Details
GATES, HORATIO, General. Autograph letter signed ("Horatio Gates") as General and President of the Board of War, to Colonel H. Hollingsworth, "War Office" [York, Pa.?], 25 February 1778. 2 pages, 4to, 245 x 183mm. (9 5/8 x 7 1/8 in.), light discoloration at edges.
ORDERS TO PURCHASE OR SEIZE FOOD AND FORAGE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE VALLEY FORGE SUPPLY CRISIS
A long letter during Gates's tenure as head of the Board of War, during the legendary crisis of supply connected with the Valley Forge winter encampment of Washington's army: "...The Board [of War] thank & applaud you for your ready exertions to relieve the pressing wants of the Army. Since the orders sent you to purchase provisions, Congress have altered the plan...The measures they will take we should hope would be adequate to the necessary supply of flour....[F]orbear purchasing or contracting for wheat & flour, and confine yourself to procuring corn, rye oats &...beef & pork -- these to be got & sent on to camp with the utmost dispatch. Should you contract for large quantities of wheat & flour, they most probably cannot be removed in season & consequently will be in danger of falling into the enemy's hands. For the same reason we would not wish you to engage or collect more forage than you can in a reasonable time either transport to the army...But the Board are anxious to have you purchase and if that should not avail...seize all cattle & swine fit for slaughter, & all salted beef and pork, not necessary for the subsistence of families...The Board have ordered [$]20,000 to be delivered to the Bearer of your letter..."
Gates had been promoted to President of the Board of War on 17 October 1777 after his victory at Saratoga over General Burgoyne; he resumed command of the Northern Department on 15 April 1778.
ORDERS TO PURCHASE OR SEIZE FOOD AND FORAGE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE VALLEY FORGE SUPPLY CRISIS
A long letter during Gates's tenure as head of the Board of War, during the legendary crisis of supply connected with the Valley Forge winter encampment of Washington's army: "...The Board [of War] thank & applaud you for your ready exertions to relieve the pressing wants of the Army. Since the orders sent you to purchase provisions, Congress have altered the plan...The measures they will take we should hope would be adequate to the necessary supply of flour....[F]orbear purchasing or contracting for wheat & flour, and confine yourself to procuring corn, rye oats &...beef & pork -- these to be got & sent on to camp with the utmost dispatch. Should you contract for large quantities of wheat & flour, they most probably cannot be removed in season & consequently will be in danger of falling into the enemy's hands. For the same reason we would not wish you to engage or collect more forage than you can in a reasonable time either transport to the army...But the Board are anxious to have you purchase and if that should not avail...seize all cattle & swine fit for slaughter, & all salted beef and pork, not necessary for the subsistence of families...The Board have ordered [$]20,000 to be delivered to the Bearer of your letter..."
Gates had been promoted to President of the Board of War on 17 October 1777 after his victory at Saratoga over General Burgoyne; he resumed command of the Northern Department on 15 April 1778.