The Occupation of Aquidneck Island dragged on for almost two years when a plan was devised to work with French allies in pushing the British out of the island. On May 4, 1778 Congress ratified a treaty of alliance with France. The Rhode Island Campaign was devised as a wedge action. The Americans, under the leadership of John Sullivan, would cross from Tiverton to Portsmouth and drive south to set up a siege of Newport. Meanwhile the French, led by d’Estaing, would arrive by sea and attack the British from the sea.

General Greene
Siege of Newport

Timeline for the Campaign


July 22, 1778, Washington informs Sullivan that the French fleet is headed to Newport, and he directs Sullivan to increase the size of his militia forces from 5000 to 7500.


July 27, 1778, Washington dispatches two Continental Army divisions under General Nathanael Greene and General Lafayette to Rhode Island.


July 29, 1778, French ships arrive at Narragansett Bay.

August 1, 1778, General Sullivan and Admiral d’Estaing meet, agree on simultaneous attacks on the Island on August 8.

August 6, 1778, Due to late arriving militia, Sullivan informs d’Estaing of postponement of the attack until August 10. A British Fleet under Admiral Sir Richard Howe leaves New York for Newport.

August 7-8, 1778, d’Estaing enters Narragansett Bay, causing British to withdraw from north end of the Island into prepared positions along the Newport-Middletown border.

August 9, 1778, Realizing the British had withdrawn south, Sullivan moves his forces onto the Island.
D’Estaing is alerted to the imminent arrival of Howe’s fleet.

August 10, 1778, French head out to sea. Both French and British fleets maneuver for advantage, but before they can engage, both fleets are scattered and damaged by a hurricane. Both leave for port and repairs.

August 11, 1778, General Sullivan prepares to invest British positions, but the hurricane causes him to delay.

August 15, 1778, Americans open the Siege of Newport.

August 20, 1778, d’Estaing’s battered ships return to Narragansett Bay. D’Estaing informs Sullivan he must immediately leave for Boston for repairs.

August 21, 1778, French fleet sails for Boston.

August 28, 1778, American council of war decides to withdraw Patriot forces from Rhode (Aquidneck) Island

August 29, 1778, Battle of Rhode Island is fought as Americans retreat northward.

August 30-31, 1778, overnight Sullivan’s army withdraws across the Sakonnet Straight to Tiverton with all its equipment.