Battle+of+Newport

//__ **Battle of Rhode Island** __// August 29, 1778

One hundred years ago today the land of Newport was stained by the blood of patriots spilled while fighting the soldiers of [|King George]. This tragedy occurred on August 29, 1778, and is among the most heroic battles. This is also known as 'The Battle of Quaker Hill'. The Continental Army and militia force where in the hands of General John Sullivan was ask known as the major general in the continental army and also the governor of New Hampshire. British forces came to Newport with their well-armed navy ships and fired at the Americans under the command of King George. At that time it didn't look good for the Americans so [|General John Sullivan] moved to the northern part of Aquidneck Island after they left behind their siege of Newport Rhode Island. The battle ended decisive, but the Americans went to mainland leaving the island under British control.

 General Robert Pigot, commander for the British forces, decided to put his army in a defensive position around the Newport area. The Continental Army's also planned a strategy but they were very unsuccessful and caused them harm which lead them to suffer. The Battle began with the crossing at [|Howland's Ferry]with 11,000 Continental line troops and [|militia]. American generals decided to settle a defensive line after their plan of an offensive strategy struggled. By doing so they hoped to keep the British from the high ground in the northern section. The Americans put their forces On the west, and on the east. On the west the courageous General [|Nathanael Greene]gathered his sufficient troops in front of [|Turkey Hill]. On the east, the powerful Brigadier [|General John Glover] gathered his troops behind a stone overlooking Quaker Hill. American commanders thought that being near the Quaker Hill was important. It would give them a higher elevation, giving them an advantage over the British.The British had a similar strategy, also sent their troops to the east and the west. Hessian general, [|Friedrich Wilhelm von Lossberg], was sent up the west road. British army major general, [|Francis Smith], was sent up the east. General Freodrich and Fransis were given orders, by the powerful and bright Sir Robert Pigot, not to make a general attack. This lead to the main battle. In late 1776 The British armies occupied [|Newport]. French forces then quickly moved past Newport Harbor on August 9th. By the next day the diligent American Army moved onto Aquidneck Island. French forces were already stationed there on Aquidneck Island. British forces lured the French troops away from Newport on the 10th. Eighteen days later the American Army began to retreat north. By the 29th of August British troops chase the retreating American Army north and the British advance to Quaker Hill. By advancing to Quaker Hill the British claimed the hill and were stationed there. Hessian mercianaries attacked but were defeated by the [|1st Rhode Island Regiment.] The 1st regiment was not expected to defeat anyone, especially the authentic Hessians. On August 30, 1778 the American Army retreated onto the mainland.The battle ended unsettled, both the United States and Great Britain claimed they won the battle. The British captured land from the Americans. The Americans did, however, win some of it back. The Americans think they won because they won some of the land back. The Continental forces withdrew to [|Tiverton] on August 31 This left Aquidneck Island underBritish control. The Continental Army had to give up on their hopes of capturing and securing [|Narragansett Bay] for American and French ships. Of the United States Continental Army 30 men were killed, 137 wounded and 44 went missing. Of the British army 38 soldiers were killed, 210 wounded and and 12 went missing. vs. Sir Robert Pigot John Sulllivan

Important leaders in the battle The commander for the colonies of the United States was [|John Sullivan]. John was born on February 17, 1740 in New Hampshire. He was apart of the [|Federalist] party. John had a lot of experience with government and battle. John was a delegate in the [|continental congress] and a United States federal judge. John Sullivan served in the battle of Fort Mary and William, the battle of Long Island, the battle Trenton, the battle of Princeton and finally was the commander ofthe battle of Rhode Island.[|rt Pigot] commanded the British troops. He was born in London, England in 1720. Sir Robert Pigot had experience with government and battle. He was a major in the 10th Foot Regiment. He was a British army officer during the Revolutionary War. He commanded the left side of the British attack at the battle of Bunker Hill.

 Frist regime nt! The First Regiment of Rhode Island allowed enrollment for African Americans in 1778. The purpose for this recruitment was because not enough white men were being recruited or enrolled in the [|Continental Army]. Like all of the regiments, Rhode Island's first regiment formed by a colonial or state [|government]. Before it became known as the 1st regiment it was called Varnum's regiment. On May 8, 1775 Colonel [|James Varnum] organized the regiment . The regiment was rearranged and became known at the 9th regiment. Once again the regiment was rearranged. On January 1, 1777 the regiment became known as <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">1st Regiment of Rhode island <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande',Arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment became the only regiment of the Continental Army to have segregated companies of black soldiers. There were about 225 men in the<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[|regiment]. They soon became known as the "Black Regiment". The commander of this regiment was Colonel <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[|Christopher Greene].

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