1To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 19 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the last Alexandria Post I had the Honour to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th of November, Inclosing your Circular Letter of the 31st of October. I am truly Sorry Your Excellency Declines the Presidency of The Cincinnati, as I conceive your continuing at the Head of the Society, indispensibly necessary to the Support of The Order. The very high consideration and Respect, in which...
2George Washington and Horatio Gates to the Virginia Legislature, 28 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia Pursuant to the resolves of the Honble the Senate & House of Delegates, and conformably to the direction of the Executive authority of the State, we repaired to the City of Annapolis, and held a Conference with Gentlemen appointed by the Legislature of Maryland—the result of which is contained in the Inclosure, No. 1. In...
3To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 24 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Believe me Sir were I in Health fit to attend the Committee this Evening I would on no account fail to do it but I feel I must go to bed instead of going to Mans. You are so perfectly Master of the Business, that my Assent to your Opinions is all I have to say upon the Subject; this you may be sure of having, whenever that is called for—when a Vote must Decide, I will get a Coach, & come at...
4To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 29 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to represent to Your Excellency, that Mr William Clajon was my Secretary early in 1776—and that on the 9th of January 1777 Congress confirmed this Appointment, and added to it—that of Interpreter for the Northern Department. In this situation he has continued ’till now, without any military Rank. Like other public Officers he has claims upon the attention of the Public; and,...
5From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 15 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the Orders of the 11th instant, the Officers of the American Army being convened, His Excellency the Commander in Chief was pleased to open the meeting with the following address to them on the subject of their being called together which with some other papers were left for the consideration of the Assembly. The Honorable Major General Gates being President. (Here follows the...
6To 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...
7From 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...
8From 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...
9To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 9 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received the inclosed letter from General Putnam,—as I am not directed to grant furloughs to Officers of his rank—I take the liberty to refer his request to Your Excellency; and as I think it would be presumption in me, I shall not offer my opinion of the merit of his petition—being fully satisfied with whatever your Excellency shall please to order thereupon—with very Great...
10From 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 .
11To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
After paying all due respect to your Excellency’s order of the 17th Ultimo, and after having heard and examined, what the parties had to alledge in support of their claim to be posted to the lieutenant colonelcies of the fourth and Sixth Massachusetts regiments vacated by the appointments of Lieut. Colonels Millen and Cobbe to be Lieut. Colonels commandant of the Third and fifth regiments of...
12To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 23 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellency’s Orders, we the undersigned met at Ellisons, and took into consideration that part of The Memorial presented to Your Excellency by Brigadr General Hazen, & a number of officers of his Regiment, wherein they set forth, that by the partiallity of the Judge advocate, Mr Edwards in Conducting the Proceedings of a General Court Martial lately Assembled for the Trial of...
13To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 31 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellency’s approbation of Doctor Evans’s proposal for erecting a public building communicated in the general orders of the 25th instant—The commanding officers of brigades, and regiments, assembled at my quarters, on friday last-- and directed a committee from their body, to fix upon a proper place for the Scite thereof, and to report on monday; when the officers were...
14From George Washington to Denis-Jean-Florimond Langlois de Montheville, marquis Du Bouchet, 8 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
From the annexed Certificate from Major General Gates under whose command Major Debouchet principally served while in the American Army, and from my own observations while under my immediate command, I have every reason to recommend him as an Officer of Zeal—Intelligence and Bravery. Given at Head Quarters at Newburg the 8th of December 1782. DLC . These Certify that The Bearer, Major...
15From 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...
16To 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,...
17From 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...
18To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 17 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Lincoln has in his letter of yesterday acquainted me that it is your Excellencys desire to know, if I wish to take Command in the Army this Campaign. I beg your Excellency to believe that I am always ready to Obey your Commands, and shall be most happy when I can execute them to your satisfaction; I have but to entreat, that no attention to me, or my Rank , may interfere, or break in,...
19From 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...
20To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 20 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Upon Your Excellencys return to Philadelphia, Colonel Tilghman acquainted Mr Clajon, that you had wrote to me in Virginia—as I have not received any acknowledgement of the Receipt of either of my Letters to Your Excellency of the 22th of May, & 7th of October Last, I should be wanting to myself not to acquaint you therewith; The Season has been such, that we have not received any Letters or...
21From 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...
22To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 7 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Secrecy & Expedition of Your Excellencys movement from the North River, defeated my Wish to have paid you my Compliments in person upon your Route, as I never knew of your being upon the March, until you had passed Alexandria—in this remote Corner, we seldom see a News paper, & though we ought to have a post once a Fortnight we are in that often disappointed. I hope your Excellency...
23To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 22 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been Honoured with your Letter of the 12th Inst. declaring to me that no charges having been brought against me before your Excellency, The Court of Inquiry into my Conduct could proceed upon no other principls in the Military Way, than the Resolves of Congress of the 5th of October last. Having been informed, that Congress had no Charges against me, I transmitted to them by the...
24From 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...
25To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honour to write Your Excellency was from Berkeley in Virginia the 15th of January. I wish it was discovered by what Artifice your Dispatches of the 8th of October were detain’d Sixty Four days with Evident Marks of their having been open’d before they reach’d me, as I already mention’d in my last Letter; The Injuries which the Public, as well as myself may have...
26To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The 2d of last month General Greene presented me your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d of October —and upon the 10th following, Capt. Hughes of the First Regt of Dragoons, delivered me that of the 8th of October from Pasaick falls—he said it was given him by one of the staff Department, who had pick’d it up upon the road—it had evident marks of having been opened by the way. By General Green’s...
27George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Has been directed by Congress to order a court of inquiry into Gates’s conduct as “Commander of the Southern Army.” States that Major General Nathanael Greene has been instructed to take over Gates’s command during inquiry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
28From 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...
29To 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,...
30To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the Day before Yesterday the Honor to receive your Excellency’s Letter, dated the 8th August from Orange Town. It gave me infinite Satisfaction to find, you had baffled Sir Harry Clinton’s Designs, and was to all Appearance in so prosperous a Situation. Heaven grant you the greatest Honor and Success. As to the Situation of Affairs here, since my last Letter to Your Excellency of the...
31To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
My public Letter to Congress, has surely been transmitted to Your Excellency. Since then, I have been able to collect authentic Returns of the Kill’d Wounded and Missing of the Officers of the Maryland Line, Delawar Regt Artillerists, and those of the Legion under Colo. Armand, they are inclosed —The Militia broke so early in the Day, and scattered in so many Directions, upon their Retreat;...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From 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...
35From 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...
36To 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...
37George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] June 4, 1780 . Asks Gates “whether the situation of [his] private affairs will permit [him] to take the field this campaign or not.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
38From 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...
39From 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...
40From 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...
41To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Your Excellencys Letter dated the 13th Instant. I shall immediately Give Orders for all the Troops (Col: Greens Exceptted) to March tomorrow morning for peeks-Kill, I have this minute acquainted The Commanding Officer of Col. Green’s Regiment that His Corps, is to return to providence. I am apprehensive they have not The means of moving the Stores, & the park of...
42To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders contain’d in Your Excellencys Letters of the First, & Second Instant, I march’d the whole of the Continental Troops from the State of Rhode Island; and arrived Yesterday morning, with the First Division, consisting of a Detachment of Col. Cranes Artillery, with Two Six pounders, Col. Livingstones, Col: Jacksons, & Col: Webbs Regiments, at Hartford. The Second...
43From 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...
44To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Thursday Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the First Instant and immediately gave Orders for moving the Continental Troops over the Bay to Greenwich, but the Weather proving so very Stormy the whole day, that could not be Effected before Saturday Evening; I came myself that Night to providence, and Gave Orders for Jacksons Regiment, Station’d here, to March this...
45From 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...
46From 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...
47To 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...
48To 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.”
49From 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...
50From 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...