51To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 4 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter will be put into your Hand by The Chevallier de Ramondis, late Captain of The Cæsar Ship of War of 74 Gunns, one of the Squadron of Count destaing: He had the misfortune to lose his Arm, in an Engagement off the Coast, & has since been here for the recovery of his Wound. He is a fine Old Officer of long Service, & Great Merit. I hope he will be...
52To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Inst: from Morris Town; Upon my Arrival here, I dispatched without any delay, Your Excellency’s first Letter to General Wayne; he immediately repaired to Albany, and is gone from hence, whether to Morris Town, or Philadelphia, I cannot say, as he did not seem determined. Major Troup, upon being disappointed in procuring...
53To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 16 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Report of The Board of Genl Officers, to The Commander in Chiefs Question contained in Major Walkers Letter on The other side. The Board are “Unanimously” of Opinion that an Officer Suspended Generally, is so, from Command, Pay, and all other Emoluments; and not under Military Controul during The Time of such Suspension Reports of a Board of General Officers held 16th Febry 1783 Cantonment of...
54To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon my Arrival in this Department; I found the main Body of the Army encamped at Van Schaack’s Islands, which are made by the Sprouts of the Mohock River, joining with Hudson’s River; nine Miles North of Albany —A Brigade under General Poor encamp’d at Loudon’s Ferry, on the South Bank of the Mohock River, five Miles from hence—A Brigade under Genl Lincoln, had Join’d Genl Stark at Benington;...
55To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 18 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send Your Excellency my dispatch of this [Date?] to the President of Congress under a flying Seal for your Persual. I must entreat you to forward it with all its contents, directly by Express to Philadelphia. If the News from General Fleming is Confirmed I think A Speedy recovery of South Carolina and Georgia must be the Consequence, but we are so often disappointed in Reports that...
56To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Monday Night Two Thousand men under the Command of Brigadier General Thomas took possession of Dorchester Heights; a vast Quantity of Materials being previously Collected, especially Chandiliers, and Fascines, our Troops were soon covered, and long before day, began to Break Ground to thicken their defences against The Enemys Cannon. To Conceal our design, and divert the Enemys Attention, a...
57To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 Jan. 1777. The dealer’s catalog includes the following excerpt from this autograph letter signed, apparently written at Philadelphia: “... I immediately consulted with Doctor Shippen & Mr. Morris, upon the best method of preventing the spreading of the infection of the small-pox & have issued orders to oblige all the troops & recruits ... to...
58To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
To prevent the Enemy’s Army, now Marching across the Jerseys, from receiving any considerable reinforcement from the Troops in, and near New York, I propose moving the Main Body of this Army to the White plains; and shall take a Strong Camp in that Neighbourhood. I have all my Cavalry, and a considerable body of Infantry, now properly posted between the Two Rivers, to intercept the Enemy’s...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee, who appears to be a Gentleman, and a Veteran Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintance; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Berkeley County, 8 Feb. 1781. Letter introducing James McAlister, county commissioner and issuing commissary in “this Districkt,” who waits on TJ for “Directions in regard to His Future Conduct.” Gates recommends him as “a good and Faithfull Servant of The Public.” RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.
61To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday evening the Bearer put into my Hands Your Excellencys Letters of the 12th, and 17th Instant; I shall immediately Order General Glovers Brigade to be in readyness to March at the shortest Notice; unfortunately for our Safety, your Excellency is as much deceived, as I am disappointed, in the Numbers expected to be rais’d for the defence of this State; Neither Providence, Massachusetts,...
62To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 9th Inst., and earnestly hope, no more of that Time so precious to the public, may be lost upon the Subject of General Conways Letter. whether that Gentleman does, or does not deserve the Suspicions you Express, would be intirely indifferent to me, did he not possess an Office of High Rank in the Army of the U.S. for that...
63To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 7 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find myself obliged to acquaint Your Excellency that there is not, as yet, any Winter Quarter appointed for me and my family. When I last parted with Your Excellency, I went to the Quarter Master General, who told me, there were some persons to remove—a Guard Room to be built—and a Stable to be repaired, before I could be accommodated, at Justice Nichols’—at Ellison’s he said,...
64To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letters from The Generals Heath, & Sullivan, clearly shew, that The Enemy do not meditate any Attack to the Eastward; it is now too Late: I also send Your Excellency a Memorial from the Offi cers of the three Brigades here. it is matter, which they seem exceedingly Anxious may be reconsider’d—Major Mesam has got the Orders he required, and Assures me General pattersons Brigade are...
65To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 26 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour to write to Your Excellency, I have received the inclosed Letters from General Bayley, and Colonel Bedel. The intelligence contained in them, being nearly the same with that sent before, by several conveyances, to Your Excellency, I did not think it necessary to dispatch it by a Special Messenger. By the Numbers of Prisoners sent lately from New York, Newport, and...
66To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Hond with your Commands by Letter from Lieut. Col. Hamilton, & shall halt as you direct near Bedford. I am Sir Your most Obedt Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Alexander Hamilton’s letter to Gates of this date reads: “His Excellency commands me to inform you, that he has received advice, that the enemy, who had made a debarkation at Bedford [Mass.], after burning the little town,...
67To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th Instant. The Enemy in this Quarter are also appearing to evacuate the Forts Washington, & Independence; having been observed from Fort Lee, to be moving some of their Heavy Cannon from the Hill, and to all appearance embarking them on board a Transport at the Wharf. previous to Your Excellency’s giving me the hint, I...
68To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 11 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
An Express from Brigr General Cornell, has just delivered me the inclosed Letters. Every means are taking, to know whether The Fleet therein mentioned, are our Friends, or Enemies: The instant that can be determined with precision, I shall dispatch another Express to Your Excelly. This goes from hence by him who brought Your Letters of the third Instant; my Letter in Answer thereto, went from...
69To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received Your Excellency’s Letter, dated at 4 o’Clock P.M. 20th Instant; Mine to Your Excellency of the 22nd, will sufficiently evince my Attention to provissions; And as to Forage, Colo. Hay assures me he is exerting all his powers to provide a Sufficient Supply. He writes by this conveyance, fully upon the Subject, to General Greene. The Abundance of Green Forage, with Which...
70To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
71To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By return of the Express who carried Your Excellencys letters to General Sullivan, I received the following Answer to my Letter to Him by That conveyance; “I shall immediately write to General Washington, his Answer may perhaps enable me to determine whether I shall undertake The Expedition, or not:” in consequence of This Answer, I remain here, until I know the result of Your Excellencys...
72To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7[–8] November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thursday last I had the pleasure to send a Copy of General Lee’s Letter to Lord Thanet, and on Monday [another of?] one to General Howe, both these I suppose you received [ torn .] I made strickt inquiry as you directed me after [ torn ], and find he died, and was buried about a Week before [ torn Cam?]bridge, the Ten Dollars you paid into my Hands [ torn...
73To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour to write Your Excellency my Letter of this morning I have received the inclosed intelligence from Canada and Rhode-Island. By a Letter the Issuing Commissary has this moment received from Mr Colt, There is hopes the Supply of Flour will be continued; Though we have only Twenty Barrells in Store at present I cannot persuade myself there has been any Natural Scarcity of...
74To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to send Your Excellency the particular Returns of the several Continental Corps serving in this Department—from thence, I have the Satisfaction to find, that the Loss in the Action near Camden, is by no Means so considerable; as I had so much Reason to apprehend. I dispatched a Letter the 9th Inst: to Governor Jefferson, containing Intelligence of a particular Sort,...
75To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Commands of the 26th Ulto, I immediately forwarded The inclosed Letter to General Heath; His Answer went from hence Yesterday forenoon by the Express who was The Bearer of Your Excellency’s packets; Lieutenant Castaing wrote by the same Express to General Du portail, to acquaint The General, of his intention to repair to Head Quarters the instant he is able to...
76To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Instant I had the Honour to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th of this Month, the First that has come to my Hands—Inclosed I have the Pleasure to send you a Copy of a Letter, I received last Night from General Arnold, which I am confident will afford infinite Satisfaction to Your Excellency, as the Disgraceful Retreat of the Enemy from Fort Stanwix, must entirely destroy their...
77To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778. On 21 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with yours of this date.”
78To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 Jan. 1778. On 27 Jan., GW wrote Gates : “Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand.” GW indicated that the first of Gates’s letters of that date referred to the detention of British officers carrying clothing to their prisoners in American hands.
79To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 27 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Gates on 2 Nov. : “I received your favor of the 27th Ulto.”
80To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer has this instant brought me the inclosed intelligence from Canada; I have in consequence Dispatch’d him immediately to Your Excellency. I have not a line from The president of Congress, since The letter which contain’d the Resolve for my removal to this Command; & Your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th Instant, is the last from Your Head Quarters. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant...
81To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Conveyance I have the honour to send Your Excellency, the last Accounts of the proceedings of the Enemy, as well upon Lake Champlain, as New York. I have long been of Opinion, that provided the ensuing Campaign, is Offensive on the side of the British, their Operations will be up the North River, and intirely bent to Attack the Eastern States; this is in some degree, an opinion...
82To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress have doubtless acquainted Your Excellency with Their having sent me Orders to take Command of the Southern Department, and to proceed immediately to petersbourg. as all appearances from that Quarter are exceeding Gloomy, I could wish Your Excellency would somewhat Brighten the Scene, by indulging me in my request, to Obtain Colonel Kuscuiusco for my Chief Engineer. His Services with...
83To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 20 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote Your Excellency the 18th. which was sent from hence By Express, on the Evening of that Day, and would proceed to Taylor’s Ferry, as Mr. Cooper the Stationed Express at Harrisbourg, was, at the Same Time on his Way to this place; the Latter arrived here Yesterday about One oClock A.M. and brought me Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th. Inst. This Letter, came in Time, which was not the...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 8 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of the 3d. Inst. to Your Excellency, Own’d the Receipt of yours of the 28th. Ult. I marched the 6th. Inst. with all the Cavalry that were fit to move from Hillsborough; and that day received the enclosed Letter of the 31st Ult: from General Smallwood. I apprehend the Tardiness of Col. Polk in supplying Provisions, must be occasion’d by the Delay of payment my Bills in his favour have...
85To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to your Excellency by Mr Dodge, who has lately escaped from Quebec, in company with a Sachem of the Cognawaga Nation of Indians; he brings your Excellency the latest, and best intelligence from Canada. I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , NHi : Gates Papers. John Dodge’s undated report, which GW docketed “John Dodge’s acct of the...
86To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall not attempt to describe what, as a private Gentleman, I cannot help feeling, on representing to my Mind, the disagreeable Situation, which confidential Letters, when exposed to public Inspection, may place an unsuspecting Correspondent to; but, as a public Officer, I conjure your Excellency, to give me all the Assistance you can, in tracing out the Author of the Infedelity, which put...
87To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys letter of the 14th Instant with The Resolve of Congress Inclosed; and am happy to have forwarded such Exact, & perfect good intelligence from Canada, as that, which I sent by Mr Dodge, & the Indian Sachem from Quebec; & that, by The Officers who came from Sorel, by Co’os; also General Bayleys, & Col: Bedels letters convey’d by Them. I have concerted...
88To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The former Board, addressed your Excellency on the Subject of General Thompson’s Exchange for a Brigadier General Hamilton captured at Saratoga & now at Cambridge. You were pleased to undertake the Negotiation of the Matter & for that Purpose transmitted a Copy of the Board’s Letter to General Heath. General St Clair has conversed with Brigadier Hamilton who is very desirous of being...
89To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Late last night the Inclosed from General poor, was brought me Express from Ticonderoga. I also inclose Your Excellency a General Return of the Garrison at that post dated the 24th Instant, by which You will perceive the shameful deficiency in the Numbers proper for it’s defence. Artillerists are likewise much Wanted; I always expected Six Companies: Two, is as many as can be said to be there....
90To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to Your Excellency This morning, Two Sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their Escape from the prison Ship last Monday night arrived here; They declare, That The British Fleet of Men of War, Saild Ten days ago in quest of The French Fleet; if this intelligence can be depended upon, may not a very large Body of Troops have gone in, and with The English Fleet; with intent to be...
91To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 15 November 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Packet which Gen: Stephen does me the Favour to deliver you with this Letter, has Travelled to Richmond, and back again to my Hands. Had the person to whom I intrusted it, been half as keen for your receiving it, as he is in the pursuit of his Own Interest, I am confident you would have got my First Letter in due Time. On the 7th: of October I wrote Gen: Washington the Letter, of which the...
92To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr de Wolffen, a Prussian officer, of the rank of lieutenant, will have the honour of delivering your Excellency this letter. He came to America to engage in the service of the United States. He appears to be extremely active and alert; and having been (as he informs us) an Aid Major to an Inspector General of Discipline in the Prussian Armies, we conceived he might be a useful assistant to...
93To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informed, by the inclosed reports, from Brigr General Cornell, who Commands at Tiverton; and Colo. Christopher Greene, who Commands at Greenwich; That a Fleet of The Enemy’s Sailed this Morning from Newport. By the best Intelligence I can obtain, they have on board, the 54th British—the Landgraves German, and Colo. Fanning’s Tory Regiments, with a Detachment of Artillerists....
94To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 9 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As we are much Distress’d for Carriages to Transport Provisions and Stores for this Army; I must beg Leave to request, Your Excellency, will prevail upon the Executive of Virginia to Order a Brigade of Ten Waggons from each of the Neighbouring Counties of this State from Mecklinbourg < Hallifax, Pittsylvania, & Henry > North Westward to Transport Stores, and provisions < from Taylors Ferry to...
95To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 31 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
After taking an Exact View of The Works The Enemy Erected, to The Northward, & Eastward of Newport, I find it will be a much Heavier piece of Labour to Destroy them, than I immagined when I first wrote to Your Excellency. I have therefore earnestly Sollicited The Governour, & his Council, to give me such Assistance as the State can be prevailed on to Affored, toward Effecting the Destruction...
96To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last Night the inclosed Letter, & paper of Intelligence, came to my Hands from the Council of The State of Massachusetts Bay; at their Request I forward it immediately by Express to Your Excellency — The informant being an Enemy, ought to be believed with Caution, indeed there are circumstances which induce me to think His Intelligence is by no means to be dispised, in the Main, I am inclined...
97To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After sending upwards of Five Thousand Men to the Succour of the Southern Army, I hoped a further Draught from this Department would have been unnecessary; but Colonel Hamilton acquaints me, it was the Unanimous Opinion of a Council of War, that the whole of the Eastern Regiments should March from hence, & that Troops were only to be stationed at peeks Kill, And in the Highlands, for the...
98To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 21 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing your Excellency yesterday upon a variety of important subjects. One has since arose which may properly fall within your Excellency’s notice. The mark’d lines of the enclosed letter from Baron De Kalb have induced me to order the remains of Buford’s, Gibson’s, and Brent’s Regiments, to join the army under my command, as early as possible. No objection can arise in...
99To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 22 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent your Excellency a large Packet Yesterday by Captain Pendleton of The Caroline County Militia. He was directed to deliver it to the Stationed Express on Roanoak near Taylors Ferry who had a Written Order from me to set out with it immediately for the next Stage. The Letter for The Congress, Board of War &c., I conclude Your Excellency will forward with the like dispatch. This morning Mr....
100To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This is Just to acquaint your Excellency that I am endeavouring all in power to Execute your Commands received by Colonel Fitzgerald, as well as those lately sent through him by Your Excellency: The confusion created by the Militia is past all Description, but patience and perseverance will I hope bring things to Order. a few days ago a General C. Martial Condemn’d a Deserter who has inlisted...