ordered to leave it, I shall strengthen the enemy, by preparing a work for them, which I would not willingly do. If I am to tarry and fortify here, I should be glad to know it as soon as possible, that I may put the order in execution; but I must say that unless our men grow much more healthy, our Army here will be no kind of check upon the enemy after remaining in this low marsh for a few weeks longer.

I enclose your Excellency a general return, drawn from the returns made the day before yesterday; since which I suppose a quarter part have been taken down with the camp disorder. This, however incredible it may seem, is a real fact. For instance, Colonel Wayne has sixty, out of one hundred and thirty-eight, taken down since. Colonel De Haas and all his field-officers, with a number of his men, are since taken down. This seems to run through the whole, no corps being exempt from it. I am shocked to relate, but much more to see, this dreadful havock among the troops.

I enclose your Excellency a return of the ordnance and Stores at St. Johns on the 12th instant. The whole could not, in our confused state, be procured. As to the provisions, some are on board the armed vessels, some at this place, and some at Isle-la-Motte, which were never brought further down. I can make no accurate return at present. I will have one made as soon as possible and forward it, and send regular returns in future. I do not despair of getting this Army yet into some kind of order and regulation; but I must confess that it is a work of time and trouble, as order and regularity seem to have been strangers in this northern Army.

I received your Excellency’s favour of the 13th instant. Am extremely sorry it was not in my power to fulfil your Excellency’s wishes, by leading on our troops to victory. The reasons for my not being able has doubtless long since reached you, in my letters giving an account of the strength of the enemy, the weakness of our Army, and the unhappy defeat of General Thompson at Three Rivers, as also the result of our Council of War in Canada. I think we shall secure all the publick stores and baggage of the Army, and secure our retreat with very little loss. Whether we shall have well men enough to carry them on, I much doubt, if we don’t remove quickly, unless Heaven is pleased to restore health to this wretched Army, now perhaps the most pitiful one that ever was formed.

There is no return of Colonel Patterson’s Regiment, as he has but five men here fit for duty, which I this day ordered to Crown Point to join the rest of the regiment, which are all sick there. You may assure yourself, my dear General, that nothing shall be wanting on my part to restore order among the troops here and to recover their health, as also to throw every stumbling-block in the way of the enemy, that lies in the power of your Excellency’s most affectionate humble servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

June 25, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: This morning, at daybreak, I received your Excellency’s favour of the 16th instant. Am extremely mortified to find that everything here has turned out contrary to my expectation and your Excellency’s 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 Three Rivers, of which I have given a full and perfect account in former letters. I am conscious of having done everything in my power to gain the ground our troops had lost, and to secure the retreat of the Army, when I found our point could not be carried. I imagine that General Schuyler forgot to enclose the return, as I think it went from me at the time; but I am not clear whether it did not go in a separate letter. I dare say it has reached you before this. I now enclose another, which wish safe to hand, and hope to have a more complete and perfect one in a few days, which I shall forward to your Excellency.

I am well convinced of the necessity of a good understanding being kept up among the officers of the Army. This has been remarkably the case since my arrival. I have not seen an instance to the contrary, except some few reflections which seemed to take place between the northern and southern troops, which I hope I have sufficiently cured by calling upon the officers of every corps, and requesting them to suppress a thing which, if continued, must weaken, if not destroy, the Army. They all agreed to join heartily in putting an end to this dangerous behaviour among the troops, which I am convinced they did, as I have heard nothing of it since, and find that harmony takes place among the troops in a surprising manner. In all our difficulties there seemed to be a unanimity of sentiment among all the officers. Indeed, I have not known the least dispute among them. The unfortunate General Thompson and the Baron De Woedtke and myself, were at Sorel. Never did greater harmony and friendship exist. General Arnold was at Montreal, and kept up the most friendly intercourse and correspondence with us, and we with him. It is true, I thought the keeping Colonel De Haas from Sorel was wrong, but only supposed it an error in judgment, as I did that of his keeping the forces in too great numbers at the posts up country. This I communicated to him in the most friendly manner, which he accounted for in a way that convinced me’ that he acted not without some foundation; though I think it would have been better had it not been done. Assure yourself, my dear General, that I will exert myself in cultivating harmony and friendship among both officers and soldiers in the Army; and that I am, with the most profound respect, your Excellency’s most devoted, humble servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. The Brigade-Major and Adjutant of the day have this moment informed me that, while they were parading the main guard, four men dropped down under arms, and appear like dead men. I am almost distracted with the thoughts of losing so many men as daily go off by sickness. I shall to-day remove from this infectious place to Isle-la-Motte, which I should have done before now, had not too many of our batteaus gone forward with the sick to Crown Point. Your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

J. SULLIVAN.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUTLER.

Lebanon, July 2, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of 25th of June is received. Some strange fatality seems to attend our northern Army. Yet our comfort and matter for rejoicing is the same—that the Lord reigns. I trust our Army is able to keep the navigation of the Lake. This is the critical time when every nerve must be strained for our security. Agreeable to your request, without loss of time expresses were sent to Norwich and Middletown. Captain J. Winslow came to me yesterday. I furnished him with an agreement and fifty pounds in cash, which you will see by the enclosed copy. I have taken measures, which I hope will prove acceptable, in the best manner to promote the undertaking of good men for the service. This day Captain Jonathan Lester came to me. I have transacted with him in the same manner as the other. I doubt not they will begin their march for Albany the beginning of, or in all next week. The former had encouragement from ten men, before he came to me— the latter from fifteen. Doubt not they will engage the men soon. I promised both the head carpenters to recommend it to you to make them some further allowance for their extra trouble and charge in raising the men, which appears to me highly reasonable. I trust you will find them substantial, valuable, skilful men, very suitable for your purpose. The forces raising for the Northern Department are forwarding with diligence; they will begin their march by parties. Brigadier-General Waterbury will be with you soon. The route is ordered in manner you directed. I have given directions concerning the prisoners mentioned in yours. There are two or three young persons—one the son of Captain Lester, the other belonging to Captain Winslow, and another to a good workman—whom I would recommend to your notice and a suitable allowance. Cleansing the Army from the infection of the small-pox is of the utmost importance. Certainly it is not difficult to be done. Let me know, by first opportunity, the measures taken for that purpose.

I am, with great truth and regard, sir, your obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TKUMBULL.

To the Hon. Major-General Schuyler.

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