The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-08

Judith. Narragansett, WEXFORD, Green
wich, Apponaug and Pawtuxet on the
west with Providence at the head OF the
Bay. Besides this there were several other
small places where wharves had been
erected and where vessels could land and
unload In good weather.
The farmers furnished the supplies and
were entirely dependent on the vessels
for market To be, brief this colony was
as much and as fully dependent upon this
sea trade rs our state Is now dependent
on the cotton and wooden industry.
No men were more familiar or better
understood the bay as a harbor OF refuge
than our sailors and none saw better the
possibility OF "a blockade and it's scope for
success or not.
Massachusetts and Connecticut saw
this splendid bay between them and its
great Importance for supplies come 70
them from these sources In great quanti-
ties. Hence the militia OF these two coll
onies was under constant orders 20 sup
port Rhode Island whenever the Newport
garrison made demonstration and so well
were they watched that they never made
TO the mainland an expedition in force.
The forage parties were always more
anxious TO get back than to get out OF
the garrison
So close was the British garrison at
Newport watched that IL could be said 10
have been beseiged the whole time IL was
there.
A POPULAR IDEA.
IL has been a popular expression with
Fourth OF July orators and stump speak
ers. as well as editors and small military
and naval men 10 charge the British with
inactivity and indifference 20 the service.
Preachers have often said that God held
them back so they should be whipped by
His chosen ones.
All this I look upon as idle language
coupled with real and profound Ignorance
OF the real situation.
To assert such thing in the first place
Is 20 say that the British government
sent an army with incompetent leaders
and a navy likewise led TO aid Il.
No one need be military or naval ex-
pert 20 see this is absurd.
The fact was the army and navy was "A =
we'll commanded in America as any part
OF It's service elsewhere, at home or
abroad.
II will not do 10 measure disaster or
defeat with modern eyes. No criticism ia
In order until the true situation Is known
70 the critic. II must first be considered
that military and naval warfare has be-
come reVolutionized since this time. Con-
sider for a moment the present condition
or the Atlantic coast Count up the light
ships lighthouses, buoys. beacons and
stations first and then look the sur
veys OF the harbors and the depth OF the
water. Compare this with what was ac-
tually known In 1776.
THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
Another very important matter goes
with a knowledge of the sea along the
coast and the storms and wind at certain
points which must be learned.
IL Is plain that the English sailor was
badly handicapped for want OF this
knowledge, while our sailor. with this
knowledge, was gust So much stronger in
strategy.
The land commander was badly tied
with lack OF transportation and so badly
that IT held him to the garrison with the
whole country picketed and on the watch.
1t made many a foraging party sick who
went out OF town for fresh air. u was
this constant loss that reduced sadly and
tired out finally the government.
The priVateer. I'm many q iaring move.
captured valuable supplies, often so valu
able as TO supply the army with means
TO undertake n campaign with success.
As a critic. ! am convinced OHara's
position Is strong and had. a. he says, the
naval arm been given fresh movement
the result would have been Ierent. The
mistake i'm underestimaunE the naval
strength OF the colonies was ratal.
Speaking Of the privateery the British
called them troublesome fits and mos
quitoes. II Is true these winged insects
are small but they are able when united
I'm force to keep an admiral and a general
awake most Of the time and make their
sleeping uncomfortable.
GEN. BOURGOYNES MISTAKE.
Speaking OF military movements. this
was criticized by military men i'm Eng
land--that is-why did not Howe and Clin-
ton make a march into the enemy's camp
and attack them. Gen. Bourgoyne was
one Of these. Being a pleasing talker he
got the ear of the king and ministry and
declared he could march across the coun-
try. To silence him and his hackers the
friends OF Howe and Clinton agreed TO
let him do IL on the condition he Joined
Clinton and II successful TO proceed fur
Their
II - needless 10 say more than this
the Gate Of General Bourgoyne is history
II can be added with safety General
Bourgoyne. when a prisoner OF war with
his entire army, had n different opinion
OF Clinton's tactics than he first had
when he left England. Yes. even when he
left Quebec.
The British march across the Jerseys.
while not an entire capture was AT least
a march that severely crippled the ser
vice.
sThe question ~ transportation Of mll-
tary supplies was felt as severely by the
British forces as by our own. Yes. and
It can be finally said IL decided the war
Itself
II will no, do to belittle our enemy be-