151From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favoured with your letter of the 4th instant. The officers of Colonel Henleys Regiment shall not have occasion to complain for their commissions, if you will only direct an accurate return of the names, rank, and dates of their appointments properly authenticated. When I receive this I shall order commissions to be made out, and take the first opportunity to transmit them. But you...
152From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 6th. I regret much the tardiness of the militia, as every moment is infinitely precious, and the delay, it produces, may not only frustrate the expedition, which is a matter of the greatest importance in itself; but may expose the French fleet to some fatal disaster. I have no doubt of your utmost exertions to forward the business with all dispatch....
153George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 19, 1778 . Acknowledges receipt of Sullivan’s news concerning Rhode Island. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
154From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 6 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you some of the Officers have been Suggesting a Plan for cutting off the Enemy’s Post at Bergen, which they seem to think could be easily effected—As it may be in your power to collect certain information of the strength &Ca of that Guard which I understand consists of new Levies I would refer the matter intirely to your consideration & Discretion, wishing...
155From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Genl Clinton (at Connajoharie) which has filled me with inexpressible concern, as I apprehend the worst consequence to the Expedition under your command from the measures which have been pursued there. My intention, and which I thought had been sufficiently explained & known to you, was, that the Troops under the command of Genl Clinton should be at...
156From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering the best Mode of distressing the Enemy and rendering their situation still more disagreeable, as well as retarding their early Operations in the Field; I have determined to remove out of their reach all the Horses Waggons & fat Cattle, for which purpose I have appointed Thursday Morning next early for you, Genls Putnam, Warner, & Dickinson to do it. In the mean time you will,...
157From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 4 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Letter of yesterday respecting Lieutt Sanborn, as also his application for a discharge—As it is not my wish to strain the Law to its full extent, but to exercise it in such a manner as to prevent irregularities, & for the support of due subordination, without which no army can long exist; & as Lieutt Sanborn stands fair in the opinion & esteem of both Officers and Soldiers, and...
158From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear the determination of yourself and the General Officers upon the great reverse of your prospects, since the French Fleet left you. I however think it incumbent upon me to inform you, that from a variety of intelligence, Lord Howe put to sea again on Tuesday, his design no doubt to attempt the relief of New port, which will be easily effected, either by throwing...
159From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 May 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on this date : “I wrote to you this morning.”
160From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan or Officer Commanding at Pompton, N.J., 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
As soon as possible after receipt of this letter, you will put the Troops under your command in motion for their Winter cantonments, agreeably to the routes (which I presume has been) given to you by the Qr Mr Genl —In case these should not have reached you—Clintons and Hands Brigades will compose part of the main Army, & must march by Rockaway Bridge and Morris Town (unless by application to...
161George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 19, 1778 . Introduces Colonel Lewis de la Radière of the Corps of Engineers. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
162From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding it will be a Week tomorrow since the Fleet left the Hook, none of the Ships had, by the latest accounts, made their appearance in Delaware Bay; About Seventy Sail were seen a few days ago, off little Egg Harbour. This delay makes me suspicious that their real intentions are yet a secret to us, and therefore that we may not draw too much of our Force Southward, I desire that you...
163From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Information which gave rise to your Remove to the Scotch plains seems to have been void of foundation, and as no great good can result from yr laying in an exposed situation, but much Evil flow from a Surprize (which by the bye I hope never will happen) I can not help expressing my doubts of the propriety of yr removing where the Troops now are (if at the Scotch plains)—Our Affairs at...
164George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1779 . Agrees to send more troops to Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Promises to expedite supply of wagons. Warns against carrying too many supplies. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
165From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding your letter of the 20th Ult. was directed to be forwarded in the most expeditious manner, yet it did not reach me till last night. I shall write this day to Mr Wadsworth, who is at Hartford in Connecticut on the subject of the civil process against Capn Sessions and suggest a compromise, and his endeavours for the withdrawing, of the suit. Should this be agreed to, by the...
166From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5–6 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 31st ulto by Major Morris and of the 2d and 3d instants by Express. At the same time that the former relieved us from infinite anxiety upon your account, it served to convince—that the enemy felt the weight of their repulse, by their permitting you to pass the River without the least interruption. I sincerely congratulate you not only upon your safe retreat, but upon...
167From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By an Express this Moment received from Cape May, The Enemy’s Fleet put to Sea yesterday Morning at Eight OClock and were out of sight Three Hours when the Express came away. From this Event, it appears, Genl Howe has been practising a deep feint merely to draw our attention and whole force to this point. I am to request, that you will countermarch the Division under your command and proceed...
168From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of this Morning. The Enemy last night sent off all their spare Baggage and Women to Brunswic, and the deserters say are preparing for some move, none more probable than an attempt upon this post. Considering the extent of the Ground we have to defend, we want force to make a proper resistance. You will therefore immediately upon the Rect of this detatch one thousand...
169From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have thought it expedient to permit General Greene to go to Rhode Island, to take a part in the Enterprize, intended against the Enemy in that Quarter. You know his merit and his services, as well as I do, and therefore I need not add on that head. When the Marquiss Fayette set out, I put Varnums & Glover’s Brigades under his command, and, according to his instructions, they were to act in...
170George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 4, 1779. Congratulates Sullivan on overcoming difficulties and wishes him success on expedition against Indians. Df , in writing of H, New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord.
171George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 22, 1778 . Sends information concerning position of enemy fleet in the Sound. LS , in the writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City. The letter is endorsed as follows in writing of H: The expresses are positively ordered to ride day & night without fail. Head Quarters Alex Hamilton Augt. 22d. 78 Aide De Camp
172George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 15, 1777. Exhorts Sullivan not to imagine slights. Discusses separate commands. States that the only separate command is that of the Northern Department. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
173From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening. Ignorant as I am of the ground which you occupy at the Scotch plains, I can not possitively determine whether it is tenable or not. However let me recommend to you to consider maturely whether the Advantages that may accrue from yr neighbourhood to the Enemy, can balance the Consequences that must result from yr being driven from it. ’Tis true yr...
174From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It ever has been, and I hope ever will be, a ruling principle with me, to endeavour to do impartial justice to every officer, over whom, I have the honor to preside. I shall therefore, in answer to the quæries, contained in your letter of this date, readily declare— That although, I ascribed the misfortune which happened to us on the 11th of September, principally to the information of Major...
175From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 6 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I defered replying to your favor of the 2d inst. on the Subject of Capt. Sullivan, ’till I should have an opportunity of assisting my memory relative to the Resolve of Congress of the 19th Jany, by consulting some papers in which the Substance of it is recited I find it in the following words, so far as concerns the particular question before us—“All Continental Officers prisoners with the...
176From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 6 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 4th with its inclosure from Governor Livingston dated the 2d, relative to the enemy’s preparations on Staten Island. Should your subsequent information look like a serious intention of invading the State, it may be proper to move to Pompton, and hold yourself in readiness to act agreeable to circumstances. The large collections of forage have no doubt...
177From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 10th came to hand late last night. The intentions of the Enemy are yet very mysterious. From the expression of your letter, I take it for granted that General Gray had embarked again after destroying Bedford; and by his hovering about the Coast, and Lord Howe’s coming round again to New port, I cannot but think, that they mean something more than a diversion or deception. The...
178From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received advice that the enemy (said to be 5000) landed yesterday at Amboy and were advancing towards Brunswick. Their intent yet unknown but I think a forage or the interruption of our stores from the Southward is most probable. The Virginia division and the light infantry who were near Kakeyate marched this morning at Sun rise to Paramus, from whence they will proceed as...
179From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 2d, with its inclosure, last night—I am glad to find that your affairs seem now to be in good train. In answer to the question you make on the paragraph you recite from my instructions, I shall observe that it is not to be supposed the events you suggest can take place without a good deal of previous negotiation and delay and after all would be precarious as to...
180From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By an Express this Minute come to hand from Congress, We are informed, General How’s Fleet is arrived in Chesepeak Bay and are high up in the North East part of It. I have inclosed a Copy of the dispatches upon the Subject, to which I refer you. You will immediately march with your Division and join this Army, proceeding with all convenient expedition, but not in such a manner, as to injure...
181From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 22d—The three Brigades mentioned to you in my last marched yesterday morning towards Hartford—I have directed General Gates to open a correspondence with General Heath and yourself—that you may give him instant advice of the arrival of the enemy’s fleet which lately sailed from the Hook—should they be designed to operate Eastward—in order that he might...
182From George Washington to John Sullivan, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honord with your Favor of the 2d instant—& have to give you my sincere Thanks for your kind wishes & offers to do all in your Power to forward our intended Operations. I could wish your Stay in Congress might be continued longer than you intimate—as your Efforts there, from your Knowlege of Military Matters, might be of essential Service to our Designs—The Army is now drawn near to...
183From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last letter of the 18th Inst. I observed that the whole tenor of intelligence from New-York suggested an immediate evacuation of the place. My accounts since from different quarters still wear the same complexion and seem to bring it nearer to a crisis. An intelligent officer stationed at Amboy reports—that on the 16th Otbr about twelve ships fell down to the Hook—and the 17th early in...
184From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 5th and 6th I am sorry that any misunderstanding between you and Doctor Cochran should have gone to such disagreeable lengths. When your first letter of complaint was put into my hands, Doctr Shippen the director General was standing by me, I delivered it immediately to him as it belonged to his department and never heard more of the matter till I received your last. As I...
185From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 6th and 7th instants. I hope your next will inform me of your arrival at Tioga without interruption, and of your having formed a junction with General Clinton, of which event I am exceedingly anxious to hear. I have furnished the Commissary General of Purchases with such parts of your letters as respect your Magazine of provision, and have directed him to ord⟨er⟩...
186From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received information, which has the appearance of authenticity, that the enemy have from an hundred to an hundred and fifty vessels in the sound near Frog’s point. This intelligence, I think it necessary to communicate to you that you may be upon your guard. What may be the purpose of these vessels can only be matter of conjecture. On the supposition, that the enemy have reason to...
187From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine which was dispatched a few hours ago, I acknowleged the receipt of your favour of yesterday —I think with you it will be expedient to send two or three hundred more troops to Wyoming. It will be lamentable, if there should be any material delay on the score of waggons—General Greene has possitively assured me there would not—I shall immediately speak to him again on the subject, and...
188From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Brandt at the head of a party of Whites & Indians said to have amounted to eighty or ninety men has lately made an incursion into the Minisinks and cut off a party of fifty or sixty of our militia. It is reported that Brandt himself was either killed or wounded in the action —By a fellow belonging to this party, who has fallen into our hands, as he pretends voluntarily (but is suspected to...
189George Washington to John Sullivan, 25 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 25, 1780 . Introduces the Chevalier de Chastellux. Asks Sullivan to support the promotion of Brigadier General Henry Knox and Washington’s ideas on the “Inspectorate department.” Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Sullivan was at this time a member of Congress from New Hampshire. François Jean,...
190From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you yesterday, informing you, that a number of transports were in the sound. Last night they got under way and proceeded Eastward as far as opposite to Oyster bay; where they seem to have been stopped by the wind being contrary. There were from sixty to seventy sail. From every intelligence it appears certain, that a considerable number of troops have crossed over to Long Island;...
191From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 18th and 19th: I have recd no accounts from the enemy since I wrote to you last, except that the troops under Genl Gray landed at White Stone upon Long Island—Another considerable embarkation is much talked of in N. york, but whether it is really to take place, or what is the destination I cannot learn with precision. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing,...
192From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this day favor’d with your letter of 7th Instant—I am happy to hear that you are so far recover’d as to be able to Join your Division, & expect the Regimen you propose to follow will effectually remove all your Complaints. I have repeatedly wrote to the Clothier Genl respecting the Articles of his Department, particularly shoes, & have order’d him to search the Continent rather than let...
193From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, of what you have probably heard before this time, that the Admiral Count D’Estaing has arrived upon the Coast, and now lays off Sandy Hook, with a fleet of twelve Ships of the Line and four Frigates belonging to his most Christian Majesty. The design of this fleet is to co-operate with the American Armies, in the execution of any plans, which shall be deemed...