The Rhode Island Campaign

by Christian M. McBurney
Category: "U.S. History - Military"
Pages:230
Year of Publication:2011
Date Added:12/15/2014
Date Read:06/02/2026
Notes:Subtitle: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War

In December, 1776, the British occupied Newport, Rhode Island, in the face of minimal resistance. In July, 1778, a French large naval force under d'Estaing arrived and planned with General Sullivan of the Continental Army to attack the British. Sullivan gathered a force of soldiers and militia and crossed over to the island, but before the attack could occur British Admiral Howe arrived with a large fleet not quite as large as the French fleet. d'Estaing set sail in pursuit, but before they could fight, a hurricane whipped through the fleets, severely damaging many of ships. d'Estaing, instead of returning to Rhode Island to resume the offensive, took his ships to Boston for refitting. British commander Pigot attempted to destroy Sullivan's army before they could get off the island, but Sullivan, aided by Nathanael Greene, stood firm and drove the British back to Newport. The Americans had fewer casualties that the British, but left the island after the battle. It's generally considered a draw, but is significant because it proved that the American army had greatly improved and was now a match for British and Hessian troops.
My Rating: 7

Reviews for The Rhode Island Campaign

Review - Rhode Island Campaign, The

Well written. Rhode Island was the seventeenth (of 1,331 total) largest Revolutionary War battle based on number of casualties. But it accomplished nothing except to kill and injure a bunch of people. The book's subtitle, The First French and American Operation, cracks me up because the French basically abandoned the Americans to make a futile pursuit of the British, then ran and hid in Boston.

Reviewed by Roger on 2026-06-02 14:10:40

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