Historedia
Person

John Sullivan

Events
4
Episodes
15
Years
1776–1779

Every event in Historedia whose sources name John Sullivan, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Battle of Trenton

    1776

    Role: American general leading the southern column that blocked the Assunpink Creek crossing

    1. December 14, 1776 · Hessian winter quarters in Trenton, New JerseyHessians Establish Winter Quarters at Trenton

      Four Hessian regiments under Colonel Rall occupied Trenton in mid-December 1776, though the troops found no rest there.

    2. December 17–22, 1776 · Outposts around TrentonAdvance-Party Ambushes Before the Battle

      In the week before the battle, American advance parties ambushed Hessian patrols and pickets, keeping the garrison unsettled.

    3. December 25, 1776 (evening) · Abraham Hunt's farm near TrentonHoneyman's Deception and Hunt's Christmas Hospitality

      Washington's spy John Honeyman convinced the Hessians no attack was coming, while Abraham Hunt's Christmas hosting lulled Rall.

    4. Night of December 25–26, 1776 · Delaware River crossing north of TrentonDelaware Crossing and the Approach March

      Washington's 2,400-man main force crossed the Delaware north of Trenton on the night of December 25–26 and split into two columns.

    5. December 26, 1776 · Trenton, New JerseyThe Surprise Attack on Trenton

      At 8 a.m. on December 26, Washington's columns converged on Trenton, cut off escape routes, and overwhelmed the Hessians after fierce resistance.

    6. December 26, 1776 · Trenton, New JerseySurrender, Casualties, and Captured Supplies

      The Hessians lost 22 killed including Rall, with 896 captured; the Americans seized tons of provisions and supplies.

  2. Battle of Brandywine

    1777

    Role: Major General whose division extended northward along the Brandywine's east banks

    1. September 9, 1777 · Chadds Ford fords on the BrandywineWashington Deploys Behind Brandywine Creek

      After Cooch's Bridge, Washington abandoned Red Clay Creek and deployed at Chadds Ford, guarding multiple fords beginning September 9, 1777.

    2. September 9, 1777 · American dispositions along the Brandywine fordsAmerican Divisions Guard the Fords

      Armstrong's Pennsylvania militia covered Pyle's Ford; Wayne and Greene held Chadds Ford; Sullivan, Stephen, and Stirling extended northward along the east banks.

    3. September 11, 1777 · Chadds Ford and Brandywine Creek, Chester CountyBattle of Brandywine

      Howe demonstrated before Chadds Ford while flanking Washington's right; Knyphausen broke the weakened American center, routing the Continental Army.

  3. Battle of Rhode Island

    1778

    Role: Major General commanding Continental Army and militia forces

    1. August 1778 · Newport, Aquidneck IslandSiege of British-occupied Newport

      Sullivan's Continental and militia forces besieged British troops occupying Newport on Aquidneck Island before choosing to lift the siege.

    2. August 29, 1778 · Aquidneck Island (Rhode Island)Battle of Rhode Island (Battle of Quaker Hill)

      The inconclusive battle was fought on August 29, 1778, with naval bombardment, repulsed assaults, and the 1st Rhode Island Regiment's notable participation.

    3. Night of August 30, 1778 · Aquidneck Island to Bristol and TivertonContinental withdrawal from Aquidneck Island

      After the inconclusive battle, Continental forces withdrew to Bristol and Tiverton on the night of August 30, leaving Aquidneck Island under British control.

  4. Cherry Valley Massacre

    1778–1779

    Role: Major general who led the 1779 punitive expedition

    1. 1778 · Cherry ValleySeneca Motivation and Refusal of Quarter

      A Mohawk chief justified the massacre by citing American burning of Native houses, and Senecas declared they would refuse quarter in future fights.

    2. November 11, 1778 · Fort and village of Cherry Valley, central New YorkAttack on Cherry Valley

      British, Loyalist, and Haudenosaunee forces assaulted the fort and village of Cherry Valley on November 11, 1778, killing over 40 people.

    3. 1779 · Upstate New YorkCalls for Reprisal and the Sullivan Expedition

      The massacre, alongside accusations of murder at Wyoming, prompted Washington to commission the 1779 Sullivan Expedition against the Haudenosaunee.

Sources

  1. Battle of Trenton Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29
  2. Battle of Brandywine Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-26
  3. Battle of Rhode Island Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-29
  4. Aquidneck Island Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-13
  5. Cherry Valley massacre Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-26