The Newport Gazette

Extracts from the Rebel Papers

CAMP at Whitemarsh. October 12. 1777:

At a Court of Enquiry, held at Major General Lord Stirling's quarters, by order of his Excellency General Washington, to examine into the conduct of Major General Sullivan, in the expedition commanded by him to Staten Island, in the month of August last:

PRESENT.

Major General Lord STERLING, President.

Brigadier General McDOUGAL,

Brigadier General KNOX

[J]

Mem.

Colonel SPENCER.

Mem.

Colonel CLARK,

The Court after hearing the evidence against the conduct of Major General Sullivan, and those produced by him in his defence, and duly considering the same, are unanimously of opinion, that the expedition against the enemy on Staten Island, was eligible, and promised great advantage to the cause of America; that the expedition was well conducted, and the orders for the expedition proper, and would have succeeded with reputation to the General and the troops under his command, had it not in some measure been rendered abortive by accidents, which it out of the power of the General to foresee or prevent.

That General Sullivan was particularly active in embarking the troops to the Island, and took every precaution in his power to bring them off.

That he made early provision at Elizabeth Town, for refreshing the troops of his division, when they returned to Jersey; and that upon the maturest consideration of the evidence in possession of this Court, General Sullivan's conduct in planning and executing the expedition was such in the opinion of the Court, that he deserves the approbation of his country, and not its censure.

The Court therefore are unanimously of opinion, that he ought to stand honourably acquitted of any soldier-like conduct, in the expedition to Staten Island.

STERLING

ALEX. McDOUGAL

HENRY KNOX.

OLIVER SPENCER:

T. CLARK.

Published by order of Congress.

JOHN HANCOCK, President.