31From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 11th instant. From the progress of General Lovells operations at Penobscot, I should have little doubt of his success, were it not for the Reinforcement said to have gone from New York (notice of which I transmitted the Council of Massachusetts) which I fear will arrive before General McLean can be brought to surrender. It will at least render the Work more...
32George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 11, 1779. Asks Gates to cooperate with Baron von Steuben. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
33From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Baron De Steuben who will deliver you this, sets out tomorrow morning, on his journey to Providence, with intention to make the necessary arrangements relative to his department with the troops under your command. I have no doubt you will afford him every aid in your power to complete them as speedily as possible and to carry the regulations into effect. The importance of the...
34From 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...
35George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 29, 1779. Discusses probable destination of British troops sailing from England. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
36George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 25, 1779. Discusses problems of rations and ordnance supplies. Describes American attack on Stony Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
37From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 18th With respect to the ration for the Artificers at Springfield it ought to be regulated by the contract which has been made with them as far as the state of supplies will permit—As you can best judge of this being on the spot, I shall be obliged to you to give direction to the Commissary accordingly. I do not know by what authority the usual ration...
38George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 10, 1779 . Describes latest British and American moves. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
39From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Three hours ago I received your favour of the 7th—I cannot conceive how my letter of the 27th was so long detained—immediately on closing it, it was sent to Colo. Hay to forward it. Your information respecting the movements in this quarter was erronious—Previous to my last the enemy after strongly fortifying the two posts of Stoney Point and Verplank’s, and leaving sufficient garrisons for...
40George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 30, 1779 . Asks Gates to send Brigadier General John Glover’s brigade to join the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
41From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th was delivered me an hour ago. Inclosed you will receive a duplicate of mine of the 27th least there should be a miscarraige. If you have not detached any troops from your command before this reaches you, you will be pleased instantly to dispatch Glover’s Brigade to Join this Army; with direction to make as much expedition as they can without injuring the troops. This order is...
42George 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.
43From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I received your favour of the 21st. Two General Orders of the 7th & 12th of Feby 1779. founded upon a resolve of Congress therein mentioned designate the rules which are to govern the reinlistments during the war. This order was transmitted at the time by the Adjutant General to his assistant at Providence, and he tells me he had heard of its being received—Indeed it is a...
44George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] June 13, 1779 . Reports that Brigadier General Henry Knox will send a reinforcement of artillerymen. Will again ask Congress for money that Gates needs. Sends news from South. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
45From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your letter of the 8th. Mine to you of the 11th will accompany this to which I refer you. No opportunity having offered, it has been delayed. I have directed General Knox to send you a reinforcement of Artillery men. One company he informs me is all that the general exigencies of the service will permit him to spare. By the establishment of the ordnance department, when...
46George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] June 11, 1779 . Laments Gates’s poor prospects for reinforcements. Disagrees that an attack on New York was feasible as the number of men in the Army was far less than that estimated by Gates. Gives information on British strength and position. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
47From 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...
48George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
M [ iddle ] B [ rook, New Jersey ] May 26, 1779 . Encloses letter requesting Major General William Heath to report to Headquarters. Encloses another letter to Lieutenant Pierre de Castaing la Grace from Brigadier General Du Portail. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter to Major General Heath directing him to repair to Head Quarters which I request you will forward to him. Another letter accompanies this from Brigadier General Du Portail to Mr De Castaing of Colonel Jacksons regiment, which you will also be pleased to have forwarded—The subject of it is, to offer Mr De Castaing an appointment in his family for which he has my consent—If...
50George 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.
51From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am duly favored with your letter of the 7th. Immediately on the receipt of it, I forwarded the inclosed packet to Congress and seconded your application. I have since learnt though not from authority that a supply of money must have reached you ere this. I am equally concerned and alarmed at the dangerous spirit which has appeared in the troops under your command from the unfortunate causes...
52George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, [14] May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May [ 14 ] 1779 . Regrets that prospects for reinforcements are so unpromising. Encloses a congressional resolve concerning the defense of Rhode Island. States that Virginia levies are to be sent to the South. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
53From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 25 of April. I am extremely sorry to find that your prospects of reinforcements from the neighbouring states were so unpromising—indeed it is to be lamented that our general force is very unequal to the extensive demands upon it, and that there seem to be no adequate exertions making by the different States to remedy the deficiency. You Sir, who are well...
54George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, [8–9] May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May [ 8–9 ] 1779 . Reports that Colonel Armand is recruiting in the eastern states. Asks Gates to furnish Armand with orders for clothing for the men recruited. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is endorsed twice, once as May 8 and again as May 9.
55From 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 .
56George 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.
57From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a representation in favour of Capt. Lunt, which is expressed in such strong terms and sanctionned by the names of so many respectable officers, as to deserve particular attention. His case seems to be singularly hard; but at this distance without an opportunity of inquiring circumstantially into the affair, I cannot undertake to make a different arrangement from that which has...
58From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the due receipt of your two favors both of the 12th instant, and their several inclosures. The paragraph in your letter relative to money for paying off the Troops I have transmitted to Congress. I herewith send you a resolution of Congress of the 14th on the case of Major Harnage and Capt. Hawker of the Convention Troops with which you will be pleased to make him...
59George 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.
60From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter of which the inclosed is a copy from the honorable the president of the State of Massachusetts, requiring authenticated musters of their fifteen batalions, to be laid before the assembly at the next session, to enable them to know and supply the deficiency. You will be pleased, therefore, forthwith to have such musters made of that part of the Massachusetts...
61George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 17, 1779 . Orders Gates to have Brigadier General John Glover’s brigade ready to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
62From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be under the necessity of drawing away a part of the troops now under your command to be employed elsewhere—You will therefore be pleased to direct General Glover’s Brigade to hold itself in readiness to march at the shortest notice—I hope the powerful aids of Militia, which you may call in on any emergency, in conjunction with the force still remaining and the 1500 troops to be raised...
63George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 12, 1779 . Reports that Major General John Sullivan has arrived at Headquarters, and that Major Henry Harnage’s request has been sent to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
64From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your several letters of the 4th 16th 24th & 28th of March. General Sullivan arrived the day before yesterday at this place. Though Major Harnage appears to be peculiarly situated, and to have a claim to the indulgence he requests; I do not think myself at liberty to grant it without the permission of Congress. I have transmitted his letter to them, and I shall be...
65George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 6, 1779 . Discusses proposed Indian expedition. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
66From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed copy of a resolution of the 25 of feby last, you will perceive it is the desire of Congress that some offensive expedition should be carried on against the Indians, the ensuing campaign. With an eye to a measure of this kind, I have some time since directed preparations to be made at such places as appeared to me most proper for the purpose; to be completed by the 1st day of...
67From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 27th Decemr and of the 15th and 26th January. That of the 15th did not reach me untill the 12th instant. I was at Philada when yours of the 27th December came to hand, and I reported to Congress the answer of the Council of Massachusetts respecting the Guns of the Somerset. I was sometime ago informed by Genl Bayley that he thought the Magazine at Coos was...
68From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 23 Ulto. General Heath by a letter towards the beginning of last month informed that there were some sick officers and men of the Convention troops, and some officers having families, who could not proceed with the other troops to Charlotte’s Ville by a land march; and their going by sea was proposed. I did not think myself authorised to decide in the...
69From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the [thirteenth] inst. by Mr Dodge and of the 16th by Capt. Bailey. Dodge is by far the best acquainted with the communication between the St Lawrence and Detroit of any person I have met with and should the situation of our affairs admit of an expedition by way of Lake Erie, he will be truely valuable not only from his acquaintance with the country but from his knowledge...
70From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14–16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th. We are yet under as much uncertainty as ever respecting the evacuation of New York. My advices from Lord Stirling of the 11th say that another fleet of one hundred sail had collected at the watering place, and that they had some Hessians and troops of other kinds on board, but he does not mention the estimated number. He also adds that but few ships are left at...
71From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am led to beleive by a letter from Major Genl Phillips, that he may not, in consequence of the late Resolve of Congress, have recd orders to remove to Virginia with the Convention Troops. He had been for some time past, for particular reasons, confined to the limits of his House and Garden by Genl Heath, who informs me that he recd the approbation of Congress for so doing, and upon...
72From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you an Extract from a Letter just received from Lord Stirling, advising that a fleet of 108 sail left the Hook & stood to sea on the morning of the 3d. I have no other intelligence than what this contains. You will be pleased to forward the Letters for His Excellency Count D’Estaing & the Honble Mr powell. I am Sir Your Most Obedt servant P.S. You will find inclosed a...
73From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 3 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 29th Ulto, I transmi<tted> you a Copy of a Resolution of Congress, directing the removal of the Convention Troops; a copy similar to which had been forwarded before to General Heath. By a Letter from him of the 28th, he asks whether it may not be best for their Heavy baggage to be sent by Water. It appea<rs> to me that it will, and it may be waterborne, as far as the falls...
74From 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...
75George 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.
76From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Harrison transmitted you by my direction yesterday, together with some dispatches to yourself from Congress, the copy of a Resolve inclosed to me, directing you to repair to Boston and take the command in the Eastern district. On the departure of the fleet which sailed from the Hook the 19th and 20th, I recommended to General Heath to call out a body of Militia from the vicinity of...
77George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 27, 1778 . Speculates on British intentions. Instructs Gates to obtain clothing for men and to return old clothing to deputy clothier general. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
78From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your two favours of the 25th with their inclosures. The intelligence from Major Gray corresponds in many respects with the general tenor of my advices—The circumstance of the Merchants packing up is what I have not yet obtained any satisfactory account of and is what I am particularly desirous to have ascertained, as it would be decisive of the enemy’s intention to...
79From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last of the 24th, I advised you of the sailing of a fleet from the hook on the 19th and early the 20th supposed to contain those troops which we had repeatedly heard were embarked. I have just received advices thro’ different channels, and which cannot but be certain and authentic, that there were none but invalids and officers of reduced corps on board—and that the troops which had...
80George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 24, 1778 . Reports that troops have been ordered eastward. Orders Gates to area threatened by British in the event of a British landing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress