is otherwise well and chearful, and has a great Respect for you. The...
163From 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 :...
164From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the Enemy are advancing on the West side of the River. From the latest accounts they were at the liberty pole and at the Newbridge near Hackensack; and from many circumstances and the conjectures of the Officers in their Neighbourhood, it would seem that foraging is the principal object of their expedition. I was very apprehensive that they would possess themselves of some...
165From 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...
166From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to beleive, that on the return of Captn Vallancy, who is now on his way to Boston, Genl Burgoyne will apply to have the place assigned for the embarkation of the Prisoners, changed from Boston to Rhode Island or some part of the Sound. I know Genl Howe has suggested to him an Idea of the sort. I cannot say to whom his application may be—But for the most striking and obvious...
167From 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...
168From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of yours of the 7th instant and am sorry to find that Genl Cadwalader has declined a Commission in the continental Service. Altho’ I often wished in secret, that you could be brought to resume the Office of Adjutant General, I never even hinted it, because I thought it might be disagreeable to you for the Reasons which you yourself mention, “that you commanded last Campaign...
169From 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...
170From 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...
171From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am led to beleive by a letter from Major Genl Phillips, that he may not, in consequence of the late Resolve of Congress, have recd orders to remove to Virginia with the Convention Troops. He had been for some time past, for particular reasons, confined to the limits of his House and Garden by Genl Heath, who informs me that he recd the approbation of Congress for so doing, and upon...
172From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 11 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I accept with pleasure, and with pleasure reciprocate your congratulations on the acquisition of Louisiana: for it is a subject of mutual congratulation as it interests every man of the nation. the territory acquired, as it includes all the waters of the Missouri & Missisipi, has more than doubled the area of the US. and the new part is not inferior to the old in soil, climate, productions, &...
173From 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...
174From 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...
175From 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...
176From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of affairs here and in Caroline is such as must shortly turn up important events one way or the other. By letter from Genl. Greene dated Guilford C. house Feb. 10. Ld. Cornwallis rendered furious by the affair at the Cowpens and surprise of George town had burnt his own waggons to enable himself to move with facility, had pressed on to the vicinities of the Moravian towns and was...
177From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 3 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 10th of May came to my hand Pretty soon after Mr Cars Return from Wmsburg, but having Mislaid it for a time, you are kept out of an Answer till now. And even now, the information I am able to give in respect to your Enquiries, will prove Very Unsatisfactory. That there will be something (tho. nothing Considerable) left for the Residuary Legatees, after the Debts & Legacies...
178From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 11 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your bill for £54,712 in favor of Mallett has been duly honoured. That for £95,288 we shall also discharge. Another bill (which being delivered back to be presented at the end of the ten days, I cannot recollect either the name of the holder or the sum) has been accepted. We are now without one shilling in the treasury or a possibility of having it recruited till the meeting of the Assembly...
179From 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...
180From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 22 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters which accompany this will inform you of the Arrival of a large fleet of the Enemy within our Capes, and that they have begun their Debarkation. We are taking Measures to collect a Body to oppose them; for which purpose it seems necessary to retain such Regulars Volunteers and Militia as have not yet gone on to you. We have left the Counties of Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Halifax, and...
181From 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...
182From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 27 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing is so pleasing as to find that what we have done is so exactly what is approved by the friends whose judgment we esteem. not a tittle of what you recommend has been omitted; and it has been in train from June last. one article only varies. the situation of fort Rosalie, now the Natchez, being less favorable for a fort, one of the best on the Missisipi, which happened to be very near...
183From 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...
184From 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...
185From 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...
186From 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...
187From 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...
188II. 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...
189From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received advice, that a considerable body of the enemy, in addition to those already in the Jerseys, had crossed the North River on the morning of the 28th and landed at a place about two miles from Orange Town. There are rumours, that they were marching towards Kakeate and had detached a party to take possession of the Clove; but these want confirmation. They have surprised and cut off...
190From 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...
191From 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...
192From 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,...
193From 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...
194From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 4 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of Sept. 23d. answered your favours received before that date, and the present serves to acknowledge the receipt of those of Sept. 24th and 27th. I retain in mind and recur almost daily to your Requisitions of August; We have as yet no prospect of more than one hundred Tents. Flour is ordered to be manufactured as soon as the Season will render it safe, out of which I trust we can...
195From 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....
196From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 13 August 1776; 18 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of 24 June, and 17. July, are before me. I wish with all my Heart that you were Dictator at Ticonderoga, as much as it was intended you Should be, in Canada. Not for the sake of promoting Mr. Rice, nor any other particular Person, but for the good of the Service in general. Let me ask you however, by the Way, whether, Rice would not do for a Judge Advocate in that Department? I...
197From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 4 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors of July 19. 21. and 22. are now before me. I have enquired into the state of the Cartouch boxes which were sent from our magazine. The Quarter master assures me they were in very good order. I must therefore conclude that the 300 complained of by Genl. Stevens were some sent from Petersburg by the Continental Quarter master or that they were pillaged of the leather on the...
198From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th Ulto came to my hands a few days ago; and, to my great surprize informed me, that a copy of it had been sent to Congress—for what reason, I find myself unable to acct; but, as some end doubtless was intended to be answered by it, I am laid under the disagreeable necessity of returning my answer through the same channel, lest any member of that honble body, should harbour...
199From 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...
200From 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...