On this day 211 years ago...

Revolutionary War General, Horatio Gates, passed away in New York City, New York. Though not the most recognizable name, General Gates was very well known in 18th and 19th century circles as a capable leader, if not somewhat, cowardly fighter and, more importantly, as the man who repeatedly attempted to have Founding Father and first President George Washington removed as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. 

Born in Malden, Essex, England to a maid and butler, he began his military career in Germany in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the War of Austrian Succession. He eventually settled in Virginia with his wife and child where he ran an estate named Traveller's Rest. 

At the onset of the Revolutionary War, Gates did not hesitate to offer his support to General George Washington at his nearby home, Mount Vernon. Washington accepted his offer and pushed Congress to commission Gates as the very first Adjutant General of the United States Army. It wasn't long after pledging his support to General Washington that Gates found himself involved in the Conway Cabal debacle in which a group of Continental Army seniors attempted to have Washington overthrown in the wake of several serious military failures in the Southeastern portion of Pennsylvania. He later apologized for his involvement.

Gates earned a reputation as an effective leader, but many stories lingered as to his cowardice on the battlefield. He was reportedly known for evading direct combat, often seeing shelter to avoid injury or death. His positive military reputation came to and end when, on August 16, 1780, Gates led his men to a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Camden.

He would return to his Virginia home, where his son, and then wife passed away. He remarried some years later and moved to New York City after selling his estate and freeing all of his slaves. After his death, he was buried in the Trinity Church Graveyard on Wall Street. Three roads and one county are named in his honor.