51From 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...
52From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 31st came to hand this morning. By my instructions which were transmitted yesterday you will observe that it is my wish for you to commence your operations the moment you have got yourself in readiness. We have no time to lose and I am happy to find every thing in so perfect a train. I am Dear sir &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . In...
53George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 31 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 31, 1779 . Sends instructions for Indian expedition. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
54From 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...
55From 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...
56George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1779 . Discusses problem of arms for expedition against Indians and for Army. Describes latest preparations for the expedition. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
57From 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...
58From 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...
59George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1779 . Agrees to send more troops to Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Promises to expedite supply of wagons. Warns against carrying too many supplies. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
60George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1779 . Describes steps taken to furnish Sullivan’s troops with shoes, overalls, and hunting shirts. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
61From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your letter of the 21st I wrote to the Board of War urging them immediate⟨ly⟩ to send forward the shoes which they had promised to collect for the supply of your troops amounting to about 4500 and 2000 ⅌ of Overalls. The former was to have been collected at Lancaster and is directed to be forwarded to Sunbury—the latter will go to Easton—I have requested them to send as many more...
62From 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...
63From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, [20 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favour of yesterday. As you will learn from Major Scot the precise route which the troops are marching, I must leave it with you to meet them with a good guide or two to give them whatever route you think proper. From the time the orders were given for their march, they must now be some distance on their way. I am Dr Sir Yr. most Obed serv ADfS , George Washington...
64From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant came to hand to-day. I have made such communication of its contents to the Quarter Master General as appeared necessary to releive our operations from their present embarrasments, and have recd this moment the answer which I inclose —In the return of the New-Hampshire regiment I observe over alls and shirts. These were ordered to be drawn at Peeks kill—and in...
65From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd—your favor of yesterdays date. I shall give the necessary orders for the troops to march —but in the mean time I would wish you to be perfectly satisfied that every thing in the quarter Masters & commissarys department is in such preparation as to keep equal pace with the troops—If you find that this is not the case you will give me the earliest notice. For if the troops...
66From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have scarce a moment to Acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 8th the person who bears this to you being in great haste. The orders given to Colo. Spencer respecting the incorporation of the regiments must be attended to —I had no doubt but that Cor⟨tlan⟩ds Regiment had joined you—he wrote me some days ago that he had begun or Was to begin his march that day —let your orders meet him...
67From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered a regiment from General Poors brigade to Easton, which I expect will march from Peekskill in two or three days. It is directed to proceed by New-Windsor, and from thence by the way of Mohocamac. I advise you of this, that you may meet it with such instructions at Mohoccamac or on the Road as relates to its route from that place, or whatsoever else you may judge proper on the...
68George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 4, 1779 . States that Sullivan will command the Indian expedition and sends instructions concerning the campaign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
69From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having appointed you to take the command of an expedition, which is to be carried on to the Westward against the Indians of the Six nations—You will be pleased forthwith to repair to Easton, in order to superintend, and forward the preparations, for that purpose. You will previously make every necessary arrangement with the Quarter Master and Commissary General relative to your supplies of...
70From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be so much engaged with the minister and Don Juan during their stay and other indispensible business that it will be next to impossible to attend steadily to the objects of the expedition which you are to command. But that no obstructions may be thrown in the way on this account, or the least suspension occasioned in our arrangements—you will inform me in the mean time should any new...
71From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 25 March 1779. Brig. Gen. John Glover wrote GW on 2 April : “Your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th to General Sullivan respecting the Arrangment of Col. Jackson’s Regt I received, with yours of the 25th inclosing a Resolve of Congress respecting the Artillery, & some of the Corps of Infantry.”
72From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favs. of the 3d and 9th instants. It gives me pleasure to hear that the mutiny of which General Varnum informed me some time ago was not so serious a matter as he seemed to apprehend and represented. I cannot see any reason for applying to me to order a Court of Enquiry into the Conduct of Colo. Jackson at Monmouth, when the power of appointing General Courts Martial is (by a...
73From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress having determined upon an Expedition of an extensive nature agt the hostile tribes of the Indians of the six Nations, the command is offered to Majr General Gates as senior Officer, but should he decline, it is my wish it should devolve upon you—That no time may be lost by General Gates’s non-acceptance, I have put this letter under cover to him, and have desired him to forward it to...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
While I was at Philada I recd a letter from you inclosing sundry papers taken in a prize, which I laid before Congress for their information. Your letter was mislaid by their Secretary, and I cannot therefore recollect whether there was any thing more in it than what respected the papers it inclosed. I have since been favd with yours of the 14th ulto: If Jacksons Band consists only of three...
77From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your two letters of the 2d and 7th Int. now before me. The order communicated by the adjutant General to Col. Jackson was in consequence of my instructions. It is not however my desire to remove the band in case it has been procured at the cost of the officers, and is kept up at their private expence. This is a prerogative I could not think of assuming. But on the other hand, if it...
78From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favs. of the 18th 19th and 20th Instants. I inclose you the Commissions for Colo. Henleys Regt which be pleased to deliver to Capt. Trescot the commanding Officer. I laid yours of the 20th before the Commissary General who in Vindication of his department wrote me a letter of the 25th and sent me a Copy of Mr Flints letter to you of the 30th October and Copy of Mr...
79From 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...
80From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favoured with your letter of the 4th instant. The officers of Colonel Henleys Regiment shall not have occasion to complain for their commissions, if you will only direct an accurate return of the names, rank, and dates of their appointments properly authenticated. When I receive this I shall order commissions to be made out, and take the first opportunity to transmit them. But you...
81From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd advice from Lord Stirling that a fleet of 108 sail left the Hook on the morning of the 3d. There were five or six two Deckers among them. I have not yet learned whether any more were preparing to follow, but as there are persons in New York and upon Staten Island, I expect to be speedily informed of any further movements of the Enemy. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt. P.S....
82From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 31st Ulto inclosing Major Talbots Account of the capture of the schooner Pigott. It was really a well concerted plan and gallantly executed. Be pleased to present my approbation and thanks to the Major—his Officers and Men. The enemy’s fleet consisting of 150 sail of transports lay at the Hook the 31st ulto. It is the general opinion that the evacuation of New York will...
83George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 29, 1778 . Reports that British troops that embarked did not sail. Encloses copy of a congressional resolve. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
84From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 26th with the inclosed paper of intelligence—Every thing that tends to show the state and expectations of the Garrison at Rhode Island is highly interesting at this eventful juncture. You will have found by my last, that the fleet which sailed from the Hook did not contain the embarkation as was supposed—These troops still lay in the bay by my last...
85From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the large fleet that sail’d on the 19th and 20th Inst. and the reasons we had to conclude that the regiments were on board, which we had repeatedly heard were embarked—I have just received advices throˆdifferent channels, and which cannot but be certain and authentic that there were none but invalids and the Officers of reduced Corps on board—and that the troops which had...
86George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 24, 1778 . Asks Sullivan to send news of arrival of British fleet to Major General Horatio Gates and to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
87From 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...
88From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of yesterday I gave you my latest information. I have now to advise you that the fleet left Sandy Hook the 19th and 20th Inst. The first division consisted of above 120 vessels, of which 15 were of the line, and 10 or 12 frigates. The second division about 30 sail of which two were of 50 guns and two frigates. They all stood Eastward—Whether the remaining ships and troops are to...
89From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 18th Inst. On the 20th I transmitted You, all the intelligence I then had, respecting the movements of the Enemy in New York. I now send you by this conveyance, extracts of two Letters from My Lord Stirling and General Scot, which contain my latest information upon the subject. I have the pleasure to inform you that the taking of Dominica by the french...
90From 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...
91From George Washington to Major Generals William Heath and John Sullivan, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd intelligence, bearing strong marks of authenticity, that the enemy mean a total evacuation of New York. Various are the conjectures of their destination. I cannot think that they mean to attempt any thing against Boston considering the danger of carrying a heavy Fleet round Cape Cod at this advanced season; but to be prepared at all events, I had, upon the first intimation of...
92From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 6th and 11th instants. The enemy have withdrawn themselves from Jersey and are now employed in making a very considerable embarkation. It is said to consist of ten British Regiments compleated to their full complement by the incorporation of the Regts they will have their Grenadier and Light Companies added to them and will therefore amount to between five and six...
93From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd advice that on the evening of the 9th about forty sail of Vessels were seen off Stamford standing to the Eastward. The weather was then, and has been since, so thick, that it could not be discovered whether they had troops on Board or how many of them were ships of War. It is more than probable that they are intended for Newport. You will therefore endeavour if they put in...
94George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Discusses procuring clothing for Sullivan’s men. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
95From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 3d Inst. with its inclosure. In a letter from Gen. Gates of yesterdays date he has the following paragraph. “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare, that the British fleet of men of war, sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” There is some shew of a...
96From 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...
97From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 29th at this place, to which I have removed for the convenience of gaining intelligence of the Motions of the Enemy who are out in considerable force on this side of Kingsbridge, and in Bergen County in Jersey. They seem to be foraging, in which they are busily employed. A few nights ago the party in Jersey made an unlucky stroke at Colo. Baylors Regt of Horse laying at...
98From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 22d 23d and 24th instants. I cannot conceive what transports those can be that have come into Newport Harbour, except they are those from Hallifax. None have lately gone from New york—It will be very material to know with certainty from whence they came and whether they had any troops on board. If they are those from Hallifax, and empty, it gives weight to an...
99From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 21st Inst. containing the account of Admiral Byrons arrival at New-port in a ninety gun ship, accompanied by a seventy four. I have nothing of a particular nature for your consideration—and am D. Sir your most obt servt p.s. Since writing the above there is accounts from deserters of two brigades being under imbarking orders for the West Indies, and...
100From 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,...