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 Gates,
HORATIO, military officer ; born in Maldon, England, in
1728 ; was a god-son of Horace Walpole; entered the British army in
his youth, and rose rapidly to the rank of major; came to America;
was severely wounded at Braddock's defeat (1755); and was aide to
General Monckton in the expedition against Martinique in 1762. After
the peace he bought an estate in Virginia, and when the
Revolutionary War broke out Congress appointed him (June, 1775)
adjutant-general of the
Continental army, with the rank of brigadier-general. In 1776—77
he was twice in command of the Northern army, having, through
intrigue, displaced General Schuyler. He gained undeserved honors as
commander of the troops that defeated and captured
Burgoyne and his
army in the fall of 1777. He soon afterwards intrigued for the
position of Washington as commander-in-chief, using his power as
president of the board of war for the purpose, but ignominiously
failed. In June, 1780, he was made commander of the Southern
Department, but made a disastrous campaign, his army being utterly
defeated and routed by
Cornwallis near
Camden, South Carolina, in August,
1780. This defeat terminated Gates's military career. He was removed
from command and suspended from service, but was finally vindicated,
and reinstated in command in 1782. He retired to his estate in
Virginia, and in 1790 made his residence in New York City, having
first emancipated all his slaves, and provided for such of them as
could not take care of themselves. He was presented with the freedom
of the city of New York, and elected to the State legislature, but
declined to serve. He died in New York City, April 10, 1806.
Portrait of General Horatio Gates |
