Sullivan, Thomas, 1755-

Thomas Sullivan was an Irish soldier in H.M. 49th Regiment of Foot commanded by General Alexander Maitland in the Revolutionary War. He later deserted the British Army and became a steward in the family of General Nathanael Greene.

From the description of Journal, 1778 April 22-July 28. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122464730

Born in Ireland, Thomas Sullivan served as a Sergeant in the British 49th Regiment of Foot under the command of Alexander Maitland. He arrived in North America during the fall of 1775, in time to witness the Battle of Bunker Hill and take part in the evacuation of British forces from Boston. From there, he proceeded with his regiment into the Long Island and Philadelphia campaigns, participating in a number of engagements.

By 1778, Sullivan's disaffection with service in the British Army seems to have reached a high tide. "Seeing American under arms," he wrote, and seeing that the Americans "were striving to throw off the Yoke, under which my native country sunk for many years," he deserted the British army in June, and made his way to Philadelphia. There, on July 4th, he agreed to become a steward to General Nathanael Greene, Quartermaster General for the Continental Army.

From the guide to the Journal of the operations of the American War, 1778-1779, (American Philosophical Society)