To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 3 October 1778
From Major General John Sullivan
Providence October the 3d 1778
My Dear Genl
I can give you no Information from this Quarter Save that Amiral Biron in the Ninety Gun Ship Accompanied by the Seventy four Left Newport Sunday Last, they had Genl Pigot on Board. Lord Howe in a fifty Gun Ship came to Newport & on Monday Sailed for England1 Genl Pigot by Letter Informed me that his private affairs called him to Europe & that my Correspondence must be with General Prescott in Future.2 Desertions from the Enemy are very Frequent on the 30th ultimo a Searjent Corporal & Six privates Came out & They are Daily coming in Lesser Numbers. There Seems to be Every appearance of the Enemys Remaining here through the winter They have pulled Down a Number of Houses with which they are Building Barracks—on the north part of the Island I have the honor to Inclose your Excellencey a Gazette of this Day3 & have the Honor to be most Respectfully your Excellenceys obedt & very Humble Servt
Jno. Sullivan
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Vice Adm. John Byron sailed from Newport for New York on Monday, 28 Sept., in the 90-gun Princess Royal accompanied by the 74-gun Culloden and the 20-gun Gallatea (see , 2:399). Admiral Howe sailed from Newport for England on Saturday, 26 Sept., in the 64-gun Eagle (see , 2:398).
2. See Maj. Gen. Robert Pigot to Sullivan, 27 Sept., in , 2:368.
3. Sullivan apparently enclosed a copy of the Providence Gazette; and Country Journal of this date.