The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-09-12
RHoDE-IsLAND REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
I77S.

as to the siege of Rhode Island, we here give
General Plgnts official report To " General
Sir Henry Clinton" dated Newport, Rhode
Island, August 81, l77S.
" "Thougk by NY several letters since the
ooh of July last, more especially 10y that
had the honor of wiring by Lieutenant Gu
lionel Stuart, and the accuracy of his intel
ligeuce, your Excelency will have been IN
formed of the stnte OF affairs here 10 The
2Slh instant; yet as many of these letters,
from TIE uncertainty of The communication,
may not have reached you, summary of
the transactions since the 29ih of July,
when the Ficnch feet arrived, to the last
period, will not he unnecessary, and may
help to explain subsequent events.
From the first appearance of the fleet to
the 4th instant, our utmost exerlioEs were
directed in removing To places of security
the provisions, ammunition, and military
and naval stores, which were either on board
ship or on The wharves, preparing fortified
camp, and disposing every thing for resist
ing the combined attacks of The French aud
rebels upon US; and ! immediately with
drew from Conanicut, Browns provincial
corps aud two regiments Of Anspach, which
had been stationed there. The next mnru-
ing the guns on the Beaver-Tail anil Dam
pin batteries, the former of which was di.
rec,ed with some effect against two liue of
battle slips that entered The Narragnnsert
passage. were rendered unscrviceube, as the
feet entering The hnrhor would cot off all
communication will, that island, of which
the French Admiral soon after took tenn
porary possessiou, and landed the marines
of his squalron. During this period, from
the movements of the French ships on the
SeconGei, on the 30lh, the Kings Fisher
and two eallies were obliged To be set o''
FIRE; and afterwards, on The 9Th instant, the
four advanced fiigates, from the approach
Of two of the ensmy's line of battle ships,
from the Narraganset, were likewise de-
stroyed, after saving some of their stores,
and securing the landing al the seamen.
When it was evident The French fleet were
coming iuto The harbor, IL became necessn-
~ to collect our forces, aud withdraw our
,rcops from The north paris of the island,
which was accordingly done that evening.
] Likewise ordered all the cattle on the ISL
and to he driven within our lines, leaving
only one COW 18th each family, md every
carriage aud inlrenching tool Ia be secured,
as the onlv measures ihnt could he devised
to distress the rebels. and impede their pro-
gress.
On the Sh instant, at noon, the French
feet (Which from lis first appearance had
continued with little variation ut anchor ~
bout three miles from the mouth of the liar-
borl got uuder way, and standing in nuder
light sail, kept up warm fire on Bren-
tons Point, Cont Island, and the north bat
terriss, which were manned by seamen al
the destroyed frieates, aud cn,n randed by
Captaia Christian, Lirulenants Forrest ant
Oway, of The navy, who returned the CIR,
With great spirit, and in good direction
The last Of these works had been preyious.
" strengthened, and some transports sunk
in its front, as an effrctusl measure To block
upthe passage between it and Ihode-l-land
The mex, morning we had the pleasure
to see The English feet, and immediate
sent on board 10 communicate TO Lord How,
our situation, aud that of the enemy. d,
nine o'clock the following day, the Frencl
fleet repassed our batteries, and sailed ou
of the harbor, firing on them ms before, ant
having il returned with equal spirit on uu
side. BY this cannunade from the ships al
both days. very fortunately not one man wa
hurt, or any injury done, except to SOM
houses in town.
shall now proceed to inform your ES
cellency Of the movements Of the enep.
from the 9th instant. when they landed a
Howlsnd's ferry.
The badness Of tho weather for som
days must have prevented their transpor,ln
Of stores or being in readiness to appronc
us, as they did not make their appearance
sesr US all the l4,h, when large body too
vo,xs.'on Of Honymsn', Hill.