Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: General Washington assigned Arnold to the defense of Rhode Island following the British seizure of Newport in December 1776 , where the militia were too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British .
Simplified: General Washington sent Arnold to the defend Rhode Island after the British seized Newport in December 1776 , where the militia was too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British .