GATES, Horatio. Autograph letter signed ("Horatio Gates") to Governor George Clinton (1739-1812), Albany, 2 November 1777. 4 pages, folio, 315 x 213 mm. (12½ x 83/8in.), recipient's docket. Fine condition. THE VICTOR OF SARATOGA RECOMMENDS STRATEGY FOR THE CONTINENTAL ARMY An important, very lengthy letter in the wake of the resounding American victory at Saratoga (7 October) and Burgoyne's surrender (19 October), in which Gates persuasively analyses the military situation and speculates on British intentions: "...If Sir Harry Clinton is directed to reinforce the Army of Sir William Howe [occupying Philadelphia]...he will either land his troops at Amboy, and march by the lower Road to Mount Holly, to support any designed Attack upon Fort Mifflin...or, he will land at Elizabeth Town, and march by Brunswick and Princeton, to Trenton; in order to Facilitate Sir William Howe's retreat cross the Delaware. In either Attempt, I am clearly of opinion, that all the Troops I sent...should march...to Morris Town...If Sir Harry Clinton Marches towards Mount Holly, Our Army will of course move directly to Princeton, and Hang upon his Rear, & right Flank. If he marches towards Trenton, Our Army will march to Somerset Court House, and be ready to move, as he moves towards Trenton." He offers suggestions for the Jersey militia, recommends the "Heavy Brass Artillery" be relocated up river "to be secured from any Surprise," and strongly urges Clinton to confer with General Putnam, in the Highlands. But he opposes any attack on New York since "the Enemy's Ships of Force Occupy the East and North Rivers, and there is a tolerable Garrison on the Isthmus..." After Saratoga, in light of Washington's failures from Long Island to the loss of Philadelphia, many in Congress and the Continental service began to believe that Gates did possess uncanny military insight and might indeed make a better Commander-in-Chief than Washington. Gates' supporters in Congress set up a Board of War (on 17 October) and ultimately named Gates to head it. But these hidden machinations against Washington (now known as the Conway Cabal) came to light at about the date of this letter, when Washington learned of a remark made by General Conway in a letter to Gates about a "weak General" who had nearly ruined the American cause. But it would be months before the duplicity of the Gates faction was fully revealed, and Gates' reputation as an officer endured until the debacle and disgrace at Camden, more than two years later.
GATES, Horatio. Autograph letter signed ("Horatio Gates") to Governor George Clinton (1739-1812), Albany, 2 November 1777. 4 pages, folio, 315 x 213 mm. (12½ x 83/8in.), recipient's docket. Fine condition. THE VICTOR OF SARATOGA RECOMMENDS STRATEGY FOR THE CONTINENTAL ARMY An important, very lengthy letter in the wake of the resounding American victory at Saratoga (7 October) and Burgoyne's surrender (19 October), in which Gates persuasively analyses the military situation and speculates on British intentions: "...If Sir Harry Clinton is directed to reinforce the Army of Sir William Howe [occupying Philadelphia]...he will either land his troops at Amboy, and march by the lower Road to Mount Holly, to support any designed Attack upon Fort Mifflin...or, he will land at Elizabeth Town, and march by Brunswick and Princeton, to Trenton; in order to Facilitate Sir William Howe's retreat cross the Delaware. In either Attempt, I am clearly of opinion, that all the Troops I sent...should march...to Morris Town...If Sir Harry Clinton Marches towards Mount Holly, Our Army will of course move directly to Princeton, and Hang upon his Rear, & right Flank. If he marches towards Trenton, Our Army will march to Somerset Court House, and be ready to move, as he moves towards Trenton." He offers suggestions for the Jersey militia, recommends the "Heavy Brass Artillery" be relocated up river "to be secured from any Surprise," and strongly urges Clinton to confer with General Putnam, in the Highlands. But he opposes any attack on New York since "the Enemy's Ships of Force Occupy the East and North Rivers, and there is a tolerable Garrison on the Isthmus..." After Saratoga, in light of Washington's failures from Long Island to the loss of Philadelphia, many in Congress and the Continental service began to believe that Gates did possess uncanny military insight and might indeed make a better Commander-in-Chief than Washington. Gates' supporters in Congress set up a Board of War (on 17 October) and ultimately named Gates to head it. But these hidden machinations against Washington (now known as the Conway Cabal) came to light at about the date of this letter, when Washington learned of a remark made by General Conway in a letter to Gates about a "weak General" who had nearly ruined the American cause. But it would be months before the duplicity of the Gates faction was fully revealed, and Gates' reputation as an officer endured until the debacle and disgrace at Camden, more than two years later.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
