To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1777
From Major General Horatio Gates
Albany 2nd June 1777.
Sir,
The Inclosed from Brigadier General poor, is this moment come to Hand by Express.1 I never thought it was possible, for the Main Force of the Enemy to come so early up The Lake; unless Tory intelligence had induced them, when the Garrison of Ticonderoga was very weak, to have made an extraordinary effort to reduce that post. Inclosed is the Commissary’s Return of provissions now at Ticonderoga.2 All the Cannon are at last got to their Station, and most of the Stores, and a great deal of Flour will also reach Ticonderoga this Week. General St Clair Arrived on Saturday.3 I am, Sir, Your Excellencys Most Obed. Humle Servt
Horatio Gates
LS, DLC:GW; ADfS, NHi: Gates Papers.
1. Gates enclosed a copy of the letter that Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor wrote to him on 31 May from Ticonderoga. “Since the Intelligence brought me by Lieut. [Thomas] Lyford, and which I sent You the 28th Inst:,” Poor says, “[I] have Sent Capt. Whetcomb [Benjamin Whitcomb] down to Split Rock; who returns, and says that their Vessels and Boats, are all gone back, except One, which lies near the Four Brothers.
“This post being so very Weak, by Advice of General paterson, I sent Expresses to Muster the Men on the [New Hampshire] Grants. I am this Moment Sending others to Stop them” (DLC:GW).
2. This enclosure has not been identified.
3. The preceding Saturday was 31 May.