Horatio Gates Letters for the years 1776 thru 1782

Ticonderoga, NY - 7 August 1776

You will station the fleet in the best manner to maintain the possession of those passes, according as your judgment shall determine, cautiously avoiding to place the vessels in a manner, which might unnecessarily expose them

Ticonderoga, NY - 28 August 1776

As the smallpox is now perfectly removed from the army, I shall, in consequence of the intelligence received of the motions of the enemy, immediately assemble my principal strength to maintain this important pass

Ticonderoga, NY - 31 October 1776

Monday morning, between eight and nine o clock, our advanced guard-boat, down the Lake, made the signal for the approach of the enemy's fleet. In about one hour, five of their largest boats or gondolas appeared in sight

Ticonderoga, NY - 5 November 1776

I have the honor to congratulate Congress upon the retreat of Lieutenant-General Sir Guy Carleton, with the fleet and army under his command, from Crown Point, Saturday last.

, NY - 22 August 1777

Upon my leaving Philadelphia, the prospect this way appeared most gloomy, but the severe checks the enemy have met with at Bennington and Tryon county, have given a more pleasing view of public affairs.

unknown - 2 September 1777

Surgeons, medicines, and attendance, with every comfort imaginable, have been amply supplied to the sick and wounded officers and soldiers, prisoners at Bennington

Behmus Heights, NY - 19 September 1777

in the present position and circumstances of General Burgoyne's army, considered with his apparent views, your army ought to be posted at Stillwater

Behmus Heights, NY - 5 October 1777

I am sorry to repeat to your Excellency the Distress I have suffered for want of a proper supply of musket cartridges from Springfield, or the materials to make them.

Albany, NY - 29 October 1777

As I have not heard a syllable from you, or General Putnam, for a week past, I conclude you are in no want of any further assistance from me.

Albany, NY - 2 November 1777

As to any attack upon New York, I utterly disapprove of it; for, while the enemy's ships of war can act in the North and East Rivers, the taking of that city would be doubtful

Albany, NY - 2 November 1777

If Sir Henry Clinton marches towards Mount Holly, our army will, of course, move directly to Princeton, and hang upon his rear and right flank. If he marches towards Trenton, our army will march to Somerset

Albany, NY - 23 November 1777

I have never entertained the smallest idea that General Burgoyne should be permitted to ex 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.

York - 2 March 1778

I am exceedingly mortified that you did not accept of my offer at Albany, to go to England in a vessel, that the State of Massachusetts Bay would, at my request, have provided.

Peekskill, NY - 25 June 1778

To prevent the enemy's army, now marching across the Jerseys, from receiving any considerable reenforcement from the troops in and near New York, I propose moving the main body of this army to the White Plains

Danbury - 30 September 1778

I am sorry for the disgrace we have suffered in the Jerseys; but imagine that the enemy take ad vantage of the supine ness that constantly seizes our people, when they have been long unmolested.

Boston, MA - 4 March 1779

I am sorry to find your Excellency seems to have given over all thoughts of penetrating into Canada by the route of Coos

Providence, RI - 8 November 1779

Thursday night I had the honor to receive your Excellency's letter of the 1st instant, and immediately gave orders for moving the Continental troops over the bay to Greenwich

Hartford, CT - 15 November 1779

In obedience to the orders contained in your Excellency's letters of the 1st and 2d instant, I marched the whole of the Continental troops from the State of Rhode Island, and arrived yesterday morning

Hillsborough - 30 August 1780

By the firmness and bravery of the Continental troops, the victory is for from bloodless on the part of the foe they having upwards of five hundred men, with officers in proportion, killed and wounded.

Hillsborough - 3 September 1780

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

Philadelphia, PA - 22 May 1781

I have been honored with your letter of the 12th instant, declaring to me that no charge having been brought against me before your Excellency, the Court of Inquiry into my conduct could proceed upon no other principle, in the military way, than the

Berkley County - 7 October 1781

The secrecy and expedition of your Excellency's movement from the North River, defeated my wish to have paid you my compliments in person upon your route, as I never knew of your being upon the march until you had passed Alexandria.

Philadelphia, PA - 17 August 1782

General Lincoln has, in his letter of yesterday, acquainted me that it is your Excellency's desire to know if I wish to take command in the army this campaign.