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1779 Revolutionary War Major General HORATIO GATES Signed Original Pay Order

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,100.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
1779 Revolutionary War Major General HORATIO GATES Signed Original Pay Order
Autographs
Major General Horatio Gates Signed Revolutionary War Pay Order Document for Gates' Personal Aide-de-Camp
HORATIO GATES (1727-1806). American Major General during the Revolutionary War who took credit for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga only after General Benedict Arnold, who led the attack, was finally forced from the field when he was shot in the leg and was blamed for the defeat at the Battle of Camden.
January 4, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, “Horatio Gates”, Plus Signed by two of his close Aides-de-Camp, Majors John Armstrong and Pierce, measuring 8” x 12.5”, 1 page (written on both sides), no place, Fine. Being a Pay Order for Gates' personal Aide-de-Camp, Major John Armstrong, Jr. Here, General Gates directs Ebenezer Hancock, the Pay Master General of the Eastern Dept. of the Continental Army (and John Hancock's brother), to pay Major Armstrong 480 dollars for six months pay owed to him. Additionally, this Document is Signed by Major John Armstrong, Jr. (1758-1843), who later to become a U.S. Senator from New York, and the U.S. Secretary of War! Major Armstrong directs that the money in turn be paid over to a Major Isaac Pierce, another of Gates' Aides-de-Camp. Major Pierce then also signs that he has received the money in full. Extensive Docket on reverse. Paper reinforcements on the blank areas of the reverse, there is some overall soiling, tone, humidity stains and expected folds all from apparent actual use. A rare Horatio Gates Signed Revolutionary War Document together with Major John Armstrong, Isaac Pierce and to John Hancock’s brother Ebenezer.
Horatio Gates, (born c. 1728, Maldon, Essex, England—died April 10, 1806, New York, New York, U.S.), English-born American general in the American Revolution (1775–83) whose victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga (1777) turned the tide of victory in behalf of the American Revolutionaries.

Gates first served in North America in the French and Indian War (1754–63), emerged as a major, and returned to England. In 1772 he immigrated to the region that is now West Virginia. Sympathizing with colonial complaints against the crown, in 1775 he was made adjutant general of the Continental Army, and in 1777 he superseded General Philip Schuyler in northern New York. In the two battles of Saratoga his army forced General John Burgoyne to surrender, partly, however, because of the previous maneuvers of Schuyler and the initiative of General Benedict Arnold

Congress next elected Gates president of the Board of War. At the same time a group of army officers, among them General Thomas Conway, became involved in a plan to replace General George Washington with Gates. The “Conway Cabal” soon collapsed, and in the spring of 1778 Gates returned to his command in New York.

Transferred to the South (June 1780), Gates was disastrously defeated by Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina, on August 16. An official inquiry into his conduct was ordered but charges were never pressed. After the war Gates freed his slaves, moved to New York, and served one term in the state legislature.