Horatio Gates Tells his Story as a Colonial Officer, Serving Under George Washington

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My name is Horatio Gates, and though many know me from the later parts of the American Revolution, I want to tell you about my early role in the fight for independence, up until the critical campaign in New York.

I was born in England and served for years in the British Army, fighting in the Seven Years’ War. However, I found myself drawn to the colonies and their desire for freedom. So, when the time came for America to resist British control, I offered my services to the Continental Congress. I believed my military experience could make a difference in the fight for independence.

In 1775, I was appointed as adjutant general of the Continental Army, second only to General George Washington in many ways. I assisted in organizing the troops, preparing them for the long struggle ahead. However, it wasn’t long before I found myself in the thick of things in the Northern Theater of the war.

One of my earliest significant commands was in New York. The British planned a bold move in 1776, hoping to seize control of the Hudson River Valley and cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. I was stationed in Fort Ticonderoga, a strategic point along this route. Though initially, we held our ground, the British forces were persistent. When General John Burgoyne’s army moved down from Canada, it became clear we were facing a formidable force.

My strategy, alongside others like Benedict Arnold, was to delay and frustrate Burgoyne’s advance. The plan was to use the rugged terrain and hit-and-run tactics to exhaust the British forces, slowing their progress. It worked to an extent, but it would be in Saratoga, a little further down the line, where we’d finally turn the tide—but that’s a story for another day.

In these early days, I did my best to organize and inspire the troops, focusing on training and discipline. At times, I found myself at odds with Washington and other leaders, as I believed in a more aggressive approach. Yet, I knew that we had to play the long game, wear the British down, and make it clear that the colonies wouldn’t easily be subdued.

The early part of the war was marked by victories and defeats, both for myself and the Continental Army. But even in those moments of challenge, I never doubted that we were on the path to something far greater—freedom for America. I would soon be part of the critical turning point in New York, but that would come after much learning, growth, and a deeper understanding of what it would take to truly defeat the British.

The years leading up to that moment were crucial, not just for me as a military leader but for the entire cause. I did everything I could to prepare for the battles that would define us, knowing that the fate of this new nation rested on our ability to outthink and outlast an empire.

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