[1] Journals of Congress. Appleton’s Cyclopædia gives the month July.
In 1780, Gates was given command of the Southern army, and prepared to attack Cornwallis at Camden, South Carolina. By a serious error in judgment, Gates suffered a most humiliating defeat, which ended his military career. On the 5th of October, 1780, he was suspended from service until his conduct could be investigated. Deeply mortified, he retired to his farm in Berkeley County, but as he passed through Richmond, the State Legislature passed a resolution expressive of their sympathy in his misfortune and their unabated confidence in his patriotism and military skill; he received, too, a letter from Washington containing assurances of sincere sympathy and promises of a command when the court of inquiry should have acquitted him. Restored to his command on the 14th of August, 1782, he did not serve, as the war was then practically over. The battle of Camden virtually ended his career. In 1790, he removed to New York City, generously freeing all his Virginia slaves, and amply providing for the aged and infirm. In 1800, he was elected to the New York State Legislature, and died on the 10th of April, 1806.
WILLIAM HEATH.
William Heath, born on the 2d of March, 1737, was the son of a farmer living in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Delighting in military exercise, he joined the militia company of his town. In 1765, he became a member of the “Ancient and Honorable Artillery” corps of Boston, subsequently becoming its commander. In 1770, he contributed a series of articles to a Boston newspaper, urging the importance of military training, etc. In 1774, he received an appointment in the Provincial army of Massachusetts, and on the 22d of June was created brigadier-general by the Continental Congress and placed in command at Roxbury. On the 9th of August, 1776, he was raised to the rank of major-general. Though taking part in none of the great battles of the war, he did good service as recruiting officer, commissary, and quartermaster. After the close of the war he retired to his farm at Roxbury. Subsequently he was elected senator, counsellor, Presidential elector, judge of probate, and in 1806 Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts. This office, however, he declined, choosing to spend his last years as a private citizen. He died on his estate in Roxbury on the 24th of January, 1814.
JOSEPH SPENCER.
Joseph Spencer, born at East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1714, was an officer of militia, with the rank of colonel, during the French and Indian War. He was appointed brigadier-general on the 22d of June, 1775, by the Continental Congress, and major-general on the 9th of August, 1776. When the British fleet appeared off the coast of New England, in December of that year, he was sent with Arnold to take charge of the militia in that section. Spencer was in command at Rhode Island in 1778. Admiral Sir Peter Parker having taken possession of Newport, Spencer had assembled his forces at Providence to dislodge him. After spending some weeks in marching and counter-marching, the enterprise had to be abandoned, as the Americans were too weak to attempt such an assault. General Spencer resigned his commission on the 13th of January, 1778, and though an earnest advocate of American independence, took but little part in public affairs during the remainder of his life. He died at his native place, East Haddam, in January, 1789.