31From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday reached me in the night—Your observations on the probable intentions of the enemy are forcible—The capture or destruction of the French fleet appears to be the most important object they can have on the continent; and it is very possible they may have it in contemplation, though the time they have lost since they have had the superiority at sea and the advanced season...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Armand being now on the recruiting service to the Eastward, I am to desire that you will furnish him with orders on the Clothier at Boston for cloathing all the recruits he now has or shall hereafter make, for which he will previously furnish you with authenticated returns. I am Sir Your most Obed. servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
35From 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...
36From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday, your favor of the 28th Ulto, and was sorry to find you were in want of flour. I had a Letter written immediately to the Commissary upon the occasion—and from his account, I hope you have obtained a supply before this. He says three or four parcels had gone from Danbury for Hartford in the course of the Week, and that more was on the road from Fredericksburg. Besides these...
37From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The report of a French Fleet’s being on the Coast, as mentioned in my letter of the 11th is confirmed. I received last night advices from Congress, that a Ship of 90—2 of 80—8 of 74—1 of 64 and 4 of 36 Guns were off Chingoteague on Wednesday last, where they fell in with, and sunk the Lydia of 26 Guns on a cruise from New York. The Fleet is under the command of Admiral Count D’Estaing, and was...
38From 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...
39George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 29, 1778 . States that Congress has ordered Gates to Boston to assume command there. Advises recall of militia at Boston. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
40From 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...
41George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 7, 1778 . Discusses probable British moves. Instructs Gates to repair certain roads to the eastward. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
42From 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...
43From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your several communications of the 3d and 4th Inst. The relation of the two deserters is certainly of a serious complexion, could we confide in its reality. But the reasons for denying it any great degree of credit are not a few. Of the different observers in New-York and those places proper for attending to the motions of the fleet, not one has made any return of...
44From 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...
45From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that at seven oClock yesterday morning, both armies advanced on each other—at noon they met on the grounds near Monmouth Court house, where an action commenced—we forced the enemy to retire, and encamped on the Field of battle—they took a strong post in our front, well secured on both flanks by a Morass and thick woods—and remained there till midnight at which...
46From 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...
47From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday by Majr Marshall who delivered the prisoners Farnsworth and Blair to the provost. The Crime of passing counterfeit Bills of Credit, by which our currency has been extremely depreciated, added to the strong suspicion of their being both Spies, will render it necessary to have them executed according to their Sentences. I shall direct a sensible Clergyman to get as...
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From 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,...
51From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Mcdougall forwarded Major Grays letter to you, to me. I have no account from General Scott of any troops having lately gone from New York to the Narrows. The party that went to Jersey were reinforced, and perhaps that might have occasioned the mistake. I do not apprehend any attempt agt this Army, but to be prepared for contingencies, I am to desire, if the Enemy should make a...
52George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 19, 1779 . Asks for a muster of Massachusetts troops under Gates’s command. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
53From 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...
54George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 27, 1779 . Transmits second copy of general orders concerning re-enlistments during the war. States that there has been no official confirmation of the southern victory. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 21, 1779 . Expresses concern over discontent in the Army. Reports steps taken to replenish Gates’s magazines. Criticizes Major General John Sullivan’s method of handling deficiencies in rations. Asks Gates to remedy situation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
56From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a variety of concurring circumstances and the general information of persons coming from philadelphia it would appear, that the Enemy mean to evacuate the City, and accordingly are preparing to embark. Some accounts are, that part of the Heavy Cannon & baggage are already on board, and the whole agree that all the Transports are taking in wood and water. Whether an evacuation is really...
57From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the arrangement of the Army. Be pleased to draw off Sherburns, S. Webbs and J. Livingstons Regiments to Kings Road or somewhere upon your left flank with orders to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments warning; and whenever Baron Kalb with the front division of the Army arrives near your Camp be pleased to order Enos’s and McClenachans [McClellan’s] Regiments to...
58From 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,...
59From 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,...
60George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 6, 1779 . Asks Gates to examine rank of Captain Ezra Lunt. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.