Military officer; born in
Maldon, England, in 1728; was a godson 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-inchief, using his power as president of the board of war for the purpose, but ignominously 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, S. C., 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.