1Plan for Attacking Boston, 18–25 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Orders, we have considered the Matters referred to Us, & beg leave to recommend the following Signals to be given from Roxbury, in Case of any Movement of The Enemy to Distress our People at Dorchester Hill: Signal in Case the Enemy begin to Embarque, a Flagg on Roxbury meeting House; If they Actually Land at Dorchester Two Flaggs, One, over the Other; In case...
2To George Washington from Brigadier Generals John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and Lord Stirling, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the orders given us we have met & deliberated upon the several matters referred to us by your Excellency & beg leave to report, That the following signals be given upon the approach of any number of Ships toward this Port Viz. Upon the appearance of any number of Ships by day from one to six a large flag is to be hoisted on the Highlands of Never sink, upon the appearance of...
3To George Washington from Major Generals John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and Adam Stephen, 28 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In obedience To your Excellencys order we have met and Considered The Pretensions of Colo. Moylan and Colo. Bland to Rank in the Army of The United American States; And beg Leave to Report That we are Unanimously of Opinion That Colo. Moylan is Intituled to Rank in the Army before Colo. Bland; which is Humbly Submitted to your Excellencey by your Excellenceys most obedt Servants LS , in...
4Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
5To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, with Memoranda on the Moose, 22 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I was some time since honored with your favor of the 27th of April and postponed my answer in order to obtain Mr. Dores answer to your Queries respecting the Moose. I now inclose you Mr. Hasseys answer to my Letter with answers to your Queries taken by him from Mr. Dore and the other Hunters in that Quarter. I also send you answers from Gilbert Warren a famous hunter in the province of Main....
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, with Account of Expenses for Obtaining Moose Skeleton, 26 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter comes by my good friend Captain Samuel Pierce on board of whose vessel I send a Large Box containing the Articles mentioned in the Inclosed Account, which will show you the amount of Expences. A copy of my directions to him which I also inclose will show the means used by me to forward those expensive Curiosities to you. Capt. Pierce from motives of friendship for me has engaged to...
7To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and Anthony Wayne, 23 … (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency, We the Subscribers, General Officers in the American Army, beg leave to represent, That we have severally been accus’d of unsoldierly Conduct, dangerous Neglect, and other Crimes, which, had they been prov’d, must have blacken’d our Characters as Officers, and sunk us beneath the Reproaches of our Country. In Consequence of these malicious Accusations, Courts...
8From John Sullivan, with John McDuffee’s Answers to Queries concerning the Moose, 5 March 1781–12 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose answers to your Queries respecting the Moose , and beg you will excuse the long delay. It was late in February when I arrived at Durham and being deeply impressed with the necessity of having your Queries answered with the greatest exactness I wrote to persons in various parts of the Country but have as yet received no answers but the inclosed. My principal...
9To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Should have Long Since wrote your Excellencey was there any thing in this Quarter worth Ingaging your attention. I found upon my Journey Home that there was not the Least probability of the Enemys attempting to Rescue Genl Burgoine & Army: I therefore went to New Hampshire where I tarried about twelve Days upon my Arrival here I found no Troops worth mentioning & by the Inclosed Return your...
10To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning Received the Inclosed Intelligence from Colo. Greene and have no doubt but the Fleet he mentions is Byrons or that part of it which has Escaped The Late Storms. by Some Reports A part of that Fleet viz. three Ships were Cast away on Nantucket Shoals—The Newport paper gives an Account that Euleven British A Number of Foreign Regiments & Several of the New Raised Corps have Sailed...
11Order of March from Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania, 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency Gen. Washington Commander in Chief of the American Army. Persuant to your Excellency’s Orders We have consider’d upon a proper Order of March for the Army in crossing the Schulkill & recommend that the Troops march in the following Order Viz. Part of Pennsylvania Militia under Potter first. The Baggage Stores and Park of Artillery to cross at Sweeds Ford setting off at least...
12To George Washington from John Sullivan, 20 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter is an answer to a Letter received from Baron Stubend inclosing the plan for forming the society of Cincinnati. since writing the inclosed I have had the pleasure of being informed that your Excellency, has honored the society by becoming The president, I therefore take the Liberty of forwarding to your Excellency my answer for your perusal and should be happy in receiving...
13To George Washington from John Sullivan, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will (I doubt not) forgive my Neglect in not writing you when I assure you that I have had nothing to communicate which Could give you pleasure or avoid giving you pain—& that I was unwilling to add to the pressure which your mind has been so Long Accustomed to—to Enumerate the Evils which have flown from party Spirit from inattention and from other Sources would fill a volume in Folio. we...
14To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 11 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
upon Seeing Some Cloathing pass by here & knowing that my men are in a wretched Condition for Cloaths both officers & Soldiers & that we are always too far Detached from the Main Army to Draw I Ran the venture to Stop Some Riffle Frocks Some Shirts & three pieces of Cloaths which Qr Mr Sheriff has Sent a Recet for to the Cloathier Genl & will Deal them out if yr Excy aproves our having them if...
15To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are Still Silent I have no news of the Fleet all the news of this Quarter is in the paper which I have the honor to Inclose. I am Dear General with much Respect & Esteem yr Excellenceys most obedt Servant ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed newspaper has not been identified. Sullivan apparently had already sent GW a copy of the most recent issue of the Providence Gazette; and Country Journal...
16To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 29 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a Letter from Major General Sullivan dated Wyoming 29th June 1779. [“]I was this morning honored with your Excellencys favour (without date) Acknowledging the receipt of mine of the 12th coming to hand on the 19th Inst. I am happy to Inform your Excellency that thirty six of our boats have arrived this morning with Stores & that the provisions are in a much better Condition than...
17To John Adams from John Sullivan, 28 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I Recollect That I Stand Indebted to you one Letter for your favor of the 22d. Feby and have nothing to plead in Excuse for nonpayment but want of Ability. I had Just before I was honoured with your Letter received a Fall from my Horse which Disabled me from writing. I Soon after went to the Eastward and did not return till the 15th Instant. Since which I have been much Engaged in getting...
18To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy having made a Descent upon Woodbridge from Staten Island & Taken about twelve of the Inhabitants and a hundred head of Cattle I Thought it would not be amiss to make Reprizals. I was Sensible that the Least movement of my Troops that way would Alarm the Disaffected who would Soon Communicate it to Staten Island I therefore gave out That I had received orders to march toward...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This morning at Day break I rece’d your Excellencys favour of the 16 Instant—am Extremely mortified to find that Every thing here has Turned out Contrary to my Expectations & your Excellencys wishes This was not owing to my being Deceived with Respect to the Enemy on the ground at the time I wrote but to the Sudden arrival of Such a number under General Burgoyne the night before the battle of...
20To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to Inclose your Excellencey Copy of a Letter from Govr Livingston & beg your Excellenceys Direction —Should you think proper I will move the Troops on Return of the Express & will be preparing for a march untill he returns Should yr Excy think it not prudent to move there can no Inconvenience Arise from the preparations which may be made I have the Honor to be my Dear Genl...
21To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 7 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from General Sullivan dated at Wyalusing 7th Augt 1779. “In my last I gave your Excellency a particular and just Account of the state of my provisions, since which I have determined to keep open if possible the Channel of supplies, for my apprehensions of failure arise more from a probability of want, than from any possible resistance of the Enemy. Your Excellency will...
22To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 14th Inst: & have notified your Approbation of the sentence against the unfortunate Majr Mullins. I have also rectified the mistake about the Pay Abstracts agreable to your Excellency’s directions. I am inclined to think your Excellency will soon hear from Mr Howe at the Southward where I beleive he is bound, & will even land though...
23To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 6 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 6 Sept. 1778. On 9 Sept., GW wrote Sullivan : “I am favd with yours of the 5th and 6th.”
24To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Just Returnd from the western Shore. I find Byron has Eleven Ships of the Line Strung along in the Channel a 74 has Lately come in Dis Masted There are a number of other Ships nearer in toward the Town which I Suppose to be Frigates & transports. Every Account Seems to Speak an Evacuation Though not So Sudden as I once thought—the Dismasting his 74 will I think Detain them Some time I...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 29 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here in about twenty four hours after I Left you have Collected Powder So as to make up near thirty Barrels & have Since been preparing to Set an Example to the other Seaports by Setting the Fleet at Defiance upon my arrival I was Surprized to find that the Boom So much Talked of was not prepared That the Bridge Intended for Crossing from the main to the Island whereon Stands the...
26To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Sullivan on 31 Oct. : “I have your favr of the 28th.”
27To George Washington from John Sullivan, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
My being on a Committee appointed to Confer with the Minister of France upon European affairs and to Draw up Instructions for our Minister appointed to negotiate a peace has Deprived me untill now of the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the 29th Ulto; or rather the Duplicate--altho I am not pleased at the originals falling into the Enemys hands I think that...
28To John Adams from John Sullivan, 8 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
You cant oblidge me more than by giving me a Line to Inform whether you are, or are not alive ; I begin to grow Suspicions and am therefore uneasy. I Should be Exceeding unhappy if you were to Steal a march upon me During the present Contest. I am Determined to See it out. I wrote a Line beging your opinion upon Some Points but (Like Saul in Distress) I can get no answer. I fear Therefore...
29To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 3 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had Last night the honor of Receiving your Excellenceys Favor of the first Instant & impatiently wait your Excellenceys Sentiments on The Steps I have taken Since the 29th ult. an Account of which has been Transmitted by Major Morris. The Justice of the observations in your Excellenceys Letter Respecting the Departure of the French Fleet are So obvious That if a Consciousness of my Duty to...
30To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 14 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 14 June 1777. GW begins his second letter to Sullivan of 14 June by saying that “I am favd with yours of this morning.”
31To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with your Excys favor of this morning I am to be upon the Business you are pleased to Mention this afternoon & Shall take Care to See that Every thing is in Readiness as I know much of your Excellys time will be taken up. As I am to go upon the Business by appointment at three of Clock your Excelly will please to Excuse my not doing myself the honor to Dine with you to...
32To George Washington from John Sullivan, 2 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency General Washington The humble Petition of John Sullivan Humbly Sheweth—That your Excellencys Petitioner is a Native of the County of Kerry in the Kingdom of Ireland that he had a Brother by the Mothers side whose name was Timothy Mahony who was Clerk to Mr Sullivan of Massachusets Bay as appears by the last Account that came from him. That—Your Excellencys Petitioner has...
33To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Fates have Decreed that you Shall receive nothing but Disagreable Intelligence from this Quarter. Major General Green & the Marquis Returned the night before Last from the French Admiral. my Letter their Intreaties & General Greens written Remonstrance Drawn up on Board the Languedoc have only produced the Letter which I Inclose. it Seems That the Captains of the French Fleet are So...
34To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, 26 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a petition from Mr. Darby to his most Christian majesty respecting a vessell condemned at port au prince with Copies of Depositions to Support the facts therein alledged. Your Excellencey will at once Discover how Injuriously Mr. Darbey has been treated and how by the Art and Design of the Two French Merchants mentioned he has suffered a Loss which...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 10 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Winter Hill, 10 March 1776 . “As Brigadier Genl of the Day Yesterday Orderd the Guards to be visited; found them alert as usual. ADS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls. Sullivan included in his report a return of the guards with “Occurrences” at several of the posts. At 10:00 a.m. on 9 Mar., he reported that he “went Down the River in a Boat by Bunkers Hill[.] no Large cannon there & but...
36To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 4 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your Excellencys favor of the 29th Instant Nothing new in the Enemys movements has taken place Since my Last. your Excellencey was pleased to Inclose me a Resolve of Congress respecting General Gates—I am at a Loss to know Either the Reason or the meaning of it. how far his Command will Interfere with mine his Conduct will Explain & point out the path I ought to pursue. in...
37To John Jay from John Sullivan, 21 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have hitherto delayed troubling congress with any accounts from this quarter, from a hope, that before this time I should have been able to have given them more favourable accounts from this quarter, than is now in my power. My duty to the publick & regard to my own reputation, compel me to State to congress the reasons of the army under my command being so long delayed at this post, without...
38To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to yr ordr of Last Eveng I have Consd the practicability of making an Attack upon the Enemy in Ph.—& weighed its probable Consequence in Every view That occurred to me. In order to Determine whether Such an Attempt is Likely to Succeed it is Necessary to Consider the Enemys Situation. The manner of our making the Attack on the Lines & the Mode of attack we must adopt for Carrying the...
39[To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, 17 April 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Durham, N.H., 17 Apr. 1787 . Recorded in SJL as received 26 Sep. 1787 (not found); enclosed in Sullivan to TJ, 29 May 1787 . See Sullivan to TJ, 16 Apr. 1787 ; TJ to Sullivan, 5 Oct. 1787 .]
40To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 June 1777. In his letter to John Hancock of 29–30 June , GW says that “Sullivan informs me by a Letter just now received, that from all the Intelligence he has been able to obtain to day.”
41To George Washington from John Sullivan, 29 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to recommend to your Excellencys notice the bearer Capt. Selin who is Soliciting a Captaincy in Hazens Regiment. As he have Served with me I take the Liberty of assuring your Excellency that he is truly a Deserving officer And will do honor to the appointment if confered upon him. I have the Honor to be with much respect your Excellencys most obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George...
42To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Conduct of the Commissaries having involv’d me in some difficulty, I beg leave to represent the Affair to your Excellency for your Advice and directions. Immediately on receiving Intimation from your Excellency, that there was a probability of an expedition against Rhode Island, and, that proper Magazines should be established I applied to the Commissaries, who supplied this department,...
43To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 30 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that having formd the junction with General Clinton without loss, we marchd from Tioga the 26th in the afternoon, the Rains had swell’d the Cayuga so as to render our march to Chemung very difficult, as we had to ford the River twice in our Rout. We arriv’d there in the evening of the 28th and marchd for the place early in the morning of the 29th...
44To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can only Inform you at present that the Enemy have Left Bedford but are Still Hovering Round the Shore they have Burnt ten Dwelling Houses all the Stores & all the vessels but one in Bedford Sir Henry Clinton Left them at New London & Returned to New york in a Frigate Major General Gray Commands the Party which Consists of one Regt of Light Infantry & one of Granadiers of Six hundred men...
45To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
After combating with all the elements and contending with every disappointment and misfortune I have so far completed the bridge that little remains but what may be done in two or three days after the plank is ready and the weather will permit. It will be of no use to keep the carpenters longer at the bridge until the weather is favourable and the plank is prepared. The erecting and securing...
46To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, c.19 June 1777. An undated letter from GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton to Sullivan, apparently written in reply to the postscripts of Sullivan’s letter to GW of 19 June , says: “His Excellency has received your two last favours to day—In the first you hint the want of a reinforcement” (see Sullivan to GW, 19 June 1777, n. 2 ).
47To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday morning Spencers and Malcolms Regiments are Lying here not in the heighths of good Humor. Courtlandts Regt I can hear nothing of: Capt. Craige Late of the Light Horse arrived This Day at 2 oC. P.M. from Mohacomac & Says he heard nothing of them though he Enquir⟨ed.⟩ I Suppose they have not marched—I have Sent to Fort Pen for Capt. Patterson & made Every other Enquiry...
48Major General John Sullivan’s Opinion, 29 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Questions and Answers Questn 1st? Whether will it be prudent in our present Circumstances & Strength to Attempt by a General Attack to Dislodge the Enemy. And if it is & we unsuccessful where Shall we Retreat To. Answer As General Howe is Reduced to Circumstances Exceeding Intricate from which nothing can Relieve him but a Successful General Action As it is the only thing he ought to wish for...
49To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 9 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 9 June 1777. Richard Kidder Meade wrote Sullivan on 10 June: “The Genl [GW] was favor’d with your letter of yesterday” ( DLC:GW ).
50To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Disorder has not abated but has Really weakened me So much that I am totally unable to wait on yr Excy to Day—with Respect to the Small pox my opinion is that the only way to get Rid of it is Immediately to Send all Infected persons to Some Back Town where an hospital Should be Erected; to this place Should Every person be Sent if the Symptoms of the Disorder appears on him. at this place...