1From John Adams to John Sullivan, 3 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I regret with you the Loss of Coll Stark, of whose Experience and Bravery, I have often heard the best Accounts. I know not the Man: but Some Gentlemen represented him, as unequal in Abilities to the high Command of a General Officer. I am extreamly sorry to learn that you have been so great a Sufferer in the Loss of your Baggage &c. upon several Occasions: But in answer to your first Question...
2From John Adams to John Sullivan, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Favour of May the fourth has lain by me unanswered, till now. The Relation of your Negotiations at New York, in order to convince the People of the Utility and necessity of instituting a new Government, is very entertaining, and if you had remained there a few Weeks longer, I conjecture you would have effected a Change in the Politicks of that Region. Is it Deceit, or Simple...
3From John Adams to John Sullivan, 22 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Evening the Pleasure of your Favour of the fourteenth instant, and a great Pleasure it was, as it was an Evidence that my old Friends were beginning to recollect me. I have been So long absent that I Seemed to have lost all my Correspondents in the Army. It would be, at all Times an obligation upon me, to hear of the Motions of the Armies, and of our prosperous or adverse Situation,...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to General Putnam with all expedition, as it is of importance they should not be delayed. By His Excellency’s desire, I wrote to you a day or two ago, requesting that a Capt McConnel & a waggon master who had taken a horse from some inhabitants abused and confined them, should be sent to Head Quarters to have an examination in to their conduct. I am...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received your favour of this Day. In answer to it he commands me to inform you that though he is exceedingly happy to hear such an animation prevails among the inhabitants, yet he can by no means, consent to put arms in their hands. This article is too much wanted for the Continental army to be spared to the militia; and experience has taught us, that there has been infinite...
6From 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...
7Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens to Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We have just received your favour of Yesterday, desiring from us a Testimony of your Conduct, so far as it fell under our Observation, the day of the Battle on the Brandywine. As we had not the pleasure of seeing you in the fore part of that Action when the Line at large was Engaged, We are unable from our own Knowledge, to say any thing of your Conduct at that time. But we can chearfully...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, [12–25 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received your two last favours to day. In the first you hint the want of a reinforcement; but as the intention of your body is chiefly for observation and skirmishing and not to make any serious stand, it is the less necessary it should be powerful in numbers. It will however depend upon circumstances, how far it will be expedient to reinforce you; and as soon as any thing...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 13 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having received Intelligence of the unfortunate death of Genl Thomas, occasioned by the smallpox he had taken, the command of the Army in Canada devolves on you—I am therefore to request your most strenuous exertions to retreive our circumstances in that Quarter from the melancholy situation they are now in and for performing the arduous Task, of bringing order out of confusion. I confess...
13George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 27, 1777. Discusses failure of Staten Island expedition. Advises Sullivan to spare health of men on march to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14George 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
15From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received Major Morris’s letter covering the proceedings of a General Court Martial which I approve off and direct that one of the Criminals the greatest Offender may be executed pursuant thereto. This should be done in the most public manner your Situation will admit as it may serve to convince the rest of the Division that Crimes of this dye will meet the most rigorous punishment....
16From George Washington to Major Generals Benjamin Lincoln and John Sullivan and Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 22 … (Washington Papers)
An Inconvenience of considerable Magnitude arising from the Practice of carrying Household furniture &C. in Waggons & Carts to the Enemy has determined me to direct that in future nothing shall be transported that way—I do not mean to prevent such of the Inhabitants as choose to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines from taking with them all their Apparel & Household furniture as usual if they can...
17From 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...
18From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was made very happy to find, by yours of the 20th ulto that your junction with General Clinton would take place on the next day, and that no opposition had been given to him on the passage down the River. Colonel Pawling, not having been able to reach Anaquaga at the appointed time, and upon his arrival there, finding that General Clinton had passed by, has returned to the Settlements with...
19From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favor of the 11th Inst. Repeated accounts from different quarters, announce some great and general movement on the part of the enemy—And tho’ the facts with which I have been hitherto furnished are not sufficiently pointed to determine clearly whether the result may be an attack on this army, an enterprise against the french Squadron—or finally a simple evacuation of N....
20From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 15 Inst. last night and another of the 14 the day before. By a resolve of Congress lately passed all horses killed in action are to be paid for by the Quarter Master General on the oath of the party, a sum not exceeding 500 Dollars. We have pretty authentic intelligence of Lord Howes return with his squadron to New york—and a large fleet of transports...
21From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Morning recd yours of the 12th at the same time one from Genl Borre, by which I find Major Mullen’s Behaviour has been so exceptionable that no concessions can make any amends. I am therefore obliged to confirm the Sentence of the Court Martial. Upon a supposition that the Enemy had gone to the Eastward, I was upon my march further Northward, but an Express overtook me at this place,...
22From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving a few days since by Capt. Bruin your letter of the 1st instant. I assure you, my Dear Sir, I am sensibly touched by so striking an instance of your friendship, at a time and in a manner, that demonstrates its sincerity and confirms the opinion I have always entertained of your sentiments towards me. I wish you to believe, that your uneasiness on the score you...
23George 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.
24From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 22d. The enemy having evacuated both their posts at Kings ferry you will on receipt of this proced with your troops to Sufferans at the entrance of the Clove. Should you not have advanced far on your march to Warwick, Hacketstown—Mount-pleasant—Mount-Hope and Pompton would appear the most eligible route to this place. But that I may know this...
25From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last to you of the 20th Inst. in answer to yours of the 1st I inclosed my directions to Gen. Stark for his joining your command, not knowing at that time the sentiments of Congress on this head. But since that I have received their resolve of the 20th Inst. by which I find General Stark is ordered to the Northern department. I have inclosed him a letter signifying this which you will be...
26From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 June 1777. In his letter to GW of 19 June , Sullivan says that “I am honoured with your Excys favor of this Day.”
27Instructions 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...
28From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of yesterday with Colonel Formans letter inclosed. If the Ships that went out are intended for Delaware Bay, the Troops at Brunswic and Amboy will either follow immediately by Sea or wait till they hear of their arrival in the Bay and then make a sudden march to meet them. The Flag upon the Tree was seen yesterday, but if you will hoist it about half way up the Body, it will be...
29From 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...
30From 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...