From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 June 1777
To Major General John Sullivan
Head Quarters Middle Brook 23d June 1777.
Dear Sir
I have yours of this Morning with one from Genl Maxwell to Genl Green inclosed.1 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 Ammunition would suffer much. But you must judge from Circumstances, and act accordingly. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NhHi: Sullivan Papers; Df, DLC:GW.
1. Upon receipt of Sullivan’s letter to GW of this date, which has not been found, GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade wrote the following reply: “Your note arrived safe; and I am to inform you that his Excellency did not intend the troops should march in the rain, and was pleased you stopped them. Those here had similar orders. You are requested to have those under you in readiness to march as soon as the weather will permit, and in the mean time keep out small parties of observation, and fall on every other method of obtaining the best intelligence of the Enemy’s situation both at Amboy and the Island. His Excellency desires you will keep up a constant correspondence with my Lord Stirling. . . . P.S. As soon as you are in marching order, his Excellency desires to be informed, as you are not to move till you hear from him” (DLC: Peter Force Collection).