The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PART II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 37
TO MAJOR-GENERAL GATES.
Head-Quarters, Bucks County, 20 August, 1.777.
SIR,
By a letter from General Schuyler of the 13th instant
it appears, that you had not reached Stillwater at that
time; since which I have not had any accounts from
you, but suppose you arrived there soon after that
date.* From the various representations made to me
of the disadvantage the army lay under, particularly
the militia, from an apprehension of the Indian mode
of fighting, I have despatched Colonel Morgan with
his corps of riflemen to your assistance, and presume
they will be with you in eight days from this date.
This corps I have great dependence on, and have no
doubt but they will be exceedingly useful; as a check
given to the savages, and keeping them within proper
bounds, will prevent General Burgoyne from getting
intelligence as formerly, and animate your other troops
from a sense of their being more on an equality with the
enemy. Colonel Cortlandt's and Colonel Livingston's
regiments are also on their way from Peekskill to join
you. They must of course be with you in a very few
days. With these reinforcements, besides the militia
General Gates joined the northern army, and took the command, on,
the 19th of August. Although, by an order of Congress, General Schuyler
was directed to repair to head-quarters, yet the time was not fixed, and,
with the approbation of Congress and the Commander-in-chief, lie remained at Albany till after the capitulation of Burgoyne. In regard to
the state of affairs to the westward, Washingt6n wrote to General
Schuyler, on the 21st of August;-" I am pleased with the account you
transmit of the situation of matters upon the Mohawk River. If the
militia keep up their spirits after their late severe skirmish, I am: confident they will, with the assistance of the reinforcement under General
Arnold, be enabled to raise the siege of Fort Schuyler, which will be a
most important matter just at this time." This prediction was verified
in its fullest extent, and is one among the innumerable instances of the
foresight and sound judgment of the Commander-in-chief.
VOL. V. D