The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-23
Gen. Horatio Gates

pill-box and lancet and, as gentleman volun-
teer," headed north toward the siege of Boston
with one of the Pennsylvania rifle companies
which were later to punctuate so many historic
events with the sharp crack of their long rifles.
In the camp at Cambridge his "ingratiating man.
ners, pleasing and plausible address, education
above the average of young gentlemen of the
time, knowledge Of drill and discipline beyond
that Of rustic militia officers picked up in asso-
citation with the Royal Irish and posi-
tive genius for sycophancy" soon won him
place as member of the military family of Gen.
Nathaniel Greene, even though he held no rank.
But the commandernchief soon remedied that,
for in March, 1776, Washington made him a cap
tain.
1t is probable that in the camp at Cambridge
Wilkinson made the acquaintance of two
with whom his name was to be linked in the fu-
ture-their names to be besmirched while he,
equally if not more guilty. was to have his name
whitewashed. One was Benedict Arnold, then a
colonel, and the other was Aaron Burr, also
gentleman volunteer 1t is more certain that he
also met there two others with whom his name
was to be linked under hardly more creditable
circumstances. They were Charles Lee and Hora-
ito Gates.
From that time on Captain Wilkinson is much
In evidence in the history of the Continental
army. He is sent on the expedition to Canada I'M
der General Sullivan to support Arnold and quite
by chance, rather than by his ability, saves Ar
mold from disaster as the latter retreats before
the advance of Sir Guy Carleton. Next we find
the young captain with Gates, who has been
placed in command of the Northern army, "pan-
dering to the vanity" of Gates who makes Will
kinson member of his staff. Forgetting his
friendship for Arnold Wilkinson "goes over
horse, foot and dragons to Gates; shares there
after his jealousy and depreciation of Arnold"
Thus Wilkinson first appears In his characteristic
role of double-crosser
Next he is with Washington at the splendid
victory at Trenton, that is he followed the
blood -stained march to Trenton-with the rear
guard; volunteered, when the fight was won, to
carry to Washington request for further or
ders; came upon him just in time to be the first
to congratulate him.-A glorious day for our
country Major wilkinson" He is at Princeton,
at Valley Forge, and at Morristown, becomes in
volved in the Conway cabal against Washington
and again does some double-crossing of his fell
low-conspirators, including his friend, Gates, al
though this time, 1t must be admitted, his be-
trayal of the plot was more or less unintentional
and came about while he under the influence
of liquor.
BY this time he brevet brigadier-general
albeit over the protest of some AZ colonies who
were more worthy of the promotion than he.
After the winter at Valley Forge he resigned
from the army because his honor" about which
he constantly prated and over which he was
very touchy, "would not permit him longer to
serve with man of the character of Gates as
revealed in the letters Washington had permit
ted him to read" But IS months later he was
back the payroll again as clothier-general for
the army, post which he held until the end of
the war and which, for a wonder, he handled
without becoming involved in any shady transac-
tons.
W. % a
sylvania legislature, then finding himself in finan-
cial straits and unable to support his family Tin
1778 he had married Ann Biddle, of famous
Philadelphia family, and by her had two sons)
he headed for the frontier country of Kentucky
to recoup his fortunes There he rapidly rose to
prominence, helped in the development of the
new state and became involved again In his favor
lite occupation-that of intrigue-this time In
the famous Spanish Conspiracy which is still q