GAGE, THOMAS
Gage, Thomas
(1719–April 2, 1787)
English General; Colonial Governor
G
age was an effi-
cient, mild-man-
nered military bu-
reaucrat, well liked for
his moderate tastes and
kindly disposition. How-
ever, he had the misfor-
tune of trying to impose
imperial will on an unruly
colonial people, without
sufficient resources to
ensure success. His in-
ability to control events
in Boston led to violence
and the outbreak of the
American Revolution.
Thomas Gage was
born in Firle, Sussex, in
1719, the son of Irish aris-
tocrats who forsook
Roman Catholicism for
the Anglican Church and
thereby enhance their po-
litical fortunes. He was
educated at the presti-
gious Westminster School and attended with
such future luminaries as George Germain
and William Howe. Gage opted for a military
career in 1741 by purchasing a lieutenant’s
commission in the 48th Regiment of Foot. The
following year he transferred as a captain to
Battereau’s Irish Corps and also tendered his
services as an aide-de-camp. In this capacity
Gage accompanied the Earl of Albemarle at
the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, and then the
Duke of Cumberland at Culloden in 1746, and
returned once more to France in 1747. He
gained a reputation as an excellent regimental
grade officer, and in 1751 Gage was installed
as colonel of the 44th Foot.
In 1755, Gage and his regiment ventured to
America to participate in the French and In-
dian War (1755–1763). His first command was
to lead the advance
guard of Gen. Edward
Braddock’s disastrous ex-
pedition against Fort Du-
quesne in western Penn-
sylvania. Gage fought
bravely during the am-
bush at Monongahela on
July 9, 1755, but his
troops, trained to fight in
the conventional Euro-
pean manner, failed to ef-
fectively counter the
woodland tactics of the
French and Indians. Dur-
ing the retreat he formed
a brief friendship with
Col. George Washington
of the Virginia militia and
corresponded with him
for several years there-
after. In 1756, Gage ac-
companied Gen. Daniel
Webb’s failed attempt to
relieve British forces gar-
risoned at Oswego, New York, and the experi-
ence prompted him to reevaluate British in-
fantry tactics.
Two years later, on his own initiative, Gage
raised and trained a new regiment, the 80th
Foot, which was the first British unit capable
of employing woodland skirmishing tactics.
He led his men into combat during Gen.
James Abercromby’s disastrous attack upon
Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) and was heavily
repulsed by Gen. Louis-Joseph Montcalm.
Gage fought well nonetheless and was pro-
moted to brigadier general in 1759. That year
he assumed command of an expedition to
capture Fort La Galette (now Ogdensburg,
New York) from the French, but he retreated
after considering his forces inadequate. This
incident branded Gage with a reputation to-Thomas Gage
Yale Center for British Art