1To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 2 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have Examined into the State of The Ammunition in my Department & find Remaining in the Magazine of the Powder Supplied from New Hampshire 19 Barrels of 100 wt Each, Scarcely any Balls & no flints Except what the Soldiers are possessd of: They are in General well Provided with amunition for one Ingagement we have 50 Rounds of Cartridges to Each Cannon That is mounted which is all the...
2To George Washington from John Sullivan, 3 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Sullivan, 3 Sept. 1775. On 4 Sept. GW wrote to Sullivan : “I receivd your Letter of yesterday.”
3From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 4 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Letter of yesterday respecting Lieutt Sanborn, as also his application for a discharge—As it is not my wish to strain the Law to its full extent, but to exercise it in such a manner as to prevent irregularities, & for the support of due subordination, without which no army can long exist; & as Lieutt Sanborn stands fair in the opinion & esteem of both Officers and Soldiers, and...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 14 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have Reviewed the Palefaced Corps in my Brigade & find The Persons named in the Inclosed List Totally unfit for Duty at present have been So for a Long time & are Likely to Remain So During this Campaign Except Those to whose names I had added a Quere whose Disorders may possibly be Removed before the End of this Campaign with respect to those your Excellencey will act as your wisdom Shall...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 29 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here in about twenty four hours after I Left you have Collected Powder So as to make up near thirty Barrels & have Since been preparing to Set an Example to the other Seaports by Setting the Fleet at Defiance upon my arrival I was Surprized to find that the Boom So much Talked of was not prepared That the Bridge Intended for Crossing from the main to the Island whereon Stands the...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 29 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Winter Hill , 29 November 1775 . Recommends discharge for Ens. Zebulon Drew, who “has been for a Long Time Troubled with a painful Disorder which not only prevents him from Doing Duty at present but renders it impossible for him to do any further Service during the Campaign & very Improbable whether he will Ever be able to Serve in the field in future.” ALS , DLC:GW . Zebulon Drew, an ensign...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Intention of yesterday’s order, respecting the Review of the Connecticut Troops, is only to afford a good oppertunity of making choice of such of their Arms as shall be found fit for the use of the New Army. I am not without my fear that if they are appriz’d of the Intention, some of the best Arms will be Secreted; for this reason I desire you will say nothing of the matter till the...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
agreeable to your order have again waited on Major Rogers and Strictly Examined him have Seen his Several permits and think them Genuine & in Every Respect agreeable to the Copy Sent you —he Says he Left New york about the 10th of October and being ill with the Fever & ague was 10 Days in getting to Abany That There & at a place Called Stone Rabba—he Tarried 10 Days More: he then passed...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 10 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In looking over the list of Officers in your Brigade, I find the whole compleated, except in one Instance, without paying the least regard to the order wch directed, that no Person should be Inserted that was not in the first arrangement, otherwise than by recommendation. I also find, in the Regimental returns of our Strength, in your Brigade, several matters that need explanation—to wit—a...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I agree to Adjutant Peabody’s discharge; & Colo. Otis’s Son taking his place —I do not know of any objection to the last arrangement given in by you, & shall, when my present hurry of business is a little over Issue the Commissions—My Order extended to all persons whatsoever, but from the Nature of the Office of Clerk of the Market, as you describe it, he must come in under⟨r⟩ the...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 January 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 Jan. 1776. On 23 Jan. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Sullivan: “I have it in command from his Excellency to inform you, that General Gates handed him your letter of the 22 inst.” ( DLC : Peter Force Collection). For the full text of Harrison’s letter to Sullivan of 23 Jan., see GW to Sullivan, 28 Jan. 1776 , source note.
12From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 28 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I quite forgot to enquire last night (when you were shewing me the Militia Pay Rolls) at what rates the Officers pay was charged—I am willing to allow them the same pay as the Troops here had, and have—that is, to the first of Jany agreeable to the old Establishment—(more I cannot)—& For the Month of Jany according to the present pay. this is putting of them in all respects upon a footing with...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 9 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 9 Feb. 1776. On this date Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Sullivan: “I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of this Evening, and to Inform you, that he would not wish an Attempt to be made to bring off the Guard which you mention, ’till he has seen you, for particular reasons which he will then...
14From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am a little surprizd, and concern’d to hear of your moving to Colo. Royals House —I thought you knew, that I had made a point of bringing Genel Lee from thence on Acct of the distance from his Line of Command—at least that he should not Sleep there—The same reasons holding good with respect to yourself, I should be glad if you could get some place nearer, as I think it too hazardous to trust...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 1 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
[1 March 1776] . “As General Officer of the Day Yesterday, I Visited the Guards in all Advanced Posts Between Cambridge and Mystick Rivers, and the Main Guards at Cambridge, Prospect & Winter Hill. I found the Guards Vigilant & the Sentries Alert.” ADS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls. Sullivan, who was brigadier of the day for 29 Feb., apparently wrote this undated report on 1 March....
16To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 4 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
4 March 1776 . “As General officer of the Day Yesterday I visited all The Guards herein after mentioned. . . . I also ordered the field officers of the Day to go the Rounds by Night which they Did & found the Guards vigilent & Sentries alert.” ADS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls. Sullivan included in his report a return of the guards at Winter Hill, Plowed Hill, the White House,...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 7 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
7 March 1776. “As Brigadier General of the Day yesterday I visited The Several Guards hereafter mentioned & found the Guards vigilent & Sentrys Alert Except at the South & north Redoubt in both of which I found all the Guards within the Guard Houses and the Sentrys Taking no Notice of my Coming or Even of any thing Else[.] The South Redoubt was Commanded by Ensign Brown & the North by Lieut....
18To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 10 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Winter Hill, 10 March 1776 . “As Brigadier Genl of the Day Yesterday Orderd the Guards to be visited; found them alert as usual. ADS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls. Sullivan included in his report a return of the guards with “Occurrences” at several of the posts. At 10:00 a.m. on 9 Mar., he reported that he “went Down the River in a Boat by Bunkers Hill[.] no Large cannon there & but...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 22 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
being Desired by Capt. Miller Late of Colo. Doolittles Regt to Certify in his favour to Your Excellency I can only Say that he Acted as Capt. in That Regiment till the 26 of Novr then by vote of the Regt (as I was Informed) he Acted as major—I Never knew or heard he had a Commission for that purpose till he Informed me of it yesterday I well remember he gave in his name among the Captains To...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
inclosd you have Copy of a Letter I recd from Governor Cooke to the Contents of which I reffer you; General Green will march with his Brigade this day for Providence; & if I find that the Enemy are at Rhode Island I will Soon join him—Governor Cooke will forward this to you, & will inform you whether this alarm is well founded or not; if it is, you must repair to Providence with the troops...
21To George Washington from Brigadier Generals John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and Lord Stirling, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the orders given us we have met & deliberated upon the several matters referred to us by your Excellency & beg leave to report, That the following signals be given upon the approach of any number of Ships toward this Port Viz. Upon the appearance of any number of Ships by day from one to six a large flag is to be hoisted on the Highlands of Never sink, upon the appearance of...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
after a Voyage of four Days I arrived at this place where I found Stark & Reeds Regiments who had by order of General Schuyler been Detained here for Boats none of which were then in Readiness for the Troops—General Schuyler arrived here on the Evening of the Eighth Instant I waited on him Immediately he Informed that the Coming of So many Troops was So unexpected that he had not Batteaus to...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 14 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I This moment received from Genl Schuyler the Inclosed malencholy Account from Canada 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...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Returned from Still water where I have been To give Some Dire[c]tions about Conveying the provisions forward to our Troops in Canada immediately upon the Receipt of The Letters which I forwarded to your Excellencey I Draughted a number of men for the Batteaus from the Regiments here being well Convinced that the men appointed for that purpose would not in a year Carry forward...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14 Instant I received this morning and am exceedingly sorry for the sad reverse of fortune in our Affairs in Canada—they are rather alarming, But I still hope our vigorous exertions will be attended with success, Notwithstanding the present unpromising appearances, & that we shall yet acquire & maintain possession of that Country, so important to us in the present contest. I...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 18 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Cannot but Esteem it my Duty to Inform your Excellency of the Horrid abuse to the publick, by Keeping up the Two Regiments of Vanscoit & Winckoop. Those Regiments are said to be in this Quarter, but upon the strictest Enquiry, can be found no where. Colo. Vanscoit is here himself but has never furnished a man for guard or any Other Duty Since my Arrival. I have been applied to by Lt Colo....
27To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had wrote a Letter to Congress & Expected to have the honour of writing one to you befor the Commissioners Departed but as I found them going off before I could possibly finish one to you I Sealed that & begd Mr Chase to Desire yr Excellency to open & read it which Contained the purport of what I Intended to write yr Excellencey —I have Since that been to Montreal & find almost Every person...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 5–6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform you that I Arriv’d here at a very Critical Moment with my Brigade. Genl Thompson was Left with but very few men to Defend this Important post. The Troops being Scatter’d about in a most Shocking manner. I had Issued Orders for all the well men to follow me as upon Departure of Genl Worster & the Death of General Thomas the Command Devolved on me: having given...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 7 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
after having as I think given you a Just Representation of our affairs in Canada which I Dare Say Every person here will witness to I must beg you to Excuse my giving you the Trouble of one Petition which is That if it be possible for your Excellencey or General Lee to come here that it might be done. Though I Suppose General Lee cannot be Spared where he is I am well perswaded that Canada...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 8–12 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
At three Quarters after 11 of Clock forenoon I received a Letter from Genl Thompson of Which the Inclosed is a Copy. I find that he has proceeded in the Manner proposed & made his Attack on the Troops at three Rivers at Day light for at that time a very heavy Cannonading began which lasted with Some Intervals to Twelve of Clock. it is now near one P.M. the firing has Ceased, Except Some...
31From 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...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 5th & 6th Instt by Express yesterday evening from Genl Schuyler, and am exceedingly happy on account of the agreable and Interesting Intelligence It contains. Before It came to hand, I almost dreaded to hear from Canada, as my advices seemed to promise nothing favourable, but rather our farther misfortunes—But I am now hopefull that our Affairs from the...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest pain I inform you that after our retreat from Canada, to this place, of which I have given your Excellency, An Acct thro’ General Schuyler, & after I had Determin’d to make a Stand here, Till I receiv’d your Excellencys order, That I find myself under an Absolute Necessity of quiting this Island for a place more healthy. Otherwise the Army will never be able to return,...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This morning at Day break I rece’d your Excellencys favour of the 16 Instant—am Extremely mortified to find that Every thing here has Turned out Contrary to my Expectations & your Excellencys wishes This was not owing to my being Deceived with Respect to the Enemy on the ground at the time I wrote but to the Sudden arrival of Such a number under General Burgoyne the night before the battle of...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have from time to time Endeavoured to give your Excellencey the Earliest Intelligence of our movements in this Quarter but the Distance is So great that we are under necessity of making many without having your Excellencys advice; in my Last I mentioned that I Should remain with the Army at Isle au Noix till your Excellen[c]ey’s pleasure Could be known. This I Supposed would Serve to Cover &...
36To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Afternoon the Enemy formed & attempted to pass the Road by Bedford a smart fire between them and the Rifle Men ensued, the Officer sent off for a Reinforcement which I ordered down Immediately, a number of Musketry came up to the Assistance of the Rifle Men whose fire with that of our field peices caused a Retreat of the Enemy our Men followed them to the House of Judge Lefferds, where a...
37To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the most pungent pain to inform your Excellency of the sad Stroke America must feel in the loss of General Lee, who was this morning taken by the Enemy near Veal Town. He ordered me yesterday morning to march for this place early, which I did—and by some fatality he was induced to go to Barnell’s Town, nearer the Enemy by three Miles than we were. Some Tories doubtless gave...
38From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
About One OClock to day, I received your Letter of the 13th and sincerely regret with you, the unhappy fate of Genl Lee. I know his feelings upon the occasion, and I know the loss our Country must sustain in his Captivity. The Event has happened & I refer you to the several Letters which I had wrote him, & to one which now goes to Lord Stirling, & to my Lord himself who, I presume, is with you...
39To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 27 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 27 Jan. 1777. On 28 Jan. GW’s aide-de-camp John Fitzgerald wrote Sullivan: “Your favour of yesterday came to hand about 12 last night” ( DLC:GW ).
40From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Information which gave rise to your Remove to the Scotch plains seems to have been void of foundation, and as no great good can result from yr laying in an exposed situation, but much Evil flow from a Surprize (which by the bye I hope never will happen) I can not help expressing my doubts of the propriety of yr removing where the Troops now are (if at the Scotch plains)—Our Affairs at...
41To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 Jan. 1777. GW’s second letter to Sullivan of 28 Jan. says that “the Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening.”
42From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening. Ignorant as I am of the ground which you occupy at the Scotch plains, I can not possitively determine whether it is tenable or not. However let me recommend to you to consider maturely whether the Advantages that may accrue from yr neighbourhood to the Enemy, can balance the Consequences that must result from yr being driven from it. ’Tis true yr...
43From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering the best Mode of distressing the Enemy and rendering their situation still more disagreeable, as well as retarding their early Operations in the Field; I have determined to remove out of their reach all the Horses Waggons & fat Cattle, for which purpose I have appointed Thursday Morning next early for you, Genls Putnam, Warner, & Dickinson to do it. In the mean time you will,...
44To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Disorder has not abated but has Really weakened me So much that I am totally unable to wait on yr Excy to Day—with Respect to the Small pox my opinion is that the only way to get Rid of it is Immediately to Send all Infected persons to Some Back Town where an hospital Should be Erected; to this place Should Every person be Sent if the Symptoms of the Disorder appears on him. at this place...
45To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 Feb. 1777. On 12 Feb. GW sent Sullivan an “Answer to your favour of Yesterday.”
46To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recollect once to have Read That on the Fatal Ides of March, when Cesar was going to the Capitol Artemidorus presented him with a paper Containing Those words “Cesar Beware of Brutus Take Heed of Cassius come not Near Casca have an Eye to Cinna; Trust not Trebonius; Brutus Loves thee not These men have all but one mind and That is bent agt Cesar if Thou art not Immortal Look about Thee:...
47To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am Informed by Letter from the president of the Councill of New Hampshire Informing That that State Sensible of Colo. Scammells merit appointed him Colo. of one of their Regiments though he was from another State —I conclude therefore that as This appointment was Accepted by him before yo⟨ur⟩ Excys orders could have Reached him & as the (Infamous New England) Bounty will be an Inducement to...
48From 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...
49To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have called on General McDougle & Informed him Confidentially of the State of Our Army he Says there is about 600 Continental Troops here with two Massa. Militia Regts he is of opinion that The Continental Troops here Should be Sent forward & that the State Should Garrison this post; for which purpose he will call on Mr Jay, and consult with him upon the most Effectual Measures to bring it...
50George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 15, 1777. Exhorts Sullivan not to imagine slights. Discusses separate commands. States that the only separate command is that of the Northern Department. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.