1To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose for Your Excellency’s Determination, a petition I have just received from the Canadian Soldiers in Col: James Livingston’s Regiment. Baron Stuben assured me, he would make such Report of that Regiment to your Excellency, as would induce some orders to be taken thereupon, the most Beneficial to the public Service; at present they are a very unprofitable Corps to the...
2To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th instant relative to the Laboratory at Lebanon. It has been with no small Concern that we have percieved the Affairs in the Commissary General’s Department exceedingly deranged. We cannot find any Neglect in the Gentleman at the Head of it as we believe him to be an active & good Officer. But the same Discontents &...
3To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter I have lately received from Colonel Hughes, is the following paragraph. “I am to acquaint You that a Regiment of Foreigners are stationed at Springfield, by Order of General Heath. They are Commanded by a French Colonel; but I cannot help thinking them very dangerous at that post, as most, if not all of them, were lately under General Burgoyne.” I imagine this must be Colonel...
4To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter I received Yesterday by the Bearer Doctor Johnston, from General Stark —From intelligence from different places, corresponding with each Other, there is the Strongest reason to believe, that The Enemy meditate an Attack, both by Sea, & Land, upon Boston, and The French Fleet; indeed, they can now, have no Other Objects; in my Letter to Congress of the 3d June last, I...
5To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of the Letter with which I have charged Mr Lewis to the president of The Honourable The Continental Congress; it is too disagreeable a Tale to dwell on, I shall not therefore enlarge upon it; I beg the Favour Mr Lewis may have your Orders not to Delay in New York, but proceed immediately to Philadelphia. General Sullivan has probably by this Time seen your Excellency, he...
6To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At five yesterday evening, I had the honour to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th: Inclosed is the proceedings of a General Court Martial held upon two Men, suspected to be Spies; they are sent to Your Excellency under the care of Brigade Major Marshall, who has a quantity of Counterfeit Money to deliver to Your Excellency, that was found upon the delinquents. The Prisoner,...
7To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having most attentively examin’d the several important Objects, which Your Excellency recommended to the consideration of each Member who Composed the late Council of War, I find from the uncertainty of Your Excellencys intelligence, respecting the Designs of the Enemy; That two opinions are to be Given. The One; in Case The Fleet, & Army now in, and near New York, & upon Rhode Island, should...
8To 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,...
9To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Own the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th, Instant, and find the Enemy (although ready to remove) had not then evacuated Philadelphia. Some great decisive Stroke in War, or politicks, must immediately determine the Line of Conduct the Commissioners resolve to take. I am only vexed, so much precious time is lost upon our Side, by those whose duty it is to...
10To 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...
11To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 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.”
12To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st Instant, with the intelligence from Lord Stirling inclosed; being then at Springfield, I sent an Express to General Poor, immediately, with Copies thereof. I arrived here Yesterday Morning, and find General Heath has indulged the Convention Troops, to remain until Monday Morning in their present Quarters, as they hourly expect...
13To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some new piece of Tyranny & Barbarity is constantly turning up on the part of the Enemy. The Board have received information of one in which they request your E[x]cellency’s assistance. A Colonel Daniel Heister Jr of this State an active good whig who in the association formerly existing here had a Regiment of Militia, applied to the former Board of War in the course of last June for...
14To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning early, I was honoured by the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 11th—dated from pyramus Church. In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Commands, to give my Opinion of the Disposition to be immediately made, of the Troops marching with Your Excellency, I presume to say, that I perfectly approve of Your Excellency’s keeping the Right Wing, & Second Line of the Grand Army, upon...
15To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honour’d with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant, from White Marsh. I have never entertained the smallest Idea, that General Burgoyne should be permitted to Change the port of Embarkation, or that the least variation of the Spirit, and Letter of the Convention, would be indulged to the Troops under his Command. There is no doubt, but the British Regiments...
16To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold this moment received from me Your Excellencys Letter to Him of the 14th Instant—From Intelligence, which he thinks authentic, Rhode Island has been some time in possession of the Enemy, and so considerable a Force from Connecticut had Assembled Opposite to Bristol Ferry, as to render any Further attempt of the British Forces impracticable in that Quarter. upon mature...
17To 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...
18To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by The Honorable The Board of War to acquaint Your Excellency, that they have Order’d the Hessian paymaster, who had your pass in May last to go to Lancaster, & to return from thence to N. York, to be detain’d at His Quarters in this City, until Your Excellencys further Directions concerning him can be known; It is with Reason Suspected that Certain Tories, & Enemies of the United...
19To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 26 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 24th Inst. by the Bearer as I expect Genl Lee is now upon his return hither, I shall wait his Arrival & proceed immediately with him to Head Quarters. By a Letter I have just received from Lieut: Col. Troup, dated Fish Kill the 18th Instant, I am inform’d, that Col: Hughes D. Q. M. General in that Department either has, or is about to...
20To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 18 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 18 Feb. 1778. On 23 Feb., GW wrote Gates: “I am honoured with your two favours of the 14th and 18th instant.”
21To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose Your Excellency the Report of Brigadier General parsons, who is just returned from a reconnoitring party towards Kingsbridge. Various are the Conjectures that may be formed upon this Intelligence, as the facility with which the Enemy may move by water, puts all possible Finesse in their power. Yesterday Evening I received a Letter from Colonel Lamb, acquainting me he had halted the...
22To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter was this minute put into my Hands with a number more, and being a good deal interrupted with other Business at the time, I open’d it by mistake; for which I must entreat Your Excellency’s pardon. Colonel Sherburnes Report inclosed, will Satisfy You that The Troops will pass at Kings Ferry, without the Smallest insult from the Enemy. I hope my Letter to Your Excellency of...
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...
24To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive your Excellencies Letter of the 14 Instant which is all I have been favoured with since that of the 19th of July. I have at length the Satisfaction to send a pretty correct General Return of the Army in this Part of the Northern District of America; a Copy of my last Letter to General Schuyler, which is in the Packet, will explain the Return to your...
25To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote Gates : “I have been favd with yours of the . . . 31st ulto.”
26To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General MacDougall has made me the inclosed Return of the Strength of the Enemy’s Army, in, and about New York; which I have the Honour, by this Conveyance, to transmit to Your Excellency. The General seems thoroughly Satisfied, that the Return is a true State of the Enemy’s Army in this Neighbourhood: After this, I have not the Smallest doubt, but Your Excellency will provide immediately, for...
27To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Deputy Q. M. General in This Department, Colonel Bowen, who was Absent in the Country upon the Duty of his Station when the Express arrived from Head Quarters, sent me late last Night Your Excellencys Letter of the 21st Instant, it being inclosed in His packet from General Green. As it will now be too late for any of the Army with your Excellency, to Disappoint the Enemys immediate Views...
28To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honour’d with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday’s date. The Orders respecting the Cloathing of these three Brigades, shall, as far as in my power, be complied with; I have this morning written to Major Measam, and inclosed Your Excellency’s Letter to him, upon that Subject. A great Quantity of Flour has passed through this Town, this Summer, in it’s way to...
29To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the Action of the 19th Instant, the Enemy have kept the Ground they Occupied the Morning of that Day; And fortified their Camp. The Advanced Centrys of my piquets, are posted within Shot, And Opposite the Enemy’s; neither side have given Ground an Inch. In this Situation, Your Excellency would not wish me to part with the Corps the Army of General Burgoyne are most Afraid of. From the...
30To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented your Excellency by Major Hubley, who acted as Brigade Major to the Baron De Wedtke, being desirous to go to Philadelphia upon his Private Affairs, I have granted him permission, He is a Young Gentleman of Character in his Profession, and as such I introduce him to your Excellency. Brigade Major Scull accompanies Major Hubley, he goes to New York at the request of...
31To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I laid the Letter containing Your Excellency’s Requisition for the Cannon of The Somerset Ship of War, to be sent to the North River, before the Council of this State; and received the Answer inclosed. All the lower Deck Guns, twenty Six in Number, with Nineteen of those of the Upper Deck, with their Carriages, are brought from Cape Cod to Castle Island, where they now remain. Captain...
32To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 9 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to send Your Excellency, a Request of the Officers of Col: Webb’s Regiment; Also a Letter I received Yesterday from Lieutt Edwards, who has my directions to take Charge of The prisoners at—Rutland. I understand Major Mersereau’s Wife was in His Absence from Boston last Winter, Wheedled away by an Officer of The Convention Troops; I suppose the Major is gone to Virginia, in...
33To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Question the First. Whether any, or what Operations can now be undertaken? Answer. Want of certain intelligence of The Enemys motions, & designs; of their present Strength, and Numbers, at the posts, Stations, & Territorys, they possess; want of exact information of the State of the Army under Gen: Sullivan; want of Knowledge of what Magazine of Flour, is, or can be provided in the Eastern...
34To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
in obedience to your Excellencys directions I send the within Letter to The president of Congress, which contains the Letters of Earl Balcarres; a Report prevails that the Enemy have Evacuated Fort Independence, and Their Works at Kingsbridge—I have nothing further from Major Gray since the letter of the 9th Inst:, which I transmitted to Your Excellency. I am Sir Your most Obedient Humble...
35To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Major Taylor, will Satisfy your Excellency that the Arms mention’d in your Letter to me of the 26th Instant, were, by some mistake of the Quartermasters, detain’d a few hours upon the road to Easton. and then, without further interruption forwarded according to your Order—I never gave any countermand concerning them; so the Asperity which is so remarkable in your Excellencys...
36To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772. On 3 July GW wrote Gates : “Your favour of the 10th of May came to my hand.”
37To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter of 4th Instant, which I had the Honour to receive from Your Excellency, has relieved me from unspeakable Uneasiness. I now Anticipate the Pleasure it will give you, when you discover that what has been conveyed to you for an Extract of General Conway’s Letter to me, was not an Information, which friendly Motives induced a Man of Honour to give, that injured Virtue might be...
38To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I earnestly entreat your Excellency will be pleased to permit Col: Kuscuiusco to be The Engineer to serve with The Troops marching under my Command; if I had not an Affectionate regard for This amiable Foreigner, I should upon no Account have made this my request—The out Works at West point are in a manner finish’d & the Body of the place in such forwardness, as to put it in The power of The...
39To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant from Morris Town; and wish I could say, any of The Troops expected to Arrive at Kenderhook, Claverack, or Red Hook, had reached either of those places; when I am acquainted therewith, Your Excellency may be Assured of my strictly fulfilling your Commands. I have directed the Commissary to purchase, and send in the Vessels...
40To 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,...
41To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler, who left us the 10th Instant, promised me to give Your Excellency a very particular Account of the State of the Northern Army; I conclude he has done it, but it might not have reach’d your Hands when the post left New York the 19th Instant; Your Excellency’s Letter of That date, is now before me. The Board of General Officers mentioned by your Excellency, were Assembled by...
42To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon being informed by Mr Cuyler, Commissary General in this Department, that he had no Salt Meat in Store, the whole that was provided for this Army being lost at Ticonderoga, I directed him to apply to the D.Q.M. General at Peeks Kill, to order a Supply from thence to Albany—he has acquainted me Yesterday by Letter, that there is a Quantity of Salt Provisions at a Magazine in Ulster County,...
43To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778. On 20 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with your two Letters of to day, (one inclosing a return) for which I thank you.” Only one letter of 20 July from Gates has been found.
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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;...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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,...
50To 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...