The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-09-05

Il UtcG OIutlS "SlC tAtSbAtu SiSo
judgment, aud the action was kept up Will
great skill and spirit until the enemy wer,
: brought into the neighborbood of the mair
body of the Americans, who were drawn uI
in order of battle on the ground of their en-
campment. The light troops were then di
rected to fall back The British formed OF
Quaker hill, a very strong piece Of ground
something more than mile in front of tn,
American line.
Sullivan's rear was covered by strong
works, and in his front, somewhat to tho
right, was n redoubt. In this position the
two armies cannonaded each other for some
time, and several skirnisEes continued tC
take place in front of both lines, until abou
two o'clock, when the enemy advanced it
force, attempted to turn the right flank, ana
made demonstrations of an intention to dis
| lodge general Greene, who commanded the
! right wing, from the redoubts in its front
| -Four regular regiments were moved for
ward TO meet them, but these not being
strong enough to check them, general
Greene advanced with two other regiments
of Continental troops, and Loyell's brigade
of militia, aud the action for short time
was very warm. Colonel Liyngston's reg
iment was ordered by Sullivan to re.enforce
the right, and after very sharp engage
ment for about half an hour, the enemy
gave way, and retrea,ed TO Quaker hill
where they had first formed. The cannon
ade was renewed, and kept up with some
slight skirmishes of snail parties until night
In the accounts given of this action both
by Sullivan and Greene. the American
troops are said to have shown great firm
ness, aud to have moved in the face of the
enemy with the Goodness and regularity of
veterans. Very particular praise was he
slowed on colonel Livingston, and lieuten-
AN, colonel Lnurcns, especially on the lat
ter. He was declared Ivy Greene to have
displayed, IN an eminent degree, the talents
of partisan, and Of n general. Colonel
Jackson, lieutenant colonel Livingston, lieu
tenant colonel Fleury, and major Talbot,
were also particularly mentioned.
According to the return by general Sui |
livan, his loss in killed, wounded, and mis-
sing, was two hundred and eleven. Among
the slain, were four subaltern officers, and
among ,he wounded, one captain, and eight
subalterns. The loss of the enemy was
supposed to be more considerable. The
return of general Pigol, who, as usual in
such cases, claimed the advantage, states it
at two bundled and sixty.
The next day, cannonade was kept up
by both armies, but neither thought proper
to attack the other. The British were watt
ing for strong reimbursement which they
expected, and Sullivan rad at length deter
mined to Withdraw his troops from the is
land.
Intelligence bad been given some few
days before by the commander in chief, Of
several transports being in the Sound, and
of body of the enemy having passed over
to Long Island. lie had at the same time
suggested to Sullivan, the necessity Of Sc
curing bis retreat from Rhode Island, should
such a measure become necessary. let
ter was now received, giving him certain in
formation that large body Of troops had
sailed, most probably, for the relief Of New
port; aud, without ordering him to retreat
to the continent, very decided opinion
was manifested that such a movement had .
become proper.
Very fortunately, the Reinforcement,
which consisted of four thousand men COM
manded by sir Henry Clinton in person,
was DELAYED by adverse winds, until the let
ter from general Washington giving notice
OF Its having sailed, was received. The |
resolution to cyacuate the island was imme- /
dIateIy formed.
Throughout the day, Sullivan, with CON-
siderable address, continued to take those
measures, by Strengthening his works, and
posting his troops, which were calculated
to produce al impression Of his being de-
termiDed to maintain his ground. About
six in the afternoon, his orders to prepare
for retreat were given, and his measures
were so judieiously taken, that his whole
army crossed over, aad had dlsembnrked on
the continent, about Tiverton, BY two o.
clock 10 the morning, without having crea-
ted in the enemy the slightest suspicion ;hat
he had contemplated the movement which
was now completed. The troops weIe sta :
toned along the coast fFom Tyeron to
Providence.
Never was retreat more fortunate. The