The Irish standard., 1905-09-02
He Was Descended From a DISTINGUISHED
Irish Family Renowned for Centuries
Throughout Europe.
After the War He Was Thrice Elected Gov
ernor of New Hampshire and Then
Became Federal Judge.

N. II. In 1872 he was commissioned
major in the militia, and was a dele.
gate to the first continental congress
Upon the approach of hostiiities. he.
with John Langdon, conducted an ex.
pedition against Fort William and
Mary, hauled down the British flag
and captured 9G barrels of powder
Much of this was subsequently used
by the patriots at the battle of Bun.
ker Hill. Sullivan was commissioned
a brigadier general by congress, par
ticipated in the siege of Boston, and
by his own exertions raised 1000 New
Hampshire men, who also took part
in the siege. A great many of these
men were of Irish blood The British
evacuated Boston on st. Patrick's day.
March II, 177G
Immediately after this event General
Sullivan was ordered to Rhode Island
with his brigade to repel a threatened
attack by the enemy. This was the
generals first military visit to the
state. OF his second tour of duty
there, more later. Sullivan and Greene.
the latter a native of Warwick, R, l..
We're commissioned major-generals on
the same day. The two became close
friends and were associated on many
an important occasion. At the cross.
ing Of the Delaware, Sullivan led the
American right that captured the Hes.
slams at Trenton. He made a night
descent on Staten Island, for which he
received the thanks of congress. He
was with Washington at Westchester
and Princeton. He commanded the
American right wing at Brandywine
and at Germantown, defeating the
British left His historic password on
st. Patrick's day, "St. Patrick" is we'll
known
The loss of the Americans in the
battle was 211 in battle of Rhode Is
land, and that of the British 1929. On
Sullivan's staff that day were two Of
aid-de-camp, and James Sullivan, then
a judge of the Massachusetts superior
court. In one spot on the field of bat
tie GO British dead were found: in an.
other 80 Hessians were buried in one
grave. Many officers and men of Irish
descent served in Sullivan's army that
day. ,.-.,~,;s,,.;. Z:
On July 20, 1878, the magnificent
French fleet under D'Estaing arrived
on Brenton's ledge, below Newport.
1t comprised 12 ships of the line, four
frigates and a corvette. The ships of
the line comprised the Languedoc.
Marseillais. Provence. Tonnant, Sag.
gittaire, Guerriere, Fantasque, Cesar,
Protecteur, Valiant, Zele and Hector:
the frigates were the Chimere, ZEN.
gageante, Aimable and Alcemne. All
helped Sullivan.
Sullivan remained in command in
the state until March, 1879, when he
was succeeded by Gates. Previous to
his departure, however, he was pre-.
sented with the following address by
the town Of Providence:
ITO Major Genera: John Sullivan:
"Sir-As you have sustained the
high office of commander-in.chief at
tbs post for about year past, and
during that whole time have carefully
attended to and cordially promoted the
peace, interest and safety of the state
in general, and of this town in particu.
lar, all that prudence could suggest.
that diligence could effect or valor at
tempt, has been done for us. But as
the service of America is now to de.
prive us Of your further continuance
here, and calls you to fill the same
high Office, in more important com.
mands, we can do no less than honest.
ly to return you our sincere thanks
and most grateful acknowledgements.
wishing you the blessings of heaven.
success in all your efforts to serve
your country, that you may happily
tread the courts Of virtue, and finally
reach the temple of fame.
I'VE are. sir. with every sentiment