51From 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...
52From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed the Warrant for executing the Deserter—The blanks you will fill up, and direct the Ceremony as You please. Will it not be adviseable to arrange & equip the Troops under Innoculation in Philada? That, on an Emergency, they may be of some service. Another skirmish happened Yesterday between Genl Maxwell & about 2000 from Amboy, they came to forage—The Genl writes me that he has...
53From 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...
54From 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...
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 .
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From 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...
61From 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...
62From 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...
63From 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...
64From 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...
65From 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...
66From 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...
67From 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...
68From 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...
69From 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...
70From 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...
71From 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,...
72From 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,...
73From 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...
74From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between 11 & 12 to day I received your favor of the 25 by Major Armstrong. The movement you proposed to make I highly approve and thank you for it. Whether any reinforcements would have come from york is a matter which neither of us can determine—but this will certainly prevent it. I wish you to take every means in your power to keep up their ideas of an attack & have not the smallest doubt...
75From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received to day the favour of your two letters of the 27th and 28th Ulto with a Copy of General Arnolds. The raising of the Seige of Fort Schuyler, is fortunate indeed, and I trust will free us from any further Apprehensions of an Invasion in that Quarter this campaign, if it does not produce a friendly and favourable change in the dispositions of the Indians towards us. It is to be wished,...
76From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am very much afraid that all the Troops on their march from the Southward will be infected with the small pox, and that instead of having an Army here, we shall have an Hospital. I know of no other way to prevent this, than not to suffer any more of the Southern Troops to come in to Philada they may be marched into German town and remain there while their Arms and Accoutrements are...
77From 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...
78From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of 23d Ulto came to hand Yesterday with the inclos’d returns which I think are very extraordinary ones, particularly Colo. Penrose’s as I well remember having asked him early in December how his Regiment fill’d, & his answer as well as I can recollect was, that he then had got 300 Men—The returns of Desertion given in to you appear to be utterly impossible, should therefore be glad...
79From 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...
80From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of yesterdays date I have had so many different Accts of the Militias term of Service expiring, or being upon the point of doing so, that I am obliged, in the most pressing manner to desire, that you will order all the Continental Troops on to this place, except those who have never had the small pox, and are detain’d for Inoculation (which I earnestly beg may be hastened as...
81From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The frequent complaints of the Brigade Majors and Adjutants for want of writing Paper obliges me to call the attention of the Board to the procurement of that necessary article. Colo. Pickering can inform them how much the service suffers on that account, from his experience while in the Office of Adjutant General. I know it properly belongs to the Quarter Master Generals department to provide...
82From 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...
83From 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...
84From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being indispensibly necessary that some general plan of operation should be settled for the present Campaign; and perceiving that Congress have been pleased to appoint you to command on the North River —I am to request, if you should not find it too inconvenient, that you will make a digression from your route thither, and favor me with a call at this Camp, that we may enter upon a...
85From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday was handed me in the afternoon—I thank you for the communication of Major Gray’s letter. I have received a correspondent account from another quarter, with only this difference, that there is said to have been forty instead of twenty five sail in the Sound. I am assured by the Gentlemen who are charged with procuring intelligence in the Jerseys, that the English fleet...
86From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 17th by Major Campbell. Our number of effectives is so reduced by innoculation that it is impossible to spare the few Men of the 13th Virginia Regiment just at this time. I shall send Colo. Russel immediately to Pittsburg to collect and take the command of by far the greatest part of the Regiment who are now stragling about that Country. Major Campbell...
87From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, that the Cloathing for Col: Shepherd’s Regiment of Massachusetts, in pursuance of the Original Plan, has been sent on to Tionderoga, but as the Destination of this Regiment, among Others has been altered, You will send back the Cloathing for It, as expeditiously as possible to Albany; giving Directions to have it immediately transported thence to Peeks Kill, where the Regiment...
88From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 25th and 29th last Month. As I have never heard any thing from Genl Heath respecting the Exchange of Genl Hamilton for Genl Thomson since his letter of the 6th January, copy of which I transmitted to Mr Peters in mine of the 25th January, I concluded that the exchange could not be effected; but that no means may be left untried to regain so valuable an Officer as...
89From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 2 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the inclosed from the board of war —I beg of you to inform me what steps have been taken in consequence of the resolves of the 11th of June last—What troops you had in contemplation for the expedition into the country of the Senecas—What number you conceive adequate to the service—What were your prospects of supplying them with provisions—stores and other necessaries—And...
90From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
As we are yet uncertain as to the real destination of the Enemy, tho’ Delaware seems most probable, I have thought it prudent to halt the Army at this place, Howells Ferry and Trenton, at least, till the Fleet actually enter the Bay and put the matter beyond a doubt. From hence, we can be upon the proper Grounds to oppose them before they can possibly make their arrangements and dispositions...
91From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The superiority of naval force, which the enemy at present possess over our allies, rendering it not improbable, that they may be tempted to undertake a co-operation, by sea and land, for the capture or destruction of the French fleet, in the Port of Boston, it appears expedient, that our dispositions, so far as is consistent with the other important objects of our attention, should be...
92From 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...
93From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from Genl Schuyler of 13th Inst. it appears that you had not reach’d Stillwater at that time, since which I have not had any accounts from you, but expect you had arriv’d there soon after that date. From the various representations made to me of the disadvantage the Army lay under, particularly the Militia, from an apprehension of the Indian Mode of fighting, I have dispatch’d...
94From 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...
95From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I expected ’ere this to have heard from you; as I have not, I will open the corrispondance by expressing my exceeding great concern on acct of the determination of your board of General Officers, to retreat from Crown Point to Ticonderago; assigning (contrary to the opinion of all your Field Officers) for reason, that the former place is not tenable with your present force, or the Force...
96From 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...
97From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 24th Instant, last night. I wish the corps of foreigners you mention could be posted in a less exceptionable place. I leave it to you to take such measures as you may think most expedient in the present case. In my letter of yesterday I pointed out the situation of the two armies. This morning at 4 O’clock the enemy began to move—we are following them fast—and mean...
98From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this day recd yours of the 2d instant. The Arms arrived at Camp yesterday. If you will advert to the copy of the orders sent by Majr Taylor after Mr Lansing, you will find that I had every reason to think that the Arms were going back to New Burgh by your orders. He is so pointed, that he says in a P.S. “It is Major Genl Gates’s positive orders.” If he by making use of your name, when he was...
99From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great loss of Tents at Danbury is like to make us rather scant in that Article, especially as the whole Army in this quarter will be moving and must consequently lay in the Feild. I am informed that the Barracks, already built at Ticonderoga and Mount Independance, will contain between three and four thousand Men, and as your Garrison will be stationary, I would recommend the covering the...
100From 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...