Horatio Gates letter to George Washington, 3 September 1780

Hillsborough. 3 September, 1780.

Sir,

I had, the day before yesterday, the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter, dated the 8th of August, from Orangetown. 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 3Oth ultimo, I can only say no considerable alteration has taken place, the enemy remaining still, and the disaffected doing nothing of consequence to disturb us. Fourteen hundred of the second draft of the militia of this State are marched to cover Salisburg, and the country from thence to Charlotte, where Colonel Sumpter has a command, which occasionally acts upon the west side of the Wateree, and has hitherto given such a jealousy to the British in Camden as to keep them at home. Three hundred Virginia riflemen, under Colonel Campbell, and militia from the back counties, are marching to the east bank of the Yadkin, at the ford ; and General Stevens, with what have not run home, of the other Virginia militia, is at Guilford CourtHouse. The Maryland division and the artillery are here, to be refitted ; the former will be put into one strong regiment, with a good light infantry company, under Colonel Williams. The rest of the officers will be sent immediately to Maryland, for the purpose directed by your Excellency in your letter to the Baron de Kalb, of the 27th June, which came to my hands only yesterday, from Richmond, in Virginia. General Muhlenberg acquaints me that near five hundred regulars are upon their march from Petersburg to this place ; these, with the Marylanders above mentioned, will make us stronger in Continental troops than I was before the action. The cavalry, under the Colonels White and Washington and Major Nelson, are not quite equipped, so as to be able to march to Bock Fish, in the neighbourhood of Cross Creek, as I directed ; but I hope they will soon be in a condition to obey my orders.

Colonel Dubuysson, Aid-de-camp to the Baron de Kalb, a most amiable young officer, will soon wait upon your Excellency; he was wounded and taken, but Lord Cornwallis has permitted him to go to Philadelphia, on iarole. All the Baron's baggage and papers are saved ; they are delivered to Colonel Dubuysson, who will be responsible for them. Too much honor cannot be paid by Congress to the memory of the Baron de Kalb ; he was every thing an excellent officer should be, and, in the cause of the United States, has sacrificed his life.

If I can yet render good service to the United States, it will be necessary it should be seen that I have the support of Congress and your Excellency ; otherwise some men may think they please my superiors by blaming me, and thus recommend themselves to favor. But you, Sir, will be too generous to lend an ear to such men, if such there be, and will show your greatness of soul rather by protecting, than slighting, the unfortunate. If, on the contrary, I am not supported, and countenance is given to every one who will speak disrespectfully of me, it will be better for Congress to remove me at once from a command where I shall be unable to render them any good service. This, Sir, I submit to your candor and honor, and shall cheerfully await the decision of my superiors. With the warmest wishes for your prosperity, and the sincerest sentiments of esteem and regard, I am, Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

Horatio Gates..

P. S. Inclosed are two letters of Lord Rawdon, found at the house of Rugely, thirteen miles from Camden, to whom they are directed ; which will show your Excellency what dark schemes our enemies fall upon, in order to effect their nefarious purposes