From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780
To Major General Horatio Gates
Head Quarters Morris Town June 4th 1780
Sir
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 you do take the feild, when we may hope to see you at Camp.1 I am Sir Your most Obedt humble servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, enclosed in GW to the Board of War 5 June, NHi: Gates Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Gates replied to GW on 17 June from “Travellers-Rest,” Va.: “Yesterday evening I had the Honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter dated the 4th Inst. from Morris Town—I have for some time expected, That The Congress, or Your Excellency, would inform me where I should be commanded to serve for the ensuing Campaign; the Circumstances of the public, as well as of my Own private Affairs, make it even now very necessary That I should be acquainted, where I am to be employed before I leave Virginia” (ALS, CSmH; ALS, NN; ADfS [two drafts], NHi: Gates Papers). GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed the ALS in CSmH: “no answer necessary.”
Congress subsequently named Gates to command the southern department (see , 17:508, and Samuel Huntington to Gates, 13 June, in , 15:312–13; see also Huntington to GW, 15 June).