Bristol in the American Revolutionary War
Discover Bristol, Rhode Island’s vital role in the American Revolution, including the 1778 British raid and the roots of the nation’s oldest Fourth of July celebration.
Butts Hill Fort Leads Off Portsmouth 250th Celebrations
Butts Hill Fort came to life on the first weekend in May 2025 as we collaborated with the Brigade of the American Revolution (BAR) to bring together reenactment regiments from six states to form an authentic living history encampment.
Historic Lafayette House in Tiverton Demolished
In a shocking turn of events, the historic Abraham Brown House, also known as the Lafayette House, was demolished on December 18, 2024, in Tiverton, RI.
British Casualties in the Battle of Rhode Island
Amid the chaos of battle, soldiers faced wounds, loss, and survival, shaping their fates for years to come.
Digging in: Information from Robert Selig’s work on the French at Butts Hill
BoRIA sponsored valuable research on the construction of Butts Hill Fort by Robert Selig and John K. Robertson.
Preparing for a Visit of Rochambeau to Butt’s Hill
In a letter dated August 2, 1780, from Newport, Lafayette wrote to American General William Heath about how to prepare for Rochambeau’s visit.
The Settlement of Prudence Island And its Abandonment During the Revolutionary War
This paper is an account of the settlement of Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay, RI, prior to, and including its abandonment during the War for Independence.
Rochambeau’s Engineers at Butts Hill Fort July 1780 – June 1781
Butts Hill Fort was built early in the American War of Independence to protect the northern approaches to Newport, Rhode Island. Within days of his arrival in July 1780, the comte de Rochambeau sent his engineers to supervise and assist American forces in rebuilding and strengthening the fort.
Highlights of the Timeline of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
Highlights from a timeline covering the formation and service of the racially diverse 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolution by historian Robert Geake.
Siege of Newport
Historians differ on when to mark the beginning of the Siege, but I am using August 9th, 1778, as the start of the Siege. This is the date the Americans transported their soldiers by ferry from Tiverton to Aquidneck Island and set up camp in Portsmouth. We tend to focus on the battle, but the siege portion of the Rhode Island Campaign includes the dates of August 9th to August 28th when the American leaders decide to execute a planned retreat. This retreat marked the end of the Campaign.
