Learn: The Siege of Newport

When the American troops crossed over to Aquidneck Island in August of 1778, they were hoping to trap the British forces that had control of Aquidneck Island for almost two years. The hope for this “The Rhode Island Campaign” effort with our new French ally was to wedge the British garrison in Newport between the French fleet coming from the west and the American soldiers coming from Tiverton in the east to the northern part of the island and then marching south towards Newport. The goal of the Siege of Newport was to force the surrender of the British troops.

Portsmouth, RI – August 10,1778

The Orderly Book for the 1st RI Regiment gives us an idea of what was happening at Butts Hill as the Americans set up camp.

Americans Gather at Tiverton

The Tiverton redoubt was the gathering place for the troops who would go to Rhode Island in hopes of ending the British Occupation.

Emergence of The French Alliance: The Beginning and Final Phases

It’s widely acknowledged that the military alliance between the United States and France was responsible for the end of the Revolutionary War.

Introduction

The plan was simple in concept. The Americans would assemble a militia to cross from the mainland to the north end of Rhode Island.