The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-09-16
Of their frigatcs ashore and burned

hands OF the french. The British loss
altogether, SO far, comprised ships, car
lying 2I2 guns, the guns also being lost.
On the appearance OF the French the
British troops on Conanicut and other
localities were withdrawn. The agree
ment between Sullivan and d'Estaing,
who expected their landing would be
contested, was that Americans should
cross over from the mainland first and
the French from their ships next.
1t was afterwards decided, however,
to land on the island simultaneously.
Sullivan's force some days before the
battle comprised little over 10000
men, including the brigades of Varnum,
Glover, Cornell, Greene. Lowell and
Titcomb, Livingstone's advance and
Vests reserve. The encmys force at
this time consisted Of the ED, 3Sth, 42d,
43d and saith regiments, the Anspach
regiments Of Worth and Scaboth, the
Royal Artillery, the Hessian Chaseurs,
the Kings American Regiment Ooyal-
ists) and some other corps.
August, the French admiral, began
landing troops on Conanicut, while Sui
livan commenced moving his army over
from Tiverton to the north end of the
island, and took possession of the re-
doubts deserted by the enemy, threw up
additional ones, posted artillery and
gradually extended his lines toward
Newport. While the French troops
were landing on Conanicut a British
fleet under Lord Howe was deserted
approaching outside.
D'Estaing Immediately re-embarked
his troops, regardless OF his agreement
with Sullivan or the attack on Newport,
and went out to engage the approach
ing fleet. This sudden change greatly
mortified Sullivan and Lafayette, who
was also present. On the night OF Aug
ust IL great storm took place, both
fleets were scattered, ending in DIES
taing few days later sailing to Boston
for repairs.
In the meantime Sullivan's batteries
began playing upon the enemy and with
good result, the British, abandoning
some OF their works nearest the Amer
leans. Newport was defended by two
lines OF works, one being a quarter OF a
mile outside the other. Sullivan in
tended to carry the works by Storm but
was chagrined to find that so many OF
his volunteers had gone back to the
mainland as to reduce the American
force to little more than that of the
enemy.
Between 1000 and 1900 volunteers
had left in tho course of twcnty-four
hours under the supposition that moth
ing could be done before the return OF
the French fleet. Having sent some Of
his heavy baggage back to the main
land to be ready should it be found
necessary to retreat, Sullivan on the
evening OF August 28, moved back some
distance, and about two o'clock the next
morning cncamped on Butts and
neighboring hills Here it was de-
tcrmined to make a stand. Living
stone held the east road with his light
corps and Laurcns, Slourct and Talbot
the west
The next morning the enemy, think
ing the Americans were leaving the
island, sailed forth to attack them But
it was fatal mistake and cost the Brit
isf dear. Gen. Pigot sent the 42d and
43d British regiments and portions Of
the ED and 54th up the cast road while
the Hessian Chasseurs and another reg
iment moved along the west. At 2
a. M, they met the American advance
and the battle opened. Twice the Eng
llsh and Hcssians were repulsed, but
came on again only to be finally hurled
back in confusion by two battalions Of
Continentals. The battle lasted six or
eight hours.
The entire British column was at
length driven back into their works,
being repulsed at every point. The
British lost battery on their retreat
and suffered heavily in killed, wounded
and prisoners. The total American loss
was 211; that OF the British, including
prisoners, 1923.
On Su1livan's staff that day served
two OF his brothers, James and Eben,
and among the officers and men were
many others OF Irish blood. The early
part OF Sunday, Aug. 80, was devoted
to burying the dead In one spot on
the field, historian states, sixty British
dead were found; in another, thirty
Hessians we're buried in one grave. At
noon on the goth Sullivan received in
formation that Howe was on his way
from New York with 5000 men to the
relief of Newport. The Americans,
therefore, decided to retire and crossed
over to the mainland Sullvan's barge
was the last to leave the island.
The American force was now reduced
to $500, while the British, with the re-
inforcements which arrived in the fleet
next morning, numbered 1000. La
iaycttc declared Sullivan to have con-
Quoted the "bcst fought action OF the
war" Sullivan was also complimented
h1yf fI,o f1fo ~ I'll,