21From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning. As Genl Greene is gone down, with an intention to collect his Division and I dont know what advances he may have made in it, I could not with propriety agree to the change you mention without his approbation; I have wrote to him signifying my assent and desiring him to give you his sentiments upon the occasion. If I have made a mistake in...
22George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 29, 1777. Orders Sullivan to send intelligence concerning the enemy as rapidly as possible. Repeats orders for rerouting men and wagons. States that John Parke Custis is not to come by the usual road. LS , in writing of H, postscript in the writing of George Washington, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress. Custis was Martha Washington’s son by her...
23From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 29 May 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on this date : “I wrote to you this morning.”
24From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of this date. It is of the greatest moment that the motions of the enemy on the quarter you mention, should be narrowly watched; and every step they take known by me as early as possible. I am strongly apprehensive they will shortly push for Philadelphia by water, and the counteracting their scheme will intirely depend upon my having instant intelligence of every thing...
25From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your representation I yesterday detatched Lt Colo. Barber with 150 Men and some Horse to Sommerset Court House. I wish you would use your endeavours to encourage the Militia between Brunswic and the Delaware to be ready to assemble and give their Assistance provided the Enemy attempt to march thro’ the Country, which they intend to do from all our late Accounts. The inclosed...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 5th: I agree with you that Colo. Blands Men being natives are more to be depended upon than Colo. Moylans, but the Virginia Regiment of Horse has been so detatched the whole Winter, that I could not deny Colo. Bland his request to draw them together that they may be properly equipped, which they have never yet been. In point of opportunities of deserting there is full as...
29From 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...
30From 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...
31From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday evening was delivered to me early this Morning. Every account confirms the certainty of the Enemy’s intention to move by land, and I think it will from appearances take place in a very short time. Govr Livingston, in a letter of the 9th instant, informs me that he had ordered the Militia of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland to assemble at Mount Holly and that Colo. Bowes Reed...
32From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am uneasy at hearing nothing from you. The Enemy have advanced a party, said to be two thousand, as far as Van Ests Mill upon Millstone River. They have been skirmishing with Colo. Morgans Rifle Men, but have halted on a peice of high Ground. Some Accounts say that their main Body has marched by the Brunswic Road towards princetown but by neither seeing your Signals nor hearing from you I am...
33From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this morning. Upon considering your Situation, the General Officers are of opinion, that while you remain upon their left Flank of the Enemy it is always in their Power by pushing briskly towards the Delaware to cut you off from joining this Army or perhaps of crossing the River. But if you cross their Front and get upon their right Flank you can always form a junction...
34From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of this day, by the last of which I find that you had arrived at Fleming town, and am happy to hear that the Militia join you in such Numbers, and are in so good Spirits. I would have you leave your Artillery and Baggage upon some secure and strong Ground under a proper Guard, and move with the remainder of your force to some place between Verbrykes Mill on Neshanack and...
35From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of this Morning. The Enemy last night sent off all their spare Baggage and Women to Brunswic, and the deserters say are preparing for some move, none more probable than an attempt upon this post. Considering the extent of the Ground we have to defend, we want force to make a proper resistance. You will therefore immediately upon the Rect of this detatch one thousand...
36From 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.”
37From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 21 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
From every information lately received, there is reason to believe the Enemy are evacuating Brunswick by sending One Brigade after Another. It is said they are transporting their baggage both by Land & Water to Amboy with the greatest Industry. If this fact be true, I should suppose it highly expedient that you should detach a Number of Militia well acquainted with the Country South of Amboy,...
38From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of this Morning with one from Genl Maxwell to Genl Green inclosed. 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...
39From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon your arrival at Pompton you are to halt your division till the intentions of the Enemy are more clearly and fully known. To come at a knowledge of this, you must endeavour, by all the means in your power, to obtain intelligence from the side of the North River, up which, I have every Reason to think they intend to move, as most of their shipping have removed from Staten Island up to New...
40From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 6 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you some of the Officers have been Suggesting a Plan for cutting off the Enemy’s Post at Bergen, which they seem to think could be easily effected—As it may be in your power to collect certain information of the strength &Ca of that Guard which I understand consists of new Levies I would refer the matter intirely to your consideration & Discretion, wishing...
41From 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...
42From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 5th and 6th I am sorry that any misunderstanding between you and Doctor Cochran should have gone to such disagreeable lengths. When your first letter of complaint was put into my hands, Doctr Shippen the director General was standing by me, I delivered it immediately to him as it belonged to his department and never heard more of the matter till I received your last. As I...
43From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 8 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of advices this day recd from Albany, tho’ not directly from Genl Schuyler, I find the Enemy had approached Ticonderoga and had taken post at Mount Hope. This Account comes by express from Colo. Trumbulls Brother and therefore cannot be doubted. I expect every Moment to have the particulars from Genl. Schuyler. If the North River is Genl Howes next attempt he will be sudden and...
44From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 9 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon reconsidering the propriety of your crossing the River immediately, it has been determined by a great majority of the General Officers, that as the Enemy have not yet embarked any of their Light Troops and do not seem prepared to move suddenly, you should halt in the Clove, take possession of the most advantagious Grounds and there wait till we see, more clearly the Enemy’s intentions. If...
45From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The army marched yesterday from Morris Town to this place, about eighteen miles from thence, and will proceed towards Peeks-Kill as soon as the weather permits—You will also, at the same time, march through the Clove and cross the River at the most convenient and safe place; for which purpose I would recommend it to you to consult with General Clinton. Our heavy baggage is advancing to fall...
46From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I imagine you have, in consequence of former orders, crossed the North River; but if it should not be totally effected when this reaches you, I beg it may be done as soon as possible, for from some advices in the Course of this day, it seems as if the Enemy were moving their Shipping from the watering place up towards New York, some have already gone up as far as Dob’s Ferry. From my present...
47From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The greatest part of the Fleet have fallen down from the Narrows, but we have not been able to discover whether they have gone out to Sea. As your remaining upon the East Side of the River will depend upon the Course the Fleet steers should they go out, you will hold your division ready to move at a Moments warning. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, NhHi :...
48From 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....
49From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is with no small concern, I am constrained to inform you, that I am constantly receiving Complaints from the People living contiguous to the Road of great abuses committed by the Division under your Command in their march through the Country. From their accounts, they have experienced the most wanton and insufferable injuries—Fences destroyed without the least apparent necessity, and a...
50From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding it will be a Week tomorrow since the Fleet left the Hook, none of the Ships had, by the latest accounts, made their appearance in Delaware Bay; About Seventy Sail were seen a few days ago, off little Egg Harbour. This delay makes me suspicious that their real intentions are yet a secret to us, and therefore that we may not draw too much of our Force Southward, I desire that you...