The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-15
RuoDE-IsLaND REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsLAND.


For the progress Of the slege-the un-
fortunate misunderstanding between the
French Admiral and the American Gener-
al-the arrival of Lord iIow's squadron for
the. relief of the Garrison-the depart
ure of the French feet-the great August
storm-the return of the French fleet and
final failure of the whole enterprise, we
cannot do better than give literal extract
from Marshal's life Of Washington, which
is as follows:
"An expedition against Rhode-lsland
having now been decided on, the count, af-
ter standing soutLwardly as far as the mouth
of the Delaware, changed his course; and,
on the 25th of July, the whole fleet appear
ed of Newport, and cast anchor about five
miles from that place, just without Bren-
toms ledge.
Sir Henry Clinton soon after his arrival
a, New York, apPrehenslve for the safety
of The troops at Newport, had made consid
cradle detach,uents from his army TO re-eu-
force major general Pigot, who command
ed in Rhode-Island, aud the garrison now
amounted to about six thousand electives.
The main body lay in Newport, town sit
uaied on the west Of the isthmus which
connects the southern with the porthern,
and principal part of the island, and which
was defended by chain of redoubts stretch
ing almost across the island from east "a
west, on some high grounds north of the
town, and by batteries facing the water.
Some other works occupied bv small de-
tachmentS had been thrown up at the north
end of the island, to preven, a descent from
the adjacent continent; and three regiment,
were posted on Connanicut island, which
lies to the west of Newport.
The American army under general Sui
liyaa lay on the main, about the town Of
Providence.
There are three entrances to Rhodc-Is-
land. One to the east called Seaconnet, or
the eastern passage another on the west
Of the island between it and Connanicnt,
called the main channel; aud third on
the ives, Of Connauicut called the West or
Narraganset passage; this uuites with the
main channel at the north end Of Conani-
cut island. Each of these passages was
guarded 10y several small frigates, and gal
li9s, which were Immediately DESTROYED to
prevent their falling into the hands of the
French, who stationed some ships of war
both in the Seaconnet and Narraganset pas
sages, while they effectually blocked up the
main channel by anchoring at It's mouth
General Sullivan went on board the admir-
al soon after his arrival, and plan of OPP
erntions for tho allied forces was concerted
1t was proposed, in the first instance, to
seize Connanicut island, but this place was
Immediately evacuated by general Pigot,
who very judciously concentred his whole
force about Newport. Ii was then deter
mined that the allied arms should be direc-
ted, rs soon as possible, against that town.
According TO the plan Of attack which had
been concerted, the fleet was to enter the
harbor, and land the troops of his christian
majesty on the west side of the island, lit
tic to the north of Dyer's island. The A
mercans were to land at the same time on
the opposite coast, under cover of the guns
Of frgate. Thus they would be within
the works which had been erected on the
north end Of the island for the purpose Of
preventing descent from the continent.
With those works it was not designed to
intermeddle, because the troops stationed in
them would fall of course, If the main body
should be subdued.
To be in readiness for the execution Of
this plan, general Greene marched de-
tachmert Of Continental aud slate troops
with some militia to Tyeron, which lies
on the cast side Of the East channel.
Although the appearance Of the French
feet had animated the whole country, and
inspired very generally the hope of speedily
terminating the arduous aud distressing
sonhict, by the total destruction Of the Brit
ish forces in America although even be
fore the receipt Of the letters from genera
Washington directing immediate prepara
ions for the expedition against Rhode l.
and, which ~ gii eventually take plac,