51To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 January 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 Jan. 1776. On 23 Jan. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Sullivan: “I have it in command from his Excellency to inform you, that General Gates handed him your letter of the 22 inst.” ( DLC : Peter Force Collection). For the full text of Harrison’s letter to Sullivan of 23 Jan., see GW to Sullivan, 28 Jan. 1776 , source note.
52To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 4 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
4 March 1776 . “As General officer of the Day Yesterday I visited all The Guards herein after mentioned. . . . I also ordered the field officers of the Day to go the Rounds by Night which they Did & found the Guards vigilent & Sentries alert.” ADS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls. Sullivan included in his report a return of the guards at Winter Hill, Plowed Hill, the White House,...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 5–6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform you that I Arriv’d here at a very Critical Moment with my Brigade. Genl Thompson was Left with but very few men to Defend this Important post. The Troops being Scatter’d about in a most Shocking manner. I had Issued Orders for all the well men to follow me as upon Departure of Genl Worster & the Death of General Thomas the Command Devolved on me: having given...
54To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 20 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Sullivan on 3 March : “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.”
55To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 15 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Deserters as well as from various other Channels I have a Confirmation of the Accounts given in my Last a Searjent, a Searjent major, two privates, with an Inhabitant Came off two Days Since The Searjent major is very Intelligent he Says that The Transports are all preparing to take in Troops that they are ordered to be ready by the 18th Instant & he has no Reason to Doubt of their Quitting...
56To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Flag Just Returned from Newport I find that Admiral Biron in a Ninety gun Ship has Arrived at Newport a Seventy four gun Ship has also Arrived with him: Those Ships were Seperated from the Fleet in a Storm —The Fleet which I mentioned to your Excellencey as going westward have not Since been heard of I then thought New London might be their object but as they have not been Discovered in...
57To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Several of The General officers of the Army have been with me This morning To Consult upon Some Measure to be pursued Respecting Some Late promotions which have taken place To Their prejudice They are about meeting to make a proper Representation of their Grievances to your Excellencey and To Congress as Soon as may be in the Interim They beg your Excellencey would Defer Announcing in orders...
58To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recollect once to have Read That on the Fatal Ides of March, when Cesar was going to the Capitol Artemidorus presented him with a paper Containing Those words “Cesar Beware of Brutus Take Heed of Cassius come not Near Casca have an Eye to Cinna; Trust not Trebonius; Brutus Loves thee not These men have all but one mind and That is bent agt Cesar if Thou art not Immortal Look about Thee:...
59To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 12 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 12 June 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Sullivan on 12 June, saying that “His Excellency was favoured with Yours of to day.”
60To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Temple is now on his way to Fredericksburgh with an intention to pay his Respects to your Excellency. From a long Acquaintance with this Gentleman’s Character and from every thing I can learn with respect to the part he has taken in the present Controversy—I think I can venture to assure your Excellency that his Wishes and Actions have been correspondently favorable to America. And I doubt...
61To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Afternoon the Enemy formed & attempted to pass the Road by Bedford a smart fire between them and the Rifle Men ensued, the Officer sent off for a Reinforcement which I ordered down Immediately, a number of Musketry came up to the Assistance of the Rifle Men whose fire with that of our field peices caused a Retreat of the Enemy our Men followed them to the House of Judge Lefferds, where a...
62To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Count De-Estaing and myself were by Agreement to land our Forc[e]s here this Morning but I having received Intelligence early Yesterday Morning that the Enemy had abandoned the north End of the Island entirely in Consequence of the French Fleets coming up the River thought it best to push over without Loss of Time the whole of my Troops which accordingly was done —immediately after our...
63To George Washington from John Sullivan, 30 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I again take the liberty of troubling Yr Excellency with a Letter for Colo. Holland which incloses a Resolve of our assembly rescinding a former one respecting his wifes admittance to visit her Children in this State—& beg Your Excellency will please to forward it by a flag to New York. I have the honor to be with the most perfect Esteem Dear General Your most obedt & very humble Servant DLC :...
64To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 10 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 10 June 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on 11 June : “I have yours of yesterday with Colonel Formans letter inclosed.”
65To George Washington from John Sullivan, 6 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Duly honored with your Excellencys favor of the 4th of Feby & omitted writing Since upon a Supposition that you had gone to Rhode Island. I am happy to find your Excellencey Entertains the Same Sentiments of the virtues and abilities of Colo. Hamilton, as I have Ever Done myself—After I wrote your Excellency I found The Eyes of Congress Turned on Robert Morris of this City as Financier....
66To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the hono’r to inform your Excellency, that some time after Colo. Jacksons Corps arriv’d in this department, a number of his Officers presented a Memorial to me, setting forth, that, Colo. Jackson did not behave as He shoud have done in the Action of Monmouth, and expressing their dissatisfaction, in being commanded by an Officer, whose Courage and Conduct, they had powerful reasons to...
67To George Washington from John Sullivan, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 20th of December, was refered to a Committee of which I have the Honor to be one. We yesterday gave in a Report which being read appeared satisfactory to Congress as no objection was made to it. I moved That previous to its being Considered it might be refered to your Excellency for your opinion upon which it was recommitted; and The Committee Instructed to...
68To George Washington from John Sullivan, c.12 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was Some time Since honored with your favor of the 15th December, since which I have been tottally Incapable of writing untill within two Days past. I now take the Liberty to Intreat your Excellencys acceptance of my Thanks for the many oblidging things therein Contained. Though unfortunate Circumstances have Seperated me from you in the Military Line, I flatter myself that your Excellencey...
69To George Washington from John Sullivan, 26 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 20th Instant—and feel myself under the greatest obligation for your obliging Condescension in Consenting to a Continuation of my Letters. Sensible of your Situation & Course of Busines⟨s⟩ I feared to write Lest your Politeness Should Divert your attention from important matters & Lead you to answer Even where an Answer appeared unnecessary. But...
70To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I met the Inclosed at this place & Take the Liberty to Inclose the whole to Your Excy that You may See our prospects & have an Idea of the Existing Difficulties The ⟨Ne⟩w Hampshire Regt Seems to be without Tents or any thing Else I was apprehensive that unless Tents was mentioned in the orders Sent for marchg they would Come without them Yr Excy will please to forward the Letter to Genl Green...
71To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 6 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 6 July 1777. In his letter to Sullivan of 7 July , GW writes that “I have yours of the 5th and 6th” and that “Yours dated the 5th but I suppose meant for the 6th is come to hand.”
72To George Washington from John Sullivan, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Though the Distresses of our Army, the Success of the Enemy in the Southern States; The certainty of the Second Division not coming to America; and the Disposition of the Sovereigns of Russia, and Germany, to dictate a Peace; when the uti possidetes if admitted would Operate to deprive us of very important parts of the united States: Yet I would forbear congratulating Your Excellency on the...
73To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is all the Intelligance of this Day The Sloops & Schooners mentioned by General Cornell by the name of the mesqueto Fleet are undoubtedly the Fleet which I mentioned in a former Letter went from Newport & Stood Eastward Hugging the Shore —The other Fleet mentioned by Genl Cornell is Grays—The Ships which Colo. Peabody mentions as Coming into the Harbor are Lord Howes Fleet Joined to...
74To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to Inclose you our Arrangment of the field officers of Light Horse which the Board Directed me to forward. upon a Supposition that your Excellencey would Call in their former Commissions & grant them De novo we Took the Liberty of Hinting At the Dates their Respective Commissions Should Bear—but if that is Disapprovd by your Excellencey, our opinion is that they Rank as...
75To George Washington from John Sullivan, 16 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I must beg you to pardon the freedom I have taken in enclosing two Letters with a Resolve of our Assembly to Your Excellency and requesting the favor of you to Send them by a Flag to New york. having taken my Leave of the political and Military World your excellency can expect, nothing interesting or entertaing from my Pen, I shall therefore only beg Leave to assure You that, I participate in...
76To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
previous to Receiving yr Excys favor Informing that a Court of Inquiry Should Determine the matter Respecting the Comp[lain]t made by Hazen & Hall I had in order to find out the Truth of the affair appointed a Court of Inquirey the result of which I do my Self the Honor to Inclose your Excellency. You Can from this Easily Discover whether there was any foundation for this Complaint I did not...
77To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 14 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s esteem’d Favor of the 20th of December, and in answer to it, beg leave, to inform your Excellency, that Colo. Jackson’s Band is by no means compleat. He has four Musicians & but two Instruments of Music which were procur’d by his officers without any expence to the Public. His principal Musician does the duty of Fife Major, and...
78To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can give you no Information from this Quarter Save that Amiral Biron in the Ninety Gun Ship Accompanied by the Seventy four Left Newport Sunday Last, they had Genl Pigot on Board. Lord Howe in a fifty Gun Ship came to Newport & on Monday Sailed for England Genl Pigot by Letter Informed me that his private affairs called him to Europe & that my Correspondence must be with General Prescott in...
79To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my Last I had the Honor of Receiving your Excellenceys favor of the 22d Instant giving an Account of two Divisions of the Fleet having Sailed I am far from thinking their Design is to operate in this Quarter yet your Excellenceys Instructions (to be prepared) Like all your other orders have with me a weight which I Trust will Ever witness how Little Influence my own Judgment has in the...
80To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have The Honor to Inclose yr Excellencey a pitiful Letter from My Man of The Intelligent Countenance by which appellation he was well known Last Campaign & gave us the best Intelligence we Ever had. I beg your Excellencey to Let me know what answer I am to give him & whether any Thing is to be Done for him. I have heard from various Quarters that the Enemy are about Embarking & Say they are...
81To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from Genl Sullivan Dated at Easton June 12th 1779. I should have moved from this post before now but the stores not having got up the Susquehannah I thought it imprudent to throw the whole army on to consume the provisions before we were in readiness to move on. I expect an Officer to return from Wyoming this day who was sent on to examine into the state of affairs and hope...
82To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 Jan. 1777. GW’s second letter to Sullivan of 28 Jan. says that “the Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening.”
83To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am Informed by Letter from the president of the Councill of New Hampshire Informing That that State Sensible of Colo. Scammells merit appointed him Colo. of one of their Regiments though he was from another State —I conclude therefore that as This appointment was Accepted by him before yo⟨ur⟩ Excys orders could have Reached him & as the (Infamous New England) Bounty will be an Inducement to...
84To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your Excellency’s esteem’d Favo’r Of the 17th Instant, and shall take every necessary precaution & make every necessary Provision for their Reception, shou’d the Enemy bend their Force this way—In my last I had the Hono’r to inform your Excellency, (which I presume you have before this recievd,) that the Fleet which was the Subject of your Excellency’s enquiry...
85To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 6 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Some matters Calling off your Excellencys attention After you had mentioned Something of my Resignation prevented my giving your Excy Satisfaction on that head—I therefore take the Freedom to Trouble you with a Line on the Subject I freely Confess that nothing gives me more pain than to think of Abandoning a Commander who has Studied to make me and all others as Happy as the nature of the...
86To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
my ill State of health prevents my waiting upon your Excellencey in Person. I am Exceeding Unwilling to give you Trouble: but Doubt not of your Excys readiness to do Justice to Every Person under your Command. I have been most Scandalously Accused before Congress & before the world & nothing can Totally Destroy the Effects of this Calumny but a Declaration of your Excellencey in favor of my...
87To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
being Desired by Capt. Miller Late of Colo. Doolittles Regt to Certify in his favour to Your Excellency I can only Say that he Acted as Capt. in That Regiment till the 26 of Novr then by vote of the Regt (as I was Informed) he Acted as major—I Never knew or heard he had a Commission for that purpose till he Informed me of it yesterday I well remember he gave in his name among the Captains To...
88To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have within this hour had the honor of receiving your favor and am happy in having it in my power to relieve your Excellency from the state of anxiety you are in for the Counts safety. He last evening appeared of this harbour & I was soon after surprised with the inclosed letter from Count d’Cambis who was dispatched in a frigate by the Admiral for the purpose of more speedily conveying the...
89To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the reciept of your Excellency’s esteem’d favor of the 14th of last Month, wherein, you express an uneasiness, at a Spirit of Mutiny which General Varnum assures you, has made its appearance among the Troops, whom I have the honor to command. As I was not before acquainted with this Circumstance, was not a little surpriz’d to recieve my first information, from...
90To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 5 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, Two N. Hampshire Volunteers (who were capturd in Rhode Island & since exchangd) have brought out a Newport Gazette containing the following Intelligence—“That Sir Harry Clinton with the Troops arrivd there on Tuesday last & saild again on the 2d Instant[”] —I have it likewise from General Cornell who is station’d at Tiverton, that the British Fleet had saild passd Newport & were...
91To George Washington from John Sullivan, 9 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning Honored with your Excellency favor of the 25th Instant; I shall be happy to See the Chavalier De Chaltelieux and to pay him every mark of respect & attention in my Power. The Confidence your Excellency is pleased to place in me is exceeding flattering and I can with great Truth assure you That no person Desires more to Comply with your wishes relieve you from the Anxiety you...
92To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 21 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 21 June 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote Sullivan on 21 June that “yours of this morning is come to hand.”
93IV: From Major General John Sullivan, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I Sent you the message by Major Morris I Saw Maj⟨or⟩ J⟨ose⟩ph Spear of the Militia who Came This morning from a Tavern Called Martins on the Forks of Brandywine he Came from thence to Welches Tavern & heard nothing of the Enemy about the Forks of the Brandywine & is Confident they are not in that Quarter So that Colo. Hazens Information must be wrong—I have Sent to that Quarter to know...
94To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 17 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, c.17 June 1777. When writing to Sullivan on 18 June, GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman says that “Yours from Garrisons Tavern reached his Excellency about Midnight.”
95To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 15 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inclose your Excelly a Letter from Colo. Butler Respecting Doctor Jones who is very Desireous of going on the Western Expedition as I know nothing more of Colo. Butlers Reasons than are mentioned in the Letter & nothing at all Respecting the Call that may be for Mr Jones to Remain with the army I can only Inclose Colo. Butlers Letter & Submit the Matter to your Exceys...
96To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform you that we have already Collected a Magazine amply Sufficient for all possible Demands. The French Fleet has not yet arrived the Marquis will be in on the 29 as he writes me and we Shall be in perfect Readiness My numbers I trust will be Sufficient for the purpose if a few more old troops had been Sent on it might have been Better but Even as it is I have not a...
97To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Returned from Still water where I have been To give Some Dire[c]tions about Conveying the provisions forward to our Troops in Canada immediately upon the Receipt of The Letters which I forwarded to your Excellencey I Draughted a number of men for the Batteaus from the Regiments here being well Convinced that the men appointed for that purpose would not in a year Carry forward...
98To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Remember to have Troubled yr Excy Last Summer with Solicitations in favor of Capt. Sullivan begging your Excys influence in his behalf with Congress —at white Marsh I was informed by General Knox & by the Commissary of prisoners that Capt. Bliss was paid off that if my Brother would Come to Camp there would be no Difficulty in his receiving his money—I wrote him & he has at a most amazing...
99To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest pain I inform you that after our retreat from Canada, to this place, of which I have given your Excellency, An Acct thro’ General Schuyler, & after I had Determin’d to make a Stand here, Till I receiv’d your Excellencys order, That I find myself under an Absolute Necessity of quiting this Island for a place more healthy. Otherwise the Army will never be able to return,...
100To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last I promisd your Excellency to particularize such commanding Officers and Corps as more particularly distinguished themselves in the Action of the 29th Instant. I with pleasure comply with that promise. The advancd Corps under the Command of Colonels Laurens Fleury & Major Talbot Colo. H: B. Levingstones light Troops consisting of Jackson’s Corps and a detachment from the whole...