Guilford County NcArchives Military Records.....Gates, John 
Revwar - Pension 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com June 16, 2006, 2:10 am

Pension Application Of John Gates, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 1055,
JOHN GATES, a resident of Laurens District, SC, aged sixty-eight years:
	“…entered the United States service in February 1781, a short time 
previous to the celebrated Battle at Guilford Courthouse, under the command of 
Captain JOSIAH GATES, who was commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN of the same 
state and county aforesaid. I entered the service as a volunteer for the term 
of six months. We were called minutemen at that time, being considered ready to 
march whenever required. Our regiment marched to join said General GREENE at or 
near Guilford Courthouse, but on our arrival within five miles of that place, 
at CHARLES BRUCE’s store, we met Colonel WASHINGTON’s horse and infantry (it 
being Sunday) and received information from Colonel WASHINGTON in which 
direction General GREENE was. We marched in pursuit and joined his army the 
next day in Caswell County and hence proceeded under his command to Halifax 
(VA). We remained probably about ten days at Halifax, and from thence received 
orders to return to our different settlements in small squads not exceeding 
eight or ten in number to guard and protect the neighborhood from the 
incursions of the British and foreign parties. Colonel MARTIN accompanied us.”
	“We were to rejoin General GREENE shortly afterwards at the High Rock 
Ford on Haw River in Guilford County. Owing to the march, my feet became so 
blistered and sore that I was unable to proceed in consequence of which, 
Colonel MARTIN gave me a furlough. This is the reason why I did not return with 
the rest of the regiment to share in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.”
“On General GREENE’s leaving for the south, we were left to protect the 
settlements and I was not again in actual service until November following, 
when I was ordered out under Lieutenant WALKER of the dragoons (as a dragooner 
furnishing my own horse to guard the assembly of North Carolina which was then 
held its session in Salem. Captain BUSH commanded the infantry of the guard. 
After the adjournment of the assembly (Governor CASWELL having died in the 
meantime) the guard accompanied Governor ALEXANDER MARTIN, brother to Colonel 
MARTIN, my first commander to Salisbury, who succeeded Governor CASWELL. I 
received no discharge except from Lieutenant Governor MARTIN, which was verbal. 
Some time in January 1781 or not long after the Battle near Camden, 16th August 
1780, called GATES Defeat, the militia in my neighborhood was formed into 
classes of ten men each from among whom, one man was to be drafted for the U.S. 
service for the period of eighteen months. We were compelled to hazard, or to 
find a substitute, in consequence of which we paid 15 dollars each to a man by 
the name of JOHNSON, who was received as a substitute, etc.”

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/guilford/military/revwar/pensions/gates173gmt.txt

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