In This Article
Battle at a Glance
The Yost Post · Battlefield Dossier
Battle of Rhode Island
August 29, 1778 · Portsmouth, Rhode Island
A failed siege of Newport becomes a hard-fought defensive battle on Aquidneck Island.
After the departure of the French fleet, Major General John Sullivan withdrew his army toward Portsmouth. British and German troops pursued on August 29, encountering American rear guards and an entrenched defensive line. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment helped repel attacks against the American right.
- Date
- August 29, 1778
- Campaign
- Rhode Island / Newport Campaign
- Location
- Portsmouth, Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island
- British Commander
- Major General Sir Robert Pigot
- American Commander
- Major General John Sullivan
- American Strength
- Approximately 10,100 in campaign estimates; numbers present fluctuated
- British / German Strength
- Approximately 6,700 in campaign estimates
- French Naval Commander
- Vice Admiral Charles-Henri d’Estaing
- Result
- Tactically inconclusive; American army withdrew intact
- Other Names
- Battle of Quaker Hill; Battle of Newport
British / Hessian Objective
Disrupt the American withdrawal, drive back its defensive line and exploit opportunities to destroy or isolate Sullivan’s army.
American Objective
Protect the retreating army, hold the northern island approaches and evacuate to the mainland without being cut off.
Principal fighting: Quaker Hill, Turkey Hill and the approaches to the American line near Butts Hill and Durfee’s Hill.
Terrain: Ridge lines, farms, stone walls, wetlands, roads, earthworks and shorelines.
American Battlefield Trust estimates. Other published returns differ.
The Americans held their defensive line and evacuated, but failed to retake Newport.
The battle highlighted the military contribution of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and exposed the difficulties of coordinating the first major Franco-American campaign.
Overview
On August 29, 1778, American troops under Major General John Sullivan fought British regulars and German auxiliaries near Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island. The encounter followed an unsuccessful effort to recapture British-occupied Newport with French naval assistance. After severe weather damaged the French and British fleets, the French commander sailed to Boston for repairs. Sullivan, left without the expected naval support, withdrew northward. British troops advanced from Newport and attacked his rear guard and defensive positions.
The most consequential fighting took place near Quaker Hill and along the American right, where the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, containing a substantial number of Black soldiers, defended a redoubt against repeated Hessian attacks. American reinforcements and artillery supported the defense. Although the siege of Newport failed, Sullivan’s force survived and withdrew from the island during the following night.
“Inconclusive” describes the August 29 fighting. Strategically, the Americans failed to recover Newport; operationally, their defensive action protected the withdrawal. These judgments describe different aspects of the same campaign.
Historical Background: The Campaign Against Newport
British Occupation of Aquidneck Island
British troops occupied Newport in December 1776. Control of its harbor provided an important naval base in Narragansett Bay, but occupation also strained the town’s economy and placed surrounding communities under military pressure. American leaders sought to dislodge the garrison and recover the island.
France Enters the War
The Franco-American alliance of 1778 transformed the strategic situation. A French fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Charles-Henri d’Estaing arrived off the American coast, creating an opportunity to combine French naval power with Continental and militia troops. Sullivan was assigned to direct the American ground campaign; Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette were among his senior subordinates.
The Attempt to Besiege Newport
American troops crossed from Tiverton to Aquidneck Island on August 9 and advanced toward the British defenses at Newport. The French fleet entered Narragansett Bay, but the approach of a British squadron under Admiral Richard Howe drew d’Estaing to sea.
A powerful storm on August 10–11 scattered and damaged the fleets. D’Estaing subsequently decided to repair his ships at Boston rather than continue the Newport operation.
The Decision to Withdraw
Sullivan continued preparations while hoping for French support, but the loss of naval assistance, expiring militia enlistments and the possibility of British reinforcement made the siege increasingly untenable.
On the night of August 28, the American army began withdrawing toward a defensive position around Butts Hill in Portsmouth. British troops discovered the movement at dawn and advanced in pursuit.
Commanders & Participating Forces
The army strengths commonly quoted for the campaign do not describe the number of men firing at any single position. Units arrived, withdrew, detached guards and occupied separate parts of the battlefield.
American Command
| Commander | Position | Battlefield Role |
|---|---|---|
| Major General John Sullivan | Overall American commander | Directed siege, defensive battle and evacuation |
| Major General Nathanael Greene | American right wing | Coordinated defense against Hessian attacks |
| Brigadier General John Glover | American left / advance troops | Commanded forces engaged near Quaker Hill |
| Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum | Continental brigade commander | Brigade included the 1st Rhode Island Regiment |
| Colonel Christopher Greene | 1st Rhode Island regimental commander | Associated with regiment; battlefield command exercised by Major Ward |
| Major Samuel Ward Jr. | 1st Rhode Island field commander | Commanded regiment in the redoubt fighting |
| Marquis de Lafayette | American general and French liaison | Worked to preserve cooperation with French command |
British & German Command
| Commander | Role | Operational Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Major General Sir Robert Pigot | British commander at Newport | Directed British defense and pursuit |
| Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Lossberg | German commander | Directed Hessian operations against American positions |
| Brigadier General Francis Smith | British field commander | Associated with attacks against American forward positions |
| Admiral Richard Howe | British naval commander | Challenged French naval operations |
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was among the most distinctive Continental formations of the Revolutionary War. Rhode Island legislation enacted in February 1778 permitted the enlistment of enslaved Black men into the regiment, with freedom promised to those who served under the law’s terms.
Black soldiers served alongside white soldiers and Native American men. The regiment was not entirely Black, and its composition changed over time. Its participation at Rhode Island represented an important example of Black military service within the Continental Army.
Major Samuel Ward Jr. commanded the regiment during the battle. Its defense of an advanced redoubt became one of the best-known episodes of the fighting.
Battlefield Geography & Terrain
The northern portion of Aquidneck Island offered Sullivan an opportunity to establish a defensive line while retaining access to evacuation routes toward Tiverton and the mainland. The British advance had to negotiate successive ridges, roads and defended positions.
Butts Hill
The principal American fortified position near Portsmouth. Its elevated ground and earthworks provided a defensible center for the army.
Quaker Hill
An important area of fighting on the American left, where British forces attacked American advance troops.
Turkey Hill
High ground associated with the British and German advance against American positions.
Durfee’s Hill
Part of the American right-wing defensive area, where Continental troops and artillery resisted the attacking forces.
The Redoubt
An advanced American defensive work associated with the 1st Rhode Island Regiment’s resistance against Hessian attacks.
Evacuation Routes
Access to the mainland across the eastern waterways allowed Sullivan to withdraw his army after the battle.
The modern landscape has changed considerably since 1778. Exact unit positions and the boundaries of historical earthworks should be established through contemporary maps and archaeological or battlefield studies rather than inferred from present-day roads.
Weapons, Equipment & Logistics
Continental Infantry Weapons
American infantry carried flintlock muskets, including French and British patterns, with variations in equipment and ammunition. Many Continental soldiers possessed bayonets, although availability was not uniform throughout the army.
British and Hessian Weapons
British and German infantry relied primarily on smoothbore muskets and bayonets. Their training emphasized controlled volleys, formation movement and coordinated attacks. German auxiliary forces brought established European military practices to the battlefield.
Artillery
Artillery played an important role in the American defense. Batteries positioned near the principal defensive line could threaten advancing infantry and help prevent the attackers from exploiting local gains.
The Logistical Problem
Sullivan’s army faced a difficult operational situation. The French fleet had departed, militia service terms were expiring, and British reinforcements might arrive by sea. Maintaining the army on the island risked trapping it between the Newport garrison and British naval forces.
Withdrawal required preserving roads, organizing rear guards, moving supplies and artillery, and preparing boats for evacuation. The battle therefore formed part of a larger effort to save the American army rather than an attempt to capture Newport on August 29.
Intelligence & Operational Planning
The Franco-American Plan
The campaign depended upon cooperation between Sullivan’s army and the French fleet. Naval support was expected to help isolate the Newport garrison and prevent British reinforcement or evacuation.
The Naval Crisis
Admiral Howe’s appearance and the subsequent storm changed the strategic circumstances. The damage suffered by d’Estaing’s fleet prompted its departure for Boston, leaving the Americans without the naval support essential to their original plan.
Sullivan’s Withdrawal
Sullivan’s decision to move northward on August 28 was intended to avoid the destruction or isolation of his army. The Americans occupied defensive ground from which they could resist pursuit while preparing to cross to the mainland.
British Pursuit
British commanders recognized the American withdrawal and moved forward on August 29. Their advance developed into fighting against American rear guards and eventually the principal defensive positions.
The failure of the Newport campaign cannot be explained solely by the departure of the French fleet. Weather, naval damage, militia enlistments, British reinforcement risks and the difficulty of coordinating two allied commands all contributed to the outcome.
The Battle Unfolds: Interactive Timeline
Expand each entry to follow the Newport campaign, the defensive battle of August 29 and Sullivan’s evacuation. Times are approximate where precise contemporary evidence is unavailable.
1776–1778
December 1776 — British occupation of Newport
British forces occupy Newport and Aquidneck Island, establishing a base that threatens American control of Narragansett Bay.
February 1778 — Rhode Island authorizes Black enlistment
Rhode Island permits enslaved Black men to enlist in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment under legislation promising freedom for qualifying service. The measure helps strengthen the Continental regiment.
July 1778 — French fleet arrives
Vice Admiral d’Estaing arrives off the American coast. American leaders begin coordinating an expedition against British-held Newport.
August 1778
August 9 — American troops land on Aquidneck Island
Sullivan’s forces cross from Tiverton and move toward Newport. The Americans prepare to invest the British defenses while expecting support from the French fleet.
August 10–11 — A storm disrupts naval operations
The French and British fleets maneuver offshore before a severe storm scatters and damages their ships. The disruption prevents the intended combined operation from proceeding as planned.
August 20–22 — The French fleet departs
D’Estaing decides to take his damaged ships to Boston for repairs. The American army is left without the naval support required for the original siege plan.
August 28 — Sullivan begins withdrawing
American forces abandon their advanced siege positions and move north toward Portsmouth. Sullivan establishes a defensive position around Butts Hill to protect the army’s withdrawal.
August 29, 1778 — Battle Day
Early Morning — British troops discover the withdrawal
British forces advance from Newport after discovering that Sullivan’s army has abandoned its former positions. American rear guards delay the pursuit while the main force occupies its defensive line.
Morning — Fighting develops near Quaker Hill
British regulars engage American troops on the left. The terrain, roads and successive defensive positions complicate the advance.
American commanders seek to delay the British while preventing their own forward detachments from becoming isolated.
Late Morning — Hessian troops advance against the American right
German auxiliary troops move against American positions near Turkey Hill and the approaches to Durfee’s Hill.
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment occupies an advanced redoubt in the threatened sector. Its soldiers include Black, white and Native American Continental troops.
Midday — The 1st Rhode Island Regiment holds its position
Hessian infantry launch attacks against the redoubt defended by the 1st Rhode Island Regiment under Major Samuel Ward Jr.
The defenders resist repeated assaults. Their position, disciplined fire and supporting American forces prevent the attackers from securing a decisive breakthrough.
Published histories differ concerning the exact number and sequence of Hessian attacks. The central event is well established: the regiment successfully resisted repeated assaults against its position.
Afternoon — American reinforcements stabilize the line
Nathanael Greene directs the American right wing. Continental troops and artillery help resist the British and German advance.
Fighting continues across portions of the battlefield, but the British fail to break Sullivan’s principal defensive line.
Late Afternoon — Major fighting subsides
The American army remains in possession of its principal defensive position. British forces do not achieve the destruction of Sullivan’s army.
Both sides have suffered casualties, and the Americans continue preparations for evacuation.
Night of August 29–30 — Sullivan evacuates
American troops withdraw from Aquidneck Island to the mainland under cover of darkness. The operation preserves the army and prevents the British from trapping it on the island.
After the Battle
August 30 — British reinforcements arrive too late
British reinforcements reach the area after the American evacuation, preventing them from exploiting Sullivan’s vulnerable position before his withdrawal.
October 1779 — British forces evacuate Newport
British troops eventually abandon Newport as wider strategic priorities change. The town has suffered substantial disruption from the occupation.
Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions
Sullivan’s Defensive Strategy
Sullivan did not need to defeat the entire British garrison in a decisive offensive engagement. His immediate task was to protect an army withdrawing from an unsuccessful siege.
By occupying defensible high ground near Portsmouth, the Americans could resist attacks while maintaining access to the mainland.
The British Advance
The British sought to exploit the American withdrawal. Their forces advanced along separate approaches, attacking American troops near Quaker Hill and the positions defending the right wing.
The broken terrain and American defensive preparations limited the effectiveness of a rapid advance.
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment’s Redoubt
The regiment’s position was especially important because it guarded part of the American right. The redoubt provided protection against musket fire and gave the defenders a prepared position from which to resist infantry attacks.
Hessian troops attempted to drive the defenders from their works. The attacks were repelled, and the regiment maintained its position with assistance from other American forces.
This diagram illustrates the defensive relationship between the American redoubt and advancing Hessian infantry. It is not a measured reconstruction of exact historical positions.
Why the Defense Succeeded
The American defenders benefited from prepared earthworks, favorable ground and the ability to concentrate fire against advancing infantry. Hessian attackers had to approach under fire while maintaining formation and coordination.
The regiment’s resistance must also be understood within Greene’s larger defensive system. Supporting Continental troops and artillery helped prevent local attacks from developing into a general breakthrough.
Why the British Did Not Destroy Sullivan’s Army
The Americans occupied a strong position and resisted attacks long enough to complete preparations for evacuation. British commanders faced the difficulty of advancing across defended ground without exposing their troops to unnecessary losses.
The result was an American defensive success within an unsuccessful larger campaign.
The Soldier’s Experience
Black Soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
For Black soldiers serving in the regiment, the battle represented both military service and a struggle connected to the promise of freedom. Rhode Island’s 1778 enlistment legislation had offered emancipation to qualifying enslaved men who joined the regiment.
These soldiers trained and fought within a Continental formation alongside white and Native American soldiers. Their participation was not merely symbolic. They occupied a threatened defensive position and resisted repeated attacks by experienced German infantry.
Major Samuel Ward Jr.
Ward commanded the regiment during the battle. His responsibility included maintaining discipline, coordinating the defense and preventing the redoubt from falling to the attacking forces.
His role illustrates the importance of field officers in translating broader command decisions into effective regimental action.
Continental Soldiers on the Defensive Line
Other Continental soldiers fought along the American right and left, supported artillery positions, guarded roads and helped cover the withdrawal. Their experience varied considerably according to unit assignment and battlefield location.
Hessian Soldiers
German auxiliary troops serving the British Crown were professional soldiers operating far from their homes. They advanced against prepared American positions under musket and artillery fire.
Their experience should not be reduced to the popular image of mercenaries fighting without discipline or commitment. German units possessed experienced officers, established military traditions and demanding battlefield assignments.
Civilians on Aquidneck Island
The campaign brought armies, requisitions, destruction and disruption to an island already under occupation. Farms, roads and buildings became military positions. The subsequent British withdrawal in 1779 left Newport economically and physically damaged.
Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?
The battle is particularly important to descendants researching the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, Varnum’s brigade, Glover’s command and the New England militia mobilized for the Newport expedition.
However, a pension application identifying service in Rhode Island during 1778 does not by itself prove that a soldier fought at the redoubt on August 29.
Units and Research Questions
| Unit or Command | Connection | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Rhode Island Regiment | Defended redoubt on American right | Company, enlistment date, muster roll, casualty return |
| Varnum’s brigade | Supported right-wing defense | Regiment, brigade assignment and field position |
| Greene’s right wing | Directed defense near Durfee’s Hill | Whether named soldier’s unit was committed to attacks |
| Glover’s command | Engaged British near Quaker Hill | Advance guard or main line assignment |
| Rhode Island and Massachusetts militia | Participated in Newport campaign | Dates of service and whether present August 29 |
| Artillery detachments | Supported American defensive positions | Battery and officer identification |
How to Evaluate a Pension Declaration
Record the soldier’s exact wording, commanding officers, place names, dates and length of service. Distinguish an August 1778 campaign claim from a statement of presence at the Battle of Rhode Island.
Compare later testimony with contemporary pay abstracts, muster rolls, returns and state military records.
No individual from the uploaded pension index is identified here as a battle participant without examining the relevant service entry and supporting record. This avoids converting an index match into an unsupported battlefield claim.
Battle Outcome & Casualties
Published Casualty Estimates
The American Battlefield Trust lists 181 American casualties and 260 British and German casualties, for 441 total. These totals are frequently reproduced in modern summaries, but other documentary traditions report different killed, wounded and missing counts.
Casualties for the whole battle must not be confused with those of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment alone.
| Force | Estimated Casualties | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| American forces | 181 | Battle-wide estimated total |
| British and German forces | 260 | Battle-wide estimated total |
| Combined | 441 | Sum of published estimates |
Casualties of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
Published figures for the regiment vary. A congressional historical summary reports three killed, nine wounded and eleven missing, while an older National Historic Landmark study gives a much lower count of killed and wounded.
The difference requires examination of the underlying returns before selecting a definitive regiment-level total.
Who Won?
The British retained Newport, so the American campaign failed in its original objective. During the August 29 engagement, however, Sullivan’s army resisted the British attacks and maintained its principal position.
The successful evacuation prevented a more serious American defeat. “Inconclusive battle” and “failed American campaign” are therefore compatible descriptions.
Strategic Significance & Aftermath
The Evacuation Saves Sullivan’s Army
During the night following the battle, Sullivan’s troops crossed from Aquidneck Island to the mainland. British reinforcements arrived after the withdrawal, too late to exploit the exposed American army. The Continental force survived to fight another day.
A Difficult Beginning for the French Alliance
The Newport expedition was the first major attempt at combined Franco-American operations after the alliance. The departure of the French fleet caused frustration among American officers and civilians, but the military relationship endured.
Later cooperation proved decisive in the Yorktown campaign of 1781.
The Military Reputation of the 1st Rhode Island
The defense of the redoubt brought attention to the fighting ability of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, including its Black soldiers. Their performance challenged contemporary racial assumptions even though it did not end the institution of slavery or guarantee equal treatment for Black veterans.
Newport Remains British Until 1779
British troops held Newport for more than another year, evacuating in October 1779 as British strategic priorities shifted. The occupation and campaign had imposed lasting hardship on the local population.
Remembering the Battlefield
The Portsmouth battlefield and Butts Hill Fort are important sites for studying the campaign, the Franco-American alliance and the service of Black Continental soldiers.
Modern preservation and interpretation help distinguish documented military history from later commemorative traditions.
Primary Sources & Historical Research
The campaign can be reconstructed through official correspondence, officer reports, military returns, journals, Hessian accounts and historical battlefield studies. Modern summaries should be compared with these materials where claims about exact troop positions or individual casualties are made.
Contemporary Evidence and Archival Leads
The Rhode Island Historical Society preserves soldier accounts, including Noah Robinson’s 1778 journal. Sullivan’s correspondence, British headquarters records, Hessian officer narratives, contemporary maps and regimental muster returns are essential for detailed unit-level research.
The original documents have not all been individually transcribed or reconciled for this article.
Historical Research and Battlefield Interpretation
- National Park Service, Jack Sisson: A Legacy of Courage and Liberty. View source. Discusses the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and repeated Hessian attacks.
- American Battlefield Trust, Rhode Island Battle Facts and Summary. View source. Campaign overview, estimates of strength and casualties.
- American Battlefield Trust, Weathering the Storm: The Battle of Rhode Island. View source. Campaign interpretation, naval operations and right-wing fighting.
- Rhode Island Historical Society, Fighting Like Heroes. View source. Introduces contemporary soldier journals and archival material.
- Battle of Rhode Island Association, Interactive Timeline. View source. Detailed chronology and unit movements; precise times should be cross-checked.
- Battle of Rhode Island Association, 1st Rhode Island Regiment Timeline. View source. Regimental defense and Hessian assaults.
- National Historic Landmark Nomination, Battle of Rhode Island Historic Site. View source. Historic-site documentation, Black troop strength and alternative casualty accounting.
- Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Battlefield Planning Document. View source. Battlefield positions, commanders and redoubt placement.
- American Battlefield Trust, Rhode Island Battlefield Map. View source. Modern battlefield mapping and campaign overview.
Research Limitations
The exact sequence and count of Hessian attacks, regiment-specific casualty totals and individual soldier positions differ among published accounts.
The article therefore distinguishes documented general participation from unverified claims about named soldiers and avoids presenting a conceptual battlefield diagram as an exact reconstruction.
Battle-wide strength estimates, troops actually engaged, individual regimental strength and casualty returns are separate measures. They should not be combined without identifying their source and date.