In the summer of 1778 there were 6,000 British
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Scene of the engagement on Khode Island, Aug. 29, 1778.
(from a print in the Gentleman's magazine , 1778.) |
troops in
Rhode Island, commanded by
General Pigot.
His headquarters were at
Newport.
They had held the island since late in 1776.
An attempt had been made, by a force under
General Spencer, of
Connecticut, the year before, to expel them from the island, but it failed, and that officer resigned his commission and shortly after entered Congress.
General Sullivan was his successor, and he had been directed to call on the
New England States for 5.000 militia.
The call was promptly obeyed.
John Hancock, as general, led the
Massachusetts militia in person.
There was much enthusiasm.
The French fleet, under
D'Estaing, occupied Narraganset Bay and opened communication with the
American army, then near, and 10,000 strong.
The French fleet even entered
Newport Harbor, and compelled the
British to burn or sink six frigates that lay there.
There was a delay of a week before the
American army could be made ready to move against the foe.
Greene and
Lafayette had both been sent to aid
Sullivan, and success was confidently expected.
On Aug. 10 the
Americans crossed over the narrow strait at the north end of the island in two divisions, commanded respectively by
Greene and
Lafayette, where they expected to be joined by the 4,000 French troops of the fleet, according to arrangement.
But at that time
Howe had appeared off
Newport with his fleet, and
D'Estaing went out to meet him, taking the troops with him. A stiff wind was then rising from the northeast, and before the two fleets were ready for attack it had increased to a furious gale, and scattered both armaments.
The wind blew the spray from the ocean over
Newport, and the windows were incrusted with salt.
The French fleet, much shattered, went to
Boston for repairs, and the storm, which ended on the 14th, spoiled much of the
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340]
ammunition of the
Americans, and damaged their provisions.
Expecting
D'Estaing's speedy return, the
Americans had marched towards
Newport, and when
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View northward from Butts's Hill. |
Sullivan found he had gone to
Boston, he sent
Lafayette to urge him to return.
The militia began to desert, and
Sullivan's army was reduced to 6,000 men. He felt compelled to retreat, and began that movement on the night of the 28th, pursued by the
British.
The
Americans made a
stand at Butts's Hill, and, turning, drove the pursuers back to
Quaker Hill, where they had strong intrenchments.
There a severe engagement occurred (Aug. 29), and the
British were pushed farther back.
It was a hot and sultry day, and many perished by the heat.
The action ended at 3 P. M., but a sluggish cannonade was kept up until sunset.
On the night of the 30th
Sullivan's army withdrew to the main.
They had lost about 200 men, and the
British 260.
Sullivan made bitter complaints against
D'Estaing, but Congress soothed his wounded spirit by commending his course.
The day after
Sullivan withdrew, the
British on
Rhode Island were reinforced by 4,000 men from New York, led by
General Clinton in person.
Quakers
