To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 6 November 1779
From Major General John Sullivan
Sovereigns [Suffern’s] Taveron [N.Y.]
Novr 6th 1779
Dear General
I am now movving to Pompton agreable to your Excys orders of yesterday.1 I find that the whole of the Rhode Island Army is Encamped on Staten Island in Addition to the Troops before Stationed there2 That they are making preparations for an Excursion Somewhere & it is Generally Conjectured That they Intend a Descent upon the Jersy Shore—This Conjecture Seems to be Strengthened by the Light Horse being Sent on to the Island & the preparations they are making in the Boat way—If the Forage is their object will our Troops at Pompton be within Sufficient Distance to give a Timely opposition—& may not the magazine at Pluckaman be an object for them.3 I See the Disadvantage which may arise from this Division of the Army being Sent at too great a Distance from the others & beg pardon for the above hints which are only Intended to Express my wishes to be in Such a Situation as may Enable me Effectually to answer your Excellenceys wishes The place which will best answer this purpose your Excy can best Determine. I have the honor to be with the most perfect Respect Dear General your Excys most obedt Servt
Jno. Sullivan
P:S. I have not a Horseman or any thing in place of one for Expresses or any other purpose.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Sullivan is referring to GW’s letter to him of this date.
2. For the British evacuation of Rhode Island on 25 Oct., see GW to Duportail and Alexander Hamilton, 30 Oct., and notes 1 and 2 to that document. Rather than being concentrated on Staten Island, the bulk of the evacuated troops were quartered in New York City or on Long Island (see 39–40; 113–14; and 317–20). Only “the Regiment of Buriau [Bünau]” was posted on Staten Island (entry for 31 Oct. 1779, 443).
3. For the powder magazine at Pluckemin, N.J., see the first letter from the Board of War to GW, 3 Sept., n.5.
GW was doubting the prospect of a British incursion into New Jersey when he wrote Sullivan on 13 November.