Newport

Continental Army forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing after abandoning their siege of Newport, Rhode Island. The British forces in Newport sortied and attacked the retreating Americans. The American generals established a defensive line across the …

1778-08-29

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Continental Army forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing after abandoning their siege of Newport, Rhode Island. The British forces in Newport sortied and attacked the retreating Americans. The American generals established a defensive line across the entire island, hoping to deny the British the high ground in the north, then organized their forces in two sections. The British followed suit and organized their attack in a corresponding way, sending two regiments each up a road to the east and west under orders to not make a general attack. As it turned out, this advance led to the main battle.

Newport, Rhode Island

The Battle of Rhode Island took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan had been besieging the British forces in Newport, Rhode Island, which is situated on Aquidneck Island, but they had finally abandoned their siege and were withdrawing to the northern part of the island. The British forces then sortied, supported by recently arrived Royal Navy ships, and they attacked the retreating Americans. The battle ended inconclusively, but the Continental forces withdrew to the mainland and left Aquidneck Island in British hands.

Wikipedia: Battle of Rhode Island

Continental Army

Great Britain