61From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 June 1777. In his letter to GW of 19 June , Sullivan says that “I am honoured with your Excys favor of this Day.”
62From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 21 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
From every information lately received, there is reason to believe the Enemy are evacuating Brunswick by sending One Brigade after Another. It is said they are transporting their baggage both by Land & Water to Amboy with the greatest Industry. If this fact be true, I should suppose it highly expedient that you should detach a Number of Militia well acquainted with the Country South of Amboy,...
63From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of this Morning with one from Genl Maxwell to Genl Green inclosed. The Weather is still so unfavourable that I have no thoughts of putting the Army in Motion till tomorrow Morning at 4 OClock provided it is fair. Except some very considerable advantage will be gained by your marching this Evening, I would not have you turn out the Men, for without Tents, they, their Arms and...
64From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon your arrival at Pompton you are to halt your division till the intentions of the Enemy are more clearly and fully known. To come at a knowledge of this, you must endeavour, by all the means in your power, to obtain intelligence from the side of the North River, up which, I have every Reason to think they intend to move, as most of their shipping have removed from Staten Island up to New...
65From 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...
66From 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...
67From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 8 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of advices this day recd from Albany, tho’ not directly from Genl Schuyler, I find the Enemy had approached Ticonderoga and had taken post at Mount Hope. This Account comes by express from Colo. Trumbulls Brother and therefore cannot be doubted. I expect every Moment to have the particulars from Genl. Schuyler. If the North River is Genl Howes next attempt he will be sudden and...
68From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 9 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon reconsidering the propriety of your crossing the River immediately, it has been determined by a great majority of the General Officers, that as the Enemy have not yet embarked any of their Light Troops and do not seem prepared to move suddenly, you should halt in the Clove, take possession of the most advantagious Grounds and there wait till we see, more clearly the Enemy’s intentions. If...
69From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The army marched yesterday from Morris Town to this place, about eighteen miles from thence, and will proceed towards Peeks-Kill as soon as the weather permits—You will also, at the same time, march through the Clove and cross the River at the most convenient and safe place; for which purpose I would recommend it to you to consult with General Clinton. Our heavy baggage is advancing to fall...
70From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I imagine you have, in consequence of former orders, crossed the North River; but if it should not be totally effected when this reaches you, I beg it may be done as soon as possible, for from some advices in the Course of this day, it seems as if the Enemy were moving their Shipping from the watering place up towards New York, some have already gone up as far as Dob’s Ferry. From my present...
71From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The greatest part of the Fleet have fallen down from the Narrows, but we have not been able to discover whether they have gone out to Sea. As your remaining upon the East Side of the River will depend upon the Course the Fleet steers should they go out, you will hold your division ready to move at a Moments warning. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, NhHi :...
72From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received Major Morris’s letter covering the proceedings of a General Court Martial which I approve off and direct that one of the Criminals the greatest Offender may be executed pursuant thereto. This should be done in the most public manner your Situation will admit as it may serve to convince the rest of the Division that Crimes of this dye will meet the most rigorous punishment....
73From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is with no small concern, I am constrained to inform you, that I am constantly receiving Complaints from the People living contiguous to the Road of great abuses committed by the Division under your Command in their march through the Country. From their accounts, they have experienced the most wanton and insufferable injuries—Fences destroyed without the least apparent necessity, and a...
74From 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...
75From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment advised by Express that the Enemy’s Fleet is arrived at Delaware; I request that you will proceed immediately to Philadelphia with the Division under your command, in the most expeditious manner you can, observing a good order of March & conducting it so as not to injure the Troops. The Rout by Coryels will be best, as there is a sufficient number of boats to transport the...
76From 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...
77From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Express last Night from Cape May, we are informed that the Enemy’s Fleet were seen again after they first dis-appeared, from whence some people conclude that their going off, was to gain more sea Room to weather the Shoals of Cape-May; and that they will still come up Delaware: Under this uncertainty (as it is terrible to march and counter-march the Troops at this season) you are desired to...
78From 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...
79From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Morning recd yours of the 12th at the same time one from Genl Borre, by which I find Major Mullen’s Behaviour has been so exceptionable that no concessions can make any amends. I am therefore obliged to confirm the Sentence of the Court Martial. Upon a supposition that the Enemy had gone to the Eastward, I was upon my march further Northward, but an Express overtook me at this place,...
80From 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...
81From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours both of the 24th informing me of the particulars of an expedition you have lately made to Staten Island. It is unfortunate that an affair which had so prosperous a beginning should have terminated so disagreeably, as in a great measure to defeat the good consequences that might have attended it. I am however glad to hear that the officers and men distinguished...
82From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favr, and request of yesterday, I wish it was in my power to give you the compleat satisfaction you desire—but how is it possible? I saw nothing of the disposition you had made, not getting up till the action was, in a manner over; & then, employed in hurrying on a reinforcement; and looking out fresh ground to form the Troops on, which, by this time, were beginning to give...
83From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it seems most probable to me that the Enemy will ford the River upon our Right, I desire you will immediately send parties to break up and throw Obstructions in the landing places of all the Fords from Richardsons at least as high as parkers where we crossed Yesterday. Advise the Officers who superintend, not to neglect such as the Country people tell them are difficult, because at such...
84From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just receiv’d your Letter requesting a Court of Enquiry to morrow or next day which I most readily agree to provided the Situation of the Army renders it practicable, but this I much doubt as I think it highly probable we shall March some distance to morrow. I am Dr sir your mo. Obed. servt LS , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, NhHi : Sullivan Papers. The letter is addressed: “The...
85From 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...
86From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of this morning containing an extract of a Letter written by Colonel Ramsey on behalf of the Field Officers at Wilmington—their Apology Sir is sufficient to do away every thing disagreeable that has past on the subject, and to induce me to attribute their incautious expressions to the causes which they mention. You will communicate this to the Gentlemen by the first...
87From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date. It has ever been my wish and desire to allow Officers every indulgence, either intended for relaxation after the fatigues of a Campaign, or to pay that attention which is more or less due to every man in private Affairs, could I do it consistent with the public good and that trust which is reposed in me. I am convinced that you are solely influenced by the...
88From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this morning, I think it adviseable, that a couple of Officers, one from the New Hampshire and one from the Massachusetts troops should be immediately sent on by different routs, in quest of the Clothing; with directions to proceed on towards fish Kill ’till they meet it. As from other information, besides what you now communicate, I have reason to believe there is a...
89From 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...
90From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of a Resolve of Congress dated the 21st February last, by which I am directed to order a Major General to take the Command of the Troops in the State of Rhode Island in the place of Maj. General Spencer who has resigned —I have appointed you to that Duty and you are to proceed with all convenient dispatch to enter upon it. Congress have not communicated any thing to me on the...