From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1779
To Major General John Sullivan
West-point Octr 5th 79
Dear Sir
The 3d Instt I wrote to you, & for fear of accidents inclose a copy of the letter as your forming a junction with this Army as speedily as possible may be of the utmost importance.1
I have not received a line from you since the 30th of Augt which I can no otherwise acct for than by a miscarriage of letters—I am altogether unacquainted with your movements since the battle at Newtown & have only common report for your having advanced to Conosadaga, & returning to Teoga.2
The French fleet have not yet appeared upon this coast but I expect every moment to hear of it off Sandy hook.3 I am with great regard Yr Most Obed. Ser.4
ADf, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed duplicate has not been found.
2. GW is referring to Canadasaga, N.Y. and Tioga, Pennsylvania. Sullivan had written to GW on 28 Sept.; GW acknowledged receipt of that letter in his letter to Sullivan of 8 October.
3. For GW’s plans and preparations for combined operations with the French fleet, see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 October.
4. GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote the closing.