151From 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...
152From 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...
153From 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...
154From 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...
155From 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...
156From 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...
157From 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...
158From 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...
159From 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...
160From 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...
161From 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...
162From 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...
163From 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⟩...
164From 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...
165From 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...
166From 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;...
167From 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,...
168From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you a letter of the 8th—extracts of the 12th—and one of the 24th instant from Brigadier General Hand, which he forwarded to me, not knowing where to find you. I have mentioned in my letter to Gen: Hand my forwarding Them to you. I shall write the board of war to send the supplies of clothing for the 11th Pennsylvania regiment I shall also request them—to forward a set of shoemakers...
169From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine to you of the 3d —I have received yours of the 29th of June—I am glad to find that your second arrival of Stores and provisions was in better condition than the first—I hope what you still expect may prove equally good. I have received a letter from General Clinton of the 30th of June by which I find that his taking so large a quantity of provisions & Stores with him was in...
170From George Washington to John Sullivan, 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Armand deliver’d me your favor of the 29th Ulto last Evening & I thank you for the sevl communications contained in it —The measure adopted by Congress of appointing a Minister of War—Finance—& for Foreign Affairs I think a very wise one. To give efficacy to it, proper characters will, no doubt, be chosen to conduct the business of these departments. How far Colo. Hamilton—of whom you...
171From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 5th & 6th Instt by Express yesterday evening from Genl Schuyler, and am exceedingly happy on account of the agreable and Interesting Intelligence It contains. Before It came to hand, I almost dreaded to hear from Canada, as my advices seemed to promise nothing favourable, but rather our farther misfortunes—But I am now hopefull that our Affairs from the...
172From George Washington to John Sullivan, 25 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by the Chevr De Chatteleaux A Majr Genl in the French Service—A Gentn of polite & easy manners, and of literary as well as military abilities. I intended in my last (but having Spun my letter to an enormous length deferred it) to have observed that as Congress had made one or two late promotions from Brigadiers to Major Generals apparently on the principle...
173From George Washington to John Sullivan, 17 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th is safe at hand, & propounds a question respecting promotion which I candidly acknowledge I am puzzled to answer—with satisfaction to myself. If in all cases—ours was one Army—or thirteen Armies allied for the common defence, there would be no difficulty in solving your question—but we are occasionally both—and I should not be much out if I was to say—that we are...
174From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23–24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday has just come to hand. Fusees for the Officers would be proper; but unfortunately there are none here. You will write to the Board of War upon the subject, and mention the number that will be necessary. I have written them a line also upon the occasion; but I am not certain that they will be able to furnish either Fusees or Light Muskets—or Carbines which I have...
175From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 10th, the contents of which are of so serious a nature, with respect to the Quarter Masters and Commissary’s departments, that I thought it my duty to communicate them to General Greene and Col. Wadsworth —If there has been neglect in either department, the delinquents must be reponsible to the public and these Gentlemen ought to be acquainted...
176From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 26th and am happy to hear that your main difficulty on the score of waggons is in the way of being removed. Besides the reason assigned for the caution contained in mine of the 24th—another not less powerful is that our supplies are very unequal to the general wants of the army and that without the greatest oelig;conomy in proportioning our...
177From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
From an account I have just received I hope this will meet you on your route from Tioga. It is intended to quicken your march that you may with all possible dispatch form a junction with this army. You will feel the importance of this when I tell you that it is probable we shall shortly have a cooperation with his Excellency Count D’Estaing, which from the enemy’s numbers in New York will...
178From George Washington to John Sullivan, 20 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have obliged me very much by your friendly letter of the 12th—and I can assure you that I shall be very happy in a continuation of them —You are too well acquainted with my course of business to expect frequent, or long letters from me, but I can truely say that I shall write to none with more pleasure, when it is in my power to write at all, than I shall do to you. The determination of...
179From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 5th: I agree with you that Colo. Blands Men being natives are more to be depended upon than Colo. Moylans, but the Virginia Regiment of Horse has been so detatched the whole Winter, that I could not deny Colo. Bland his request to draw them together that they may be properly equipped, which they have never yet been. In point of opportunities of deserting there is full as...
180From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the six nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their...
181From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 19 Your favor of the 12th came to hand. I am sorry that you are like to be disappointed in the independent Companies expected from pensylvania, and that you have encountered greater difficulties than were looked for. I am satisfied that every exertion in your power will be made, and I hope your eventual operations will be attended with fewer Obstacles. I have had a conversation lately...
182From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 11th instant; and am pleased to hear of the success of your armed Vessel against the Enemy’s Foragers. I fear from the Complexion of General Glover’s letter that he will be under the necessity of leaving the Service, he had thoughts of this some time ago and it was with difficulty that he was prevailed upon to continue. Inclosed you have a Copy of the arrangement of the...
183From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favs. of the 10th 13th and 15th instants<.> I am obliged to you for the Newport paper which gives a more circumstantial account of the embarkation of the Enemy than any I had procured. The prospect of an evacuation of New York is not so great as it was some little time ago. A fleet consisting of the greatest number of their remaining Vessels is now collecting at the Hook, their...
184From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany a letter from the Board of War to you and two others to the Clothiers at Boston and Providence. You will perceive there is one point in particular, which is referred to my decision—whether the Continental troops with you shall be cloathed in the articles of Coats Jackets and breeches out of the imported ready made cloathing which has been ordered on to Springfield and...
185From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 28 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I quite forgot to enquire last night (when you were shewing me the Militia Pay Rolls) at what rates the Officers pay was charged—I am willing to allow them the same pay as the Troops here had, and have—that is, to the first of Jany agreeable to the old Establishment—(more I cannot)—& For the Month of Jany according to the present pay. this is putting of them in all respects upon a footing with...
186From 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....
187From 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...
188From 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...
189From 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...
190From 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...
191From 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...
192From 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...
193Instructions to Major General John Sullivan, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to repair to Princeton and take upon you the Command of the Troops at that Post. The Troops from Maryland, the lower Counties (on Delaware) and Hazen’s Regiment, together with the Artillery Company, and light Horse now at that place, are to remain there till further orders; all others now there, or that shall hereafter come to that Post (except the Marylanders and such detachments as...