Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806 to William Smallwood

Written by Major General Gates to Major General Smallwood. This was written after Gates's defeat at the Battle of Camden and after Congress voted to call a court of inquiry into Gates's conduct at the battle in October 1780. Smallwood commanded the troops of the Maryland Line and was also at Camden. Seems to have written the letter over several days. Says he arrived in Salisbury after an agreeable march from Hillsborough. Encloses a letter from Governor Thomas Jefferson and a list of units under the command of General Alexander Leslie (not included). Fears that General Henry Clinton will reinforce Leslie when campaigning in the north stops. Says a Board of General Officers unanimously agreed that Colonel Polk should immediately answer for his conduct. This is a reference to Thomas Polk, commissary-general for North Carolina and commissary of purchase for the army, who fought with Gates over the supply of Continental troops. Mentions British troops movements in North Carolina and Virginia. Is sending troops to meet him.Command is to devolve to General Daniel Morgan if Smallwood is absent. Says he received Smallwood's letter of 31October 1780 while on the march and is astonished Polk won't supply the Continental Army. Gets into details of troop discharges.