31From 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...
32From 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...
33From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
As we are yet uncertain as to the real destination of the Enemy, tho’ Delaware seems most probable, I have thought it prudent to halt the Army at this place, Howells Ferry and Trenton, at least, till the Fleet actually enter the Bay and put the matter beyond a doubt. From hence, we can be upon the proper Grounds to oppose them before they can possibly make their arrangements and dispositions...
34From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this morning is just come to hand. I have immediately, in consequence of the intelligence contained in it, put all the Troops in motion; and expect they will be with you, or in the neighborhood by tomorrow evening, and in full time to give opposition to the Enemy, as I cannot imagine their operations will be so sudden, as you seem to apprehend. you will send forward some proper...
35George 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.
36From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed copy of a letter from Congress, that they have appointed you to the command of the army in the Northern department, and have directed me to order you immediately to repair to that post. I have therefore to desire you will, in persuance of their intention, proceed to the place of your destination, with all the dispatch you can, and take upon you the command of...
37George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 6, 1777. Notifies Gates that De Malmady has been given permission to serve under Gates in Northern Department. LS , in the writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City François, Marquis de Malmady, was a colonel in the Continental Army.
38George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Notifies Gates that Du Bouchet has been given permission to serve under Gates in the Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City. Denis Jean Florimond Langlois de Mautheville, Chevalier du Bouchet.
39From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from Genl Schuyler of 13th Inst. it appears that you had not reach’d Stillwater at that time, since which I have not had any accounts from you, but expect you had arriv’d there soon after that date. From the various representations made to me of the disadvantage the Army lay under, particularly the Militia, from an apprehension of the Indian Mode of fighting, I have dispatch’d...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two favours both of the 22d came to hand yesterday. His Excellency had been all the day out reconnoitring the country and did not return home ’till late in the evening; this morning he again went out upon the same business, and has desired me to acknowlege the receipt of your letters. The signal advantages gained over the enemy by Generals, Stark and Herkemar at so gloomy and distressing...
41From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received to day the favour of your two letters of the 27th and 28th Ulto with a Copy of General Arnolds. The raising of the Seige of Fort Schuyler, is fortunate indeed, and I trust will free us from any further Apprehensions of an Invasion in that Quarter this campaign, if it does not produce a friendly and favourable change in the dispositions of the Indians towards us. It is to be wished,...
42From 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,...
43From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this Opportunity, I do myself the pleasure to congratulate you on the signal success of the Army under your command, in compelling Genl Burgoyne and his whole force, to surrender themselves, prisoners of War. An Event that does the highest honor to the American Arms, and which, I hope will be attended with the most extensive and happy consequences. At the same time, I cannot but regret,...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson’s brigade, which is the one you propose to send is, by far, the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about 600 rank and file fit for duty. It is true there is a militia regiment with it of about 200, but the term of service for which this regiment is engaged is so near expiring, that it would be past by the time the...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 177[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival in this quarter, I have been endeavouring to collect the best idea I could, of the state of things in New York in order the better to form a judgment of the probable reinforcement gone to General Howe. On the whole, these are facts well ascertained, that New York has been stripped extremely bare; That in consequence of this the few troops left there and the inhabitants are...
46From 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...
47From 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...
48From 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...
49From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening received a Letter from Lt Colo. Smith at Lancaster, advising me of the confinement of the British Officers who were going with Cloathing and medicine for the prisoners in our hands. This measure I consider as rather unfortunate, as they came out by my permission and in consequence of a Stipulation between myself and Genl Howe. The Officers are a Hessian & British Regimental...
50From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand. Before The receipt of the first, I had written to you upon the subject contained in it, in consequence of your Letter to the commanding Officer at Lancaster, which had been transmitted to me. As that will inform you fully respecting the British Officers and Cloathing, I will not trouble you with a repetition of the matter. I must observe,...
51From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 23d of last Month; to which I shd have replied sooner, had I not been delayed by business that required my more immediate attention. It is my wish to give implicit credit to the assurances of every Gentleman; but in the subject of our present corrispondence, I am sorry to confess, there happen to be some unlucky circumstances, which involuntarily...
52From 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...
53George 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.
54From 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...
55From 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...
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From 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...