The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-22
RHODE-IsLAND REPUBLICAN,.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
177S.

The militia not arriving precisely at the
time they were expected, general Sullivan
could not hazard the attack, and stated TO
the count, the necessity ofpostponing IT yet
another day. Meanwhile, the preparations
for the descent being perceived by the ene-
my, the troops were recalled in the night
from the north end of the island into the
lines at Newport. This was not perceived
by general Sullivan until the next morning.
On discovering it, he at once determined 10
avail himself of TINT circumst auce, and take
immediate possession of the works which
had been abandoned. He wns induced to
do this from an apprehension that The Brit
ish might possibly return To them.
The whole army, in conformity with this
resolution crossed the east passage, and
Information Of this movement was immc-
diateIy given to the admiral, who highly re-
sented the indelicacy supposed 10 have been
committed by Sullivan in landing before
the French, and without consulting him.
Unfortunately, some previous difficul-
ties Oh subjects of mere punctilIio had been
created. The count D'Estaing was land,
as well as sea officer, and held the high
rank of lieutenan, general in the service of
France. Sullivan being only major gen
eTaI, it had been appAhended that the SER
vice might sustain some injury in conse-
quence of misundersy fndins on this deli
cate point, and gen$fsl Washington had
suggested to him the necessity of taking cv-
cry precaution to avoid it. This, it was
supposed, had been effected in their first
conference, at which time it was agreed
that the Americans should land first, after
which, the French should land, to be com
mandcd by the count D'Estaing in person.
The motives for this arrangement are not
stated, but, most probably, it was made in
consequence of the superior numbers of the
Americans, or on some other account, sole
ly with view to the promotion of the OBJ
ject at that time contemplated. Either his
own after reflections, or the suggestions of
others, dissatisfied the count with it, and he
insisted that the descent should be made on
both sides Of the island precisely at the same
instant, and that one wing of the American
army should be attached to the French, and
land with them. He also declined COM
mandng in person, and wished the marquis
de La Fayette to take charge of the French
lroops, as well as nf the Americans attach
ed to them.
This alteration of the plan, it was feared,
would endanger both parts, and, though not
without difficulty, D'Estaing was prevailed
on to consent that his demand should be
reduced from one wing of the American ar
my to one thousand militia. When after
wards, general Sullivan crossed over into
the island before the time to which he had
himself postponed the descent, and without
giving previous notice to the count of this
movement, some suspicious seem to have
been excited, that the measure was taken
with other views than those which we're as
signed and no inconsiderable degree of
i'll humor was manifested on the occasion.
He refused to answer Sullivan's letter, and
charged lieutenant colonel Fleury who de-
livered it, with being more of all American
than Frencbman, aud with preferrins the
interests aud honor of the former to those
of the latter.
A, this time, a British fleet appeared,
which, after sailing close into the land, and
communicating with general Pigot, with
drew some distance, and came to anchor
off point Judith, jus, without the narrow in
lie, leading into the harbor.
After it had been ascertalned that the
destination Of the count D'Estalng was A.
merica, be was followed BY squadron Of
twelve ships Of the line under the command
of admiral Byron, who was designed to
relieve lord Howe, that nobleman having
solicited his recall. The vessels composing
this squadron, meeting with weather unu-
sually bad for the season, and being separ-
ated IN differen, storms, arrived, after lin
gerlng through tedious passage, scattered
broken, sickly, dismasted, or otherwise da
msged, in various degrees Of distress, OF
different aud remote parts of the coast 0