The BoRIA Post
The official newsletter of the Battle of Rhode Island Association featuring news, events and Rhode Island history. Learn more at www.battleofrhodeisland.org.
March 2025 Edition
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On April 1, 2024, 401Gives once again made Rhode Island history by raising over $3.8 MILLION for 597 local nonprofits from over 16,000 donors.
Powered by the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of Rhode Island, 401Gives brings people together to make a difference for local nonprofits that deliver vital services to our communities throughout the state. 401Gives unites and offers everyone a safe, comfortable, and familiar virtual fundraising experience all while giving nonprofits unrestricted funds that strengthen Rhode Island.
The Battle of Rhode Island Association is participating in this years 401 Gives. BoRIA donations on the 2025 Drive will go towards Butts Hill Fort restoration efforts. If you would like to donate, please click here.
By Don N. Hagist
When the Battle of Rhode Island began early in the morning of August 29, 1778, the British garrison in Newport consisted of just over 5,000 soldiers fit for duty – 1,800 in British regiments, almost 2,400 in German regiments (often referred to as Hessians), 650 in Loyalist corps, and 300 sailors and militia serving on shore. Of these, all of the British, 2,000 of the German, and almost 600 of the Loyalists were engaged in the battle, although some only in the later stages.
Preliminary Results of Dr. Robert Selig’s Research in France on Rochambeau’s Engineers Building Butts Hill Fort
In a seven-page letter of 4 September 1780, about six weeks after his arrival in Newport, Captain of Engineers François-Ignace Ervoil d’Oyré described to the comte de Chastellux, (brother of the chevalier de Chastellux who served under Rochambeau in America at the time) the fortifications around Newport in Rhode Island, incl. the earthworks on Butts Hill. Before he began his description of the forts and earthworks, he asked Chastellux to pull out either an English map of Rhode Island or that printed by George Louis Le Rouge in Paris in 1778 since that would allow him to locate the forts Oyre was describing.
From February 3 to 7, 2025, Dr. Selig conducted research at the French Military Archives in Vincennes and the Archives Nationales in Paris. His focus was on finding maps and descriptions of Butts Hill Fort by French engineers in the Comte de Rochambeau’s army upon their arrival in Rhode Island in July,1780. He also sought descriptions of any changes or improvements made under French direction before their departure in June 1781. This research was funded by a grant from the Whalley Foundation.
To maximize his findings, he pre-ordered 12 sets of manuscripts and maps from both archives. The Military Archives allow access to only three files per day. He also photographed maps from Atlas A 224 and 1 VM 209, 1 VN7 (Guerre d’amérique) in the Military Archives.
Among the manuscripts, two stand out for their significance in reconstructing Fort Butts Hill. One is a description of the fort from around December 1780, included in a report by French Chief Engineer Desandrouins to France, found within Atlas A 224. The other is a letter by French engineer Oyré dated September 4, 1780, located in Dossier M//1021 at the Archives Nationales. This dossier contains about three dozen letters from the American War, which will require further analysis before transcription and translation can be completed over the next few months.
In a seven-page letter of 4 September 1780, about six weeks after his arrival in Newport, Captain of Engineers François-Ignace Ervoil d’Oyré described to the comte de Chastellux, (brother of the chevalier de Chastellux who served under Rochambeau in America at the time) the fortifications around Newport in Rhode Island, incl. the earthworks on Butts Hill. Before he began his description of the forts and earthworks, he asked Chastellux to pull out either an English map of Rhode Island or that printed by George Louis Le Rouge in Paris in 1778 since that would allow him to locate the forts Oyre was describing.
Dr. Selig’s expertise on Rochambeau is well established, his original article written for BoRIA can be found here. This recent research in France represents a significant contribution to our understanding of Butts Hill Fort’s role during the Revolutionary War and the French contribution to its development.
“Brave Men as Ever Fought” Painting on View at Rhode Island State House
Rhode Island officials recently gathered to commemorate the First Rhode Island Regiment at a portrait presentation ceremony. Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, who chairs the RI250 Commission, was joined by Governor Dan McKee and numerous state representatives and senators. “The history of the First Rhode Island Regiment is uniquely significant to Rhode Island,” Secretary Amore emphasized. “All Rhode Islanders should be aware of the courageous individuals who served in the first integrated military regiment. It is a true honor to display this portrait. I extend my gratitude to the Museum of the American Revolution for their collaboration and to the historians present today for ensuring this history remains remembered.” (WhatsUpNewport, March 4, 2025)
The portrait, commissioned by the Museum of the American Revolution in 2020, was created by renowned historical military artist Don Troiani. It depicts the Rhode Island Regiment’s march through Philadelphia in 1781, featuring 15-year-old African American sailor James Forten watching as the Regiment passes by the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). Forten later became a successful entrepreneur, abolitionist, and community leader.
The portrait is on loan from the Museum of the American Revolution to the Rhode Island Department of State, thanks to funding from the National Park Service’s Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. It will be displayed at the State House Royal Charter Museum on the first floor until late June.
BHFRC to Take Part in American Battlefield Trust's Park Day on April 26th
Portsmouth, RI. The Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee (BHFRC) is inviting volunteers to our annual Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 26th. Cleanup starts at 9 AM and goes on until 1 pm. Come anytime. The meeting point is on Southern Battery Green closest to the Portsmouth High School’s tennis courts lot and the upper wind turbine lot. Participants are asked to park along Dyer Street or at the Portsmouth High School Tennis Courts.
We are teaming up with the American Battlefield Trust on their 29th annual Park Day Event. According to their website: “Each year, thousands of history enthusiasts, community-minded citizens, families, Boy and Girl Scouts, ROTC units and more come together in an effort to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but pristine. Park Day allows the American Battlefield Trust to cast a spotlight on beloved American landscapes nationwide. Projects will keep historic sites and battlefields clean, open and accessible for the enjoyment of all.”
This will be a general cleanup of the parade grounds, pathways and open spaces. Every participant will need to sign a town liability form upon arrival. BHFRC staff will be on hand throughout the day, so if you join in progress, please sign in with a team member. Participants are asked to bring gloves, protective eye gear, loppers, shears, weed whackers, and rakes. Please RSVP to publicrelations@
FreshMaps Update: Women’s History Month & Upcoming Events
Though their stories may be considered insignificant for the history textbooks, rest assured that colonial women in the American Revolution era were not mere bystanders to the activities. Local Rhode Island “Daughters of Liberty” hosted spinning parties to boycott British goods in protest of the Stamp Act. According to Gloria Schmidt in her article Revolutionary Women: The Daughters of Liberty Spin Their Protest “The women hoped that if Americans boycotted English goods that British merchants would pressure Parliament to repeal the Act. Colonial women had the responsibility of purchasing and making goods their families needed. They were willing to make the sacrifices needed to make a political statement. It gave women a voice at a time when they couldn’t hold public office.” Women not only ran the family in their soldiers’ absence, but many also ran the farms and businesses, oftentimes defending against troops passing through town. They fed and clothed the troops, and some women even served as spies!
These women are not forgotten in the storytelling videos in FreshMaps’ Revolutionary RI History Hunts. In Bristol, hear how Mrs. Woodbury uses fresh milk to douse British flames and save her home from destruction. In Coventry, learn how Gen. Nathanael Greene’s wife Catharine is credited by George Washington himself in boosting officer morale at Valley Forge, by her cheerful nature (coming soon).
In April, FreshMaps is hosting a series of events during school vacation week, including our newest Revolutionary RI History Hunts in Bristol and East Greenwich. Join us!
Click here for more info on Freshmaps History Hunt in April.
Brigade of the American Revolution Living History Event at Butts Hill Fort
Join the Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee (BHFRC) and the Brigade of the American Revolution (BAR) as they collaborate for a living history encampment on May 3rd and May 4th at Butts Hill Fort. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this is a unique opportunity to see how the participants of those historic events looked, trained and united to take on a suffocating foe.
The Brigade will load in on Friday. It’s open to the public Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM, there will be lectures, cannon and tactical weapon demonstrations, mock skirmishes and more. Each day brings a unique opportunity to see what things were like and learn how things happened.
The Brigade of the American Revolution was founded with the mission to educate the public and its members about the American Revolution and the Colonial Period. Throughout the years, the Brigade has grown into a national organization with over a thousand members. By putting on spectacular events that feature educational programs and are jam-packed with authentic action, the Brigade is proud to be a leader in the Living History Community!
Visit the Brigade of the American Revolution online here.
Parking will be available at the Portsmouth High School Tennis Courts. There is No Parking on Butts St.
250th Commemoration of the British Attacks on Bristol
The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and the Bristol 250 Commission have joined forces to sponsor a weekend of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of two Revolutionary-era incidents that occurred in Bristol, known collectively as the Bristol Raids. We invite the public to join us for a weekend of re-enactments, tours and festivities. These events will take place on May 16 through May 18, 2025, in Bristol, RI. Detailed information and updates can be found here.
The weekend will be anchored by the arrival of the tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry, which will dock at the Herreshoff Marine Museum and will be open for public tours on Saturday and Sunday. The tours cost $10/person and will be available on a first come/ first served basis (no advance tickets will be sold). Visitors can also enjoy other activities on the Herreshoff dock during these hours, including event-related crafts and other scientific demonstrations.
We are delighted to announce that participants will have the opportunity to sail on the Oliver Hazard Perry as it arrives in Bristol.
On Saturday May 17, at 10 am, we will host the first of two full scale re-enactments of the Bristol Raids. The public is invited to join us as members of the United Train of Artillery, the Kingston Reds, the HM Tenth Regiment of Foot in America, the 54th Regiment of Foot, the 2nd RI Regiment, and the Bristol Train of Artillery re-enact the Bombardment of Bristol at the Herreshoff Marine Museum dock, using the Oliver Hazard Perry as a stand-in for the British ships. This event is free and open to the public.
On Saturday May 17 at 1 pm, we invite the public to join our second re-enactment, as members of the United Train of Artillery, the Kingston Reds, the HM Tenth Regiment of Foot in America, the 54th Regiment of Foot, the 2nd RI Regiment, and the Bristol Train of Artillery portray the Burning of Bristol. The re-enactment teams will start “burning houses” at Guiteras Field, located at the intersection of Hope St. and Washington St. They will move south along Thames St. to Independence Park, where they will re-enact a skirmish between British and Patriot forces. After the skirmish ends, the Patriots will pursue the British south along Thames St. to Rockwell Park. This event is also free and open to the public.
BH&PS Executive Director Catherine W. Zipf: “We are so excited to bring Bristol’s history literally to life. One of the best ways to learn history is through live action. We hope people will feel the impact these events had on Bristol and come to understand their importance in the overall course of the American Revolution.” In addition to these events, visitors will have other opportunities to engage with this history. Advanced tickets for most of these events can be purchased at www.
Efforts to Reveal and Preserve Revolutionary War History:
Archaeological Survey at Butts Hill Fort (Phase 1), Portsmouth
Last summer, a team of 12 undergraduate and graduate students from Stonehill College, Salve Regina University, and the University of Kentucky, led by Dr. Alexandra Uhl, conducted an archaeological survey at Butts Hill Fort. Despite challenges like poison ivy and heat, their work was crucial for uncovering the fort’s history. The Battle of Rhode Island, though significant, is often overlooked in historical narratives. Most students know of Paul Revere but not that he was at Butts Hill Fort before the Battle.
When Dr. Uhl first visited the site with PAL Senior Archaeologist Jay Waller a few years ago, the fort was overgrown, and one had to know what they were looking at. However, vegetation clearing by the Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee are transforming it into a vibrant historical landmark. The fort now hosts community events and offers cleared pathways and a battlefield vista for visitors.
This transformation enabled the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR), a non-invasive technique that scans beneath the earth to reveal historical features without destructive excavation. Using state-of-the-art GPR from the University of Kentucky’s Educe Lab, students spent five weeks gathering data to locate foundations and other disturbances.
This project provided hands-on experience in skills applicable across engineering and museum studies. Thanks to a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation (vBCF), students were paid for their work, and funding supported diverse students, including indigenous students.
Preliminary findings were presented at the 2024 Eastern States Archaeology Conference. The team located the barracks’ foundation and identified original archaeologic excavation trenches from the 1970s. Combining GPR data with historical maps confirmed the barracks’ location and dimensions.
Students will return this summer for further research, funded by a second vBCF grant. They plan to create a virtual museum using 3D scanning, allowing visitors to view artifacts like musket balls from the battle on loan from the Varnum Armory, Portsmouth Historical Society, and Portsmouth residents. This virtual exhibit will complement physical visits to the fort, enhancing the historical experience for visitors.
Dr. Uhl is an Adjunct Professor at Stonehill College, MA and BoRIA Advisor for Archaeology.
On Wednesday, February 19th, the BoRIA’s Lecture Series sponsored by a grant from the RI State Legislature (Senator Linda Ujifusa) along with our partners at the Portsmouth Historical Society, the Middle Passage Port Marker Project, Rhode Island Slave History Medallions (RISHM) and NAACP Newport presented a lecture from historian John Dower in honor of Black History Month. Titled “The 1st Rhode Island Regiment of 1778: What was the so-called Black Regiment and what did they do at the Battle of Rhode Island?”
Filmed by David Breton; Graphics added by Paul Martins & Crystal Ship Productions.
2025 Seminar Series: “The Underwritten of the American Revolution”
The Varnum House, FreshMaps, RI 250 Commission, and the BoRIA are collaborating with historian Robert Geake to present a new seminar series titled “The Underwritten of the American Revolution.” This multi-year initiative aims to shed light on lesser-known stories from Rhode Island’s involvement in the Revolutionary War. The inaugural seminar is scheduled for June 28th, 2025 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The event promises to be a rich educational experience, featuring a panel of invited speakers who will share their expertise on overlooked aspects of Rhode Island’s Revolutionary War history. In addition to the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in guided tours and visit local museums, offering a comprehensive immersion into one of the state’s historical narratives.
This first seminar will feature keynote speakers Christian McBurney and Dr. Shirley Green, with additional talks by Norman Desmarais and Robert Geake. This series represents a significant effort to broaden public understanding of Rhode Island’s complex role in the American Revolution, bringing to light stories that have often been overshadowed in traditional historical accounts.
April 5th: Major General Nathanael Greene Homestead Opening Day, Coventry, 10 AM
April 26th: BHFRC & American Battlefield Trust Park Day Clean Up at Butts Hill Fort 10 AM
May 2nd-4th: Brigades of the American Revolution Living History Weekend, Butts Hill Fort, 10 AM
May 3rd: Opening Day, Smith’s Castle, North Kingstown, 11 AM
May 31st: Battle of Fall River 250th Reenactment, Heritage Park, 10 AM
June 1st: Battle of Fall River 250th Reenactment, Heritage Park, 10 AM
by Bob Cembrola
After years of oppressive British policies which stifled commerce in Narragansett Bay and surrounding communities, the Colony of R.I. and Providence Plantations renounced allegiance to the Crown on May 4, 1776: “Whereas George the third, forgetting his dignity, instead of protecting, is endeavoring to destroy the good people of this colony by sending fleets and armies to America to confiscate our property and spread fire, sword and desolation throughout our country!” With this the die was cast and any possibility of reconciliation with the British was destroyed.
On December 7, 1776, the British responded to this rebellious act by sending a large naval fleet and thousands of soldiers to Newport. This force managed to land without any significant resistance, much to the surprise of the invaders. Not only did this largely negate R.I.’s small navy, who were forced into the safety of Providence waters, it gave the British control of Narragansett Bay. According to Royal Navy Admiral Rodney the Bay was “the best and noblest harbor in America, capable of containing the whole Navy of Britain and was a 48 hour sail from Boston, New York and Philadelphia.” This occupation put a chokehold on commerce and caused great damage to many buildings on Aquidneck Island and communities surrounding the bay.
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Did You Know?
Tiverton, RI was very active during the Revolutionary War
1. Strategic Location: Tiverton’s position on the eastern shore of the Sakonnet Passage made it strategically important for controlling access to RI waters.
2. Patriot Stronghold: Tiverton remained under Patriot control throughout the war, unlike nearby Newport and Aquidneck Island which were occupied by the British.
3. Staging Ground: The town served as a staging area for the Continental Army during the 1778 RI Campaign and Battle of RI. The force included units of the Continental Army and militia from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. General John Sullivan commanded the operation, with support from French naval forces under Admiral d’Estaing.
4. Fort Barton: A small fort was constructed in Tiverton Heights, named after Lt. Col. William Barton, who led the raid to capture British General Prescott. This fort served as a lookout and defensive position for troops stationed in the area.
5. Howland Ferry: This important ferry crossing between Tiverton and Portsmouth played a crucial role in troop movements and communications. The narrow passage at Stone Bridge (then called Howland’s Ferry) was a key crossing point and was fortified during the war. The town served as part of an important supply route for getting provisions to Continental forces on Aquidneck Island during the Rhode Island Campaign.
6. Coggeshall Farm: This historic farm in Tiverton’s Four Corners supplied food to Continental troops during the war.
7. Raid on Fall River: In May 1778, British forces conducted a raid from their positions in Newport, attacking Fall River (then part of Tiverton) and destroying several mills and homes.
8. Marquis de Lafayette: Stayed at the historic Abraham Brown House, during the RI Campaign in 1778. Also known as the Lafayette House, it was demolished in December 2024.
9. Privateering: Some Tiverton residents engaged in privateering, using small boats to harass British shipping in Narragansett Bay.
10. Sakonnet Passage Defenses: Continental forces constructed a series of small fortifications along the Sakonnet River to prevent British naval incursions.
11. Quaker Influence: Tiverton’s significant Quaker population faced challenges during the war due to their pacifist beliefs, with some facing persecution for refusing military service.
These facts highlight Tiverton’s strategic importance and the various ways the town and its residents were involved in the Revolutionary War effort.
