Topic summary
Battle of Rhode Island
Great Britain
Hesse-Kassel
United States
Kingdom of FranceFrancis Smith
Richard Prescott
Friedrich von Lossberg
Nathanael Greene
Christopher Greene
Count of Estaing
210 wounded
12 missing
137 wounded
44 missing
The Battle of Rhode Island (or Battle of Quaker Hill) took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces commanded by Major-General John Sullivan had been on Aquidneck Island besieging British forces occupying Newport, Rhode Island. They chose to lift the siege and planned to withdraw to the northern part of Aquidneck Island. The British then sortied, supported by recently arrived Royal Navy ships, and attacked the retreating Americans. The battle ended inconclusively, but Continental forces then chose to withdraw further to the mainland, leaving Aquidneck Island including Newport in British hands. The soldiers in combat were about 4,875 in the American army and 2,950 in the British army, for a total of 7,825 making it the largest battle in New England based on numbers.
The battle was the first attempt at cooperation between French and American forces following France's entry into the war. Joint operations against Newport were planned, but frustrated by difficult relations between the commanders and a storm that damaged both the French and British fleets shortly before joint operations were to begin. The battle was also notable for the participation of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, whose troops were predominantly Black, under the command of Colonel Christopher Greene.