Battle of Rhode Island Site facts for kids
The Battle of Rhode Island Site is a special place where a big battle happened during the American Revolutionary War. This battle, called the Battle of Rhode Island, took place on August 29, 1778. It was fought in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, which is on Aquidneck Island. This was the only major battle of the war that happened in Rhode Island.
It was also important because it was the only battle where a group of African-American soldiers fought together in their own unit. This unit was called the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. They were made up of African-American soldiers from the area, led by white officers. The main parts of this battlefield were made a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
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Battle of Rhode Island Site
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Patriot's Park, memorial off RI 114 to Rhode Island militiamen slain in battle
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| Location | Lehigh Hill and both sides of RI 24 between Hedley and Dexter Sts., Portsmouth, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 365 acres (148 ha) (main battlefield) 34 acres (14 ha) (Fort Butts and Butts Hill) |
| Built | 1778 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002054 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
Contents
The Story of the Battle
In December 1776, British soldiers took control of Newport, Rhode Island. Then, France decided to join the war to help the United States. This happened after important American victories in the Battles of Saratoga in 1777. Both the French and American armies wanted to work together to defeat the British.
Their first big plan was in July 1778. A French fleet, which is a group of warships, arrived. It was led by the Comte d'Estaing. They first planned to block a bay in Delaware. But d'Estaing changed his mind and aimed for New York City. He learned that the British had left Philadelphia.
However, the water at the entrance to New York Harbor was too shallow. The biggest French ships could not get in safely. So, French and American leaders decided to attack the British in Newport instead.
Preparing for Battle
American soldiers from the Continental Army were sent to Rhode Island. Also, local volunteer soldiers, called militia, came from nearby states to help. A big storm hit just as the French and British fleets were about to fight. The storm scattered both groups of ships.
By this time, American forces were already on the northern part of Aquidneck Island. This island was called Rhode Island back then. Major General John Sullivan led the American forces. The French fleet left on August 22 to go to Boston for repairs. Meanwhile, Sullivan started to prepare for a siege against Newport. A siege is when an army surrounds a place to try and capture it.
The Battle Begins
When the French ships left, many of the American militia soldiers also went home. News also arrived that the British were sending more soldiers from New York. Because of this, General Sullivan decided to pull his troops back from Aquidneck Island.
The British commander in Newport, Major General Robert Pigot, led his soldiers out to chase the Americans. They met on August 29 in the Battle of Rhode Island. The battle did not have a clear winner. The British could not defeat the American forces. The Americans continued their organized retreat from the island.
The Battlefield Today
The main area where the battle was fought is a valley. It has Lehigh Hill to the north and Turkey and Almy Hills to the south. This area is about 365 acres (148 hectares). Today, not many people live there. There were no buildings there during the battle.
Turkey Hill was a main target for the British. Lehigh Hill was an important part of the American defense line. A place called Barker Brook saw very intense fighting. Today, much of it is covered by Rhode Island Route 24.
Butts Hill Fort
Another important place is Butts Hill. It is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) northeast of the main battle area. This hill was fortified with earthworks, which are walls made of earth. It was used as a command center and a backup defense spot for the Americans. The earthworks are still in good shape today. They are roughly oval, about 500 feet (152 meters) long and 250 feet (76 meters) wide.
African-American Soldiers in the Battle
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was formed in early 1778. It was a special unit made up only of African-American soldiers. This helped Rhode Island meet its need for soldiers in the Continental Army.
This unit joined General Sullivan's army in Providence in July 1778. They helped take control of Aquidneck Island. During the battle, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was placed on Turkey Hill. This was on the far right side of the American front line.
The British attacked Turkey Hill three times. Each time, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment pushed them back. The unit had very few casualties, with only one soldier killed and ten wounded. This was despite the fierce fighting. This is partly because Turkey Hill was a very strong defensive position.
In June 1778, the Rhode Island government stopped allowing African Americans to join the army. Over time, the unit lost soldiers from fighting and other reasons. White soldiers then joined the unit to fill the empty spots. In January 1780, Rhode Island's two regiments joined together. This made them an integrated unit for the rest of the war.
Legacy of the Site
The battleground and the fort at Butts Hill were named National Historic Landmarks in 1974. They were also added to the National Register of Historic Places. The main battle site is located around these coordinates: 41.596, -71.263. Butts Hill (41.615506, -71.250815) is also protected. It is one of the highest points on Aquidneck Island.
Images for kids
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Battle of Rhode Island Site Plaque
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Map of Battle Site
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A French military map prepared for the Marquis de Lafayette showing American troop positions on August 30, 1778, after the Battle of Rhode Island
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Center of the earthworks at Butts Hill
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Battle of Rhode Island from a 1779 print
