Thomas Gage
As we continue our trek through 1757, following Washington's comings and goings involving Fort Loudoun Winchester VA, we run across a letter on 15 Oct 1757 by a man who was a friend of George Washington, and who shared the experience of the horror of the Battle of the Monongahela of the Braddock Expedition with George Washington.
We know this man, Thomas Gage,
as the British commander of Boston forces,
involved in the battle at
Bunker Hill, and Breeds Hill, Saturday, June 17, 1775.
Our Warren Co Virginia is named after Dr Warren who was stabbed into unconscionable mutilation.
We know this man, Thomas Gage,
as the one who
after Washington's man Knox
did a herculean pull of cannon
from Saratoga to Boston, March 17, 1776.
We also know this man
was in the Braddock Expedition, 1755.
He was also with Lord Loudoun
on the
He then joined James Abercrombie
on his attack in
instead of joining Forbes' Expedition
to reduce Fort Duquesne, 1758.
And by the way that Battle of Carillon was the bloodiest battle in the whole American Theatre of the French and Indian War.
Thomas Gage thought highly of Washington.
This letter of 15 Oct 1757 below certainly indicates so.
By the time of Bunker Hill, his opinion of Washington changes.
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George Washington receives this letter during his command of Fort Loudoun in Winchester VA, while dealing with yet another worsening bout of dysentery.
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Compiled, authored by Jim Moyer 10/12/2021
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To George Washington from Thomas Gage,
15 October 1757
Source:
From Thomas Gage
Albany [N.Y.] Octr 15th 1757.
Dear Sir,
Your Favor was transmitted to me by Mr Beverly Robinson,1
by which I received great Pleasure,
as I may judge by it,
that you are perfectly well;
A Circumstance that gives me no small satisfaction,
having had no Acct of you for a considerable Time,
particularly as I think your Welfare
will contribute to that of your Country.
I am extreamly glad to find your poor Inhabitants
enjoy that calm under your Protection,
which alone can make Life desirable, &
hope soon to hear that you are not only enabled
to defend your own Frontiers,
but carry the War into the Enemy’s Country;
which I look upon as the surest Means to put an End to it.
The same Fatality that has,
since my Memory,
attended all our Expeditions,
attended that of this summer to the Northward,
which you will have been long ago acquainted with.2
A very considerable regular Force is now in these Parts,
but what They will be employed in,
is more by far,
than I can inform you.
You may be assured that your Recommendation of any Person,
will be an inducement to me to do him every service in my Power.
Mr Hall, whom you recommended in your last,
purchased an Ensigncy in our Regt at Halifax, &
I think we are lucky
in getting a Gentleman of his understanding &
good Behavior amongst us.
His Conduct being not only approved by me
but every Officer in the Regt.3
Nothing Material has happened since my Arrival here,
I wish something may happen to our Advantage.
I shall always be glad to hear of your health,
Happyness & Success.
I am Dr Sr your most obedient, & most humble servt
Thos Gage
ALS, DLC:GW.
Founders Online Footnotes:
Thomas Gage (c.1719–1787), with whom GW became acquainted during Braddock’s expedition in 1755, was at this time lieutenant colonel in the 44th Regiment.
1. GW’s letter has not been found, but it was written no later than May 1757 (see note 3). Beverley Robinson, speaker John Robinson’s brother and GW’s friend, lived in New York.
2. Gage accompanied Loudoun to Nova Scotia in the summer for the planned attack on the French in Canada.
3. Lt. John Hall of the Virginia Regiment arrived in New York on 23 May and was assigned to the 44th Regiment. See Hall to GW, April–May 1757, 1 June 1757, 5 July 1757, and 14 Feb. 1758.
Source:
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Washington responds to this letter many months later, 12 April 1758.
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