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CHAP. IX. officers on board the fleet to have been the 1778. enemies of D'Estaing. He was properly a

land officer, and they were dissatisfied with his appointment to command them in the navy. They were, therefore, determined, as much as possible to thwart his measures; and to prevent, wherever it could be justified, his achieving any brilliant exploit which might redound to his reputation. In this temper, they availed, themselves of the letter of his instructions, and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish the enterprise, and sail for Boston. He could not venture, with such instructions, to act against their unanimous opinion; and although he seemed himself disposed to re-enter the harbour, yet, under their influence, he declined doing so, and sailed from the island.

On the return of Greene and La Fayette, Sullivan, who was chagrined beyond measure at the prospect of losing so fair an occasion to distinguish himself, and render service to his country, made yet another effort to retain the fleet. He addressed a second letter to the admiral, remonstrating against his withdrawing from the enterprise, and pressing him, in any event, to leave his land forces. Lieutenant colonel Laurens, the bearer of this letter, was also charged with a protest signed by all the general officers of the American army in Rhode Island, except Fayette, remonstrating against the measure in terms of great earnestness, and

reiterating, with some additions, the arguments CHAP. IX. which had already been urged by general 1778. Greene without effect. The fleet having sailed, a swift privateer was engaged to take colonel Laurens on board, and pursue it. He soon overtook the count, and delivered the dispatches. That officer was much displeased with the protest, and continued his voyage to Boston.

Thus abandoned by the fleet, Sullivan called the general officers of his army to consult them on the propriety of continuing the siege, of attempting the place by storm, or of retreating with the stores from the island.

He stated his actual force to consist of about nine thousand rank and file, including artillerists; and that a re-enforcement of about three thousand militia might be expected in a few days. The force of the enemy was estimated, according to the best computation he could make, at six thousand.

A disposition was at first manifested to attempt an assault, if five thousand volunteers who had seen nine months service, could be obtained for the enterprise; but the departure In conseof the fleet had so discouraged the militia, that departure of the requisite number could not be had; and, fleet, Sulli

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in a few days, the army was reduced by deser- Newport. tion to little more than five thousand men.

This produced a determination to raise the August 26.

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CHAP. IX. siege, and retire to the north end of the island, 1778. there to fortify and wait for events.

August 28.

August 29.

They were thus tenacious of the ground they had gained, in the hope that D'Estaing might yet return in time to accomplish the object for which the expedition had been undertaken. To prevail on him to do so, general Hancock and the marquis de La Fayette set out for Boston; the former to expedite the repairs of the vessels, and the latter to use the influence which his high rank and character gave *him with the admiral.

In the night, the camp before Newport was broken up in great silence, and the army retired unobserved towards the works on the north end of the island. The rear was covered by colonels Livingston and Laurens, who commanded light parties on both the east and west road.

Very carly in the morning, the retreat was discovered by the enemy, who immediately followed in two columns, and were engaged on each road, about seven o'clock in the morning, by Livingston, and Laurens, who were occasionally re-enforced, but were directed to retreat slowly, and in order, to the fortified camp now occupied by the army. These orders were executed with great judgment, and the action was kept up with skill and spirit until the enemy were brought into the neighbourhood of the main body of the Americans, who were drawn up in order of battle on the ground of their

encampment. The light troops were then CHAP. IX. directed to fall back. The British formed 1778. on Quaker hill, a very strong piece of ground, something more than a mile in front of the American line.

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Sullivan's rear was covered by strong works, and in his front somewhat to the right, was a redoubt. In this position the two armies cannonaded each other for some time, and several skirmishes continued to take place in front of both lines, until about two o'clock, when the enemy advanced in force, attempted to turn the right flank, and made demonstrations of an intention to dislodge general Greene, who commanded the right wing, from the redoubt in its front.

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Four regular regiments were moved forward Action to meet them, but these not being strong Shirts enough to check them, general Greene advanced army. with two other regiments of Continental troops, and Lovell's brigade of militia, and the action for a short time was very warm. Colonel Livingston's regiment was ordered by Sullivan to re-enforce the right, and after a very sharp engagement for about half an hour, the enemy gave way, and retreated to Quaker hill where they had first formed. The cannonade was renewed, and kept up with some slight skirmishes of small parties until night.

In the accounts given of this action both by Sullivan and Greene, the American troops are

CHAP. IX. said to have shown great firmness, and to have 1778. moved in the face of the enemy with the cool

August 30.

ness and regularity of veterans. Very particular praise was bestowed on colonel Livingston, and lieutenant colonel Laurens, especially on the latter. He was declared by Greene to have displayed, in an eminent degree, the talents of a partisan, and of a general. Colonel Jackson, lieutenant colonel Livingston, lieutenant colonel Fleury, and major Talbot, were also particularly mentioned.

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According to the return made by general Sullivan, his loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was two hundred and eleven. Among the slain, were four subaltern officers, and among the wounded, one captain, and eight subalterns. The loss of the enemy was supposed to be more considerable. The return of general Pigot, who, as usual in such cases, claimed the advantage, states it at two hundred and sixty.

The next day, a cannonade was kept up by both armies, but neither thought proper to attack the other. The British were waiting for a strong re-enforcement which they expected, and Sullivan had at length determined to withdraw his troops from the island.

Intelligence had been given some few days' before by the commander in chief, of several transports being in the Sound, and of a body of the enemy having passed over to Long Island.

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