Major-General John Sullivan (February 17, 1740 – January 23, 1795) was a Continental Army officer, politician and judge who fought in the American Revolutionary War and participated several key events of the conflict, including most notably George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River.

[2][3] As a member of Congress, Sullivan worked closely with the French ambassador to the United States, the Chevalier de la Luzerne.

Born in Somersworth in the Province of New Hampshire, British America,[4] Sullivan was the third son of Irish settlers from the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland; his father was a schoolmaster.

[7] A landing party from HMS Allegiance on February 14, 1781, kidnapped another brother, Captain David Sullivan, who later died of disease.

[9] The Penal Laws reduced them (as Catholics) to the legal status of peasants, although they retained their wealth and social standing.

After emigrating to York in the area the Province of Massachusetts Bay that would eventually become the State of Maine, in 1723, the elder John became a Protestant.

[24] By November 8, Sullivan and Folsom were back in New Hampshire to work for acceptance of the Declaration and the Association of the colonies to support economic measures to achieve their objectives.

[25][26] Sullivan led another militia force on a second raid on December 15, taking 16 cannon, about 60 muskets and other stores.

[33] Upon arrival in Philadelphia, Sullivan joined those who argued that war had been started by the actions at the Battles of Lexington and Concord and that the colonies should proceed with it.

[36] After the British evacuated Boston in the spring of 1776, Washington sent Brigadier General Sullivan north to replace the fallen John Thomas as commander in Quebec.

[40] Sullivan rejoined Washington and was placed in command of the troops on Long Island to defend against British General Howe's forces about to envelop New York City.

Sullivan's personal bravery was unquestioned, as he engaged the Hessian attackers at Battle Pass with a pistol in each hand; however, he was captured.

[42] General Howe and his brother, Admiral Richard Howe, managed to convince Sullivan that a conference with members of the Continental Congress might lead to peace, and released him on parole to deliver a message to the Congress in Philadelphia,[43] proposing an informal meeting to discuss ending the armed conflict between Britain and its rebellious colonies.

General Sullivan was released in a prisoner exchange (for captured British officer Richard Prescott)[46] in time to rejoin Washington before the Battle of Trenton.

[54] Owing to the damage to his ships and discouraged by the arrival of a British fleet under Lord Howe, D'Estaing withdrew to Boston.

[55] The British garrison of Newport then sortied, forcing Sullivan into retreat after fighting the inconclusive Battle of Rhode Island in August 1778.

Sullivan wrote a letter to D'Estaing protesting what he saw as treachery and cowardice and describing it as "derogatory to the honor of France".

Jeffrey Ostler estimates that the around 200 Iroquois were killed by direct military action, including some women and children.

[2][3] He pushed his troops so hard that many of their horses became unusable and died on this campaign, creating the namesake for Horseheads, New York.

[67][68] In late 1780 or early 1781, Sullivan, who often claimed to be in financial straits, borrowed money from the French minister to Congress, probably with no intent or expectation of repayment.

[70] Yet, Sullivan worked to help the country and government on several matters such as seeking French financial support for the United States.

[69] Later in the year, Sullivan worked to get people appointed as peace negotiators, especially Benjamin Franklin, who were favored by the French because they might not insist on western land claims and thereby help shorten the war by eliminating that issue.

[72] One of Sullivan's last acts was to vote for Robert Livingston for appointment to the position of United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

[77] Following the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Sullivan became one of the original 31 members of The Society of the Cincinnati in the state of New Hampshire on November 18, 1783.

According to local legend, Sullivan used "Saint Patrick" as the official password the day he led Colonial troops into Boston.