The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-11-14
NODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
I Z 1

Early in August the Count De Barras,
who commanded the French fleet lying at
Newport, informed General Washington, by
despatch, that Count De Grasse was to have
sailed from Cape francois for the Chesn-
peake Gu the Sd of August, with squadron
of about % sail of the line, with 5000 land
troops and several frigates.
On receipt of this information, Washing
ton made an expeditions arrangement lie
kept up the show of PREPARATION for the siege
of New York, by which he induced Sir
Henry Clinton to strengthen New York by
retaining large reinforcement then lately
arrived from England for the defence Of that
pIace-while Washington was sending his
best troops forward to Virginia, together
with the French troops from Il. Island of-
ter which he followed in person; while
Clinton continued ignorant Of his real de-
sign.
De Grusse arrived late in August in the
Chesapeake with force rs above rected,
and on the 25th Of August Count De Bar
ras sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake
also.
"a ships of the linc under command of
De Grass, lay at anchor Just within the
Capes, and 4 sail were detached with the
frgates TO block up the mouth Of York Riv-
er, within which Burgoin's army, and
quantity of British shipping were concen-
trated.
BY this time the English, at New York,
had discovered the probable plan of the
FrencIs and Aperican campaign, and hay
ing found that De Barrass had sailed from
Rhode Island, 10 ships Of the line were
despatched, under the command of Admir-
al Graves, from New York with the great
est possible expedition for the Chesapeake,
to intercept the french fleet. On the 9th OF
Sept. he arrived off the Chesapeake, and
discovered the French fleet of 2l sail of the
line lying within the Capes.
The French Admiral lost no time in get
ting underweigh and proceeded immediate
ly to sea, forming The line Of battle as they
advanced. The British fleet also formed in
line of battle, but as they were 5 ships less
than the French, they were not disposed TO
put every thing at stake by furious onset.
The headmost ships commenced the en-
gagement about o'clock in the afternoon,
which continued through more or less Of
the time until sunset, when neither could
claim victory. The two fleets kept in
sight for five successive days, repairing dam
ages and by a series of manGuvering en-
deayorng to gain advantages of each other
that might lead TO a decisive result. The
French had the weather gage aud might
have brought on close actlon-but as De
Grass had in view the capture Of Burgoine's
whole army, he chose to be prudent and
keep his fleet in condition to return to the
Chesapeake in aid of the American and
French armies. On returning to the Ches-
apeake, there he found the fleet from Rhode
Island, which had arrived during his ab-
sence, consisting of the whole squadron
from Newport (say about 10 ships of the
line, some frigates and II transports,) la
dened with heavy artillery aud military
stores, proper for carrying on the sige. Ad.
mral De Barras when he sailed from New
port took wide circuit, expecting thereby
to avoid the enemy, and had fortunately ar
rived safe, with his convoy as before stated
The English Admiral appeared soon af-
ter off the Capes, where they found the en-
trance of the bay defended by force with
which he was wholly unable TO contend
which induced him to bear away for New
York. to repair damages and wait further
contingencies.
CORVALLIS pressed on every side, by land
and water, was compelled to surrender,
which he did on the 9th Of October, l7cl
The shipping and all the men serv-
ipy IN them, surrendered TO Admiral DE
Grass, and The land army to General Wash
ington. Tie latter according to Marshall
were
"'The return Of prisoners contained two
generals, thiry-one field officers, three hun
dred tNeniy-siI captains aod subaIierns
seycnty-one regimental staff, SIX ihousanC
tiye hundred and tveuty-seyeu pon-com