George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Sullivan, John" AND Recipient="Washington, George" AND Period="Revolutionary War"
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Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-04-02-0239

To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 14 May 1776

From Brigadier General John Sullivan

Albany may 14th 1776

Dear General

I This moment received from Genl Schuyler the Inclosed malencholy Account from Canada1 in Consequence of which I am ordered to tarry with my Brigade till the provisions are Sent over—So that my Departure from this place which was to take place tomorrow will not happen all the Brigade except Daytons & Waines are gone on Dayton was to have marchd tomorrow morng & Waine with his part of a Regt on the Next Day—I am anxious to go forward but cannot go beyond my orders nor Dare I attempt to Return to york I must Content myself to remain in the Center of Security till our provisions are passd over the Lake when perhaps it2 will be too Late to assist our Distressd friends in Canada—I shall do Every thing in my power to assist in forwarding the provisions & Shall follow them as Soon as possible I Inclose your Exy a Copy of Genl Schuylers Letter to me which must be my Directions till I have Some Directions from Your Excellency3 in the interim I am with much Esteem Your Excellencys most obedt Servt

Jno. Sullivan

ALS, DLC:GW.

1Sullivan apparently forwarded Schuyler’s letter to GW of 13 May concerning the retreat of the American army from Quebec (see Schuyler to Sullivan, 13 May 1776, DLC:GW).

2Sullivan inadvertently wrote “at” in the manuscript.

3In his letter to Sullivan of 13 May from Fort George, Schuyler wrote: “I have Order’d Your Brigade to Halt, as you will See by the Orders which Capt. [John] Wendell Carries. I wish you to March Such of your Brigade as may Still be at Albany (Except about 200 men) to any Convenient place a few Miles on this Side, where they may Supply themselves with Fuel, to Save the Immoderate Expence their Stay at Albany will Occasion. Pray Visit the Corps that are gone on and give all the Assistance Possible to forward the provisions. . . . [P.S.] As many of the Entrenching Tools are at Half moon or Still Water I wish the Troops that have Left Albany could be Employ’d in Repairing the Roads” (DLC:GW).

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