This Day in History: August 31

I have this Day received from General Gates Despatches, containing the disagreeable Intelligence of the total Defeat of the Army under his Command; Copies of which are enclosed. A most unhappy Event, and unexpected immediately after the Intelligence we had just received of the several Advantages gained by our Troops in that quarter. We have no particular Account of the Numbers killed or taken. Report saith that Generals Smallwood & Gist and Colonel Armand are among the slain, and that Baron de Kalb is wounded & a Prisoner. We wish for more particular Intelligence than General Gates's Letter before it is published by Authority. [More]