The Siege Begins

August 14th. The storm ends. Americans begin new earthworks at Butts Hill marked with RED DIAMOND. Early morning the soldiers “examine their arms and renewed their cartridges.” (Cutler’s diary) Supplies had been damaged in the storm.

August 15th. At 6 AM the whole army proceeds to march toward Newport in three columns. Americans halt advance at between 4 and 5 PM within site of the British lines. American lines run from West Main Road to Green End in Middletown marked with a RED CIRCLE.

August 16th. Americans are building a four cannon battery north of Green End marked by RED CIRCLE. The British fire their cannons at them. A diary notes that Lafayette is camped at the Bowler Farm on Wapping Road marked by the RED STAR. 

August 17th. Lafayette is Major General for the day. Siege operations (marked by RED CIRCLE) are in full force. Lafayette oversees the siege works from the top of a house. The British attacked the house and Culter’s diary entry remarks: “Stood by the Marquis when a cannon ball just passed us. Was pleased
with his firmness..”

August 21. Lafayette, General Green and Col. Langdon go aboard the Languedoc marked with a BROWN CIRCLE. The French only agree to take American forces off of Aquidneck Island. Americans would not agree to that and the French fleet would sail away.

Woodcut by Howard Benson in Eric O.D. Taylor’s “The Campaign on Rhode Island.” Used with permission of Benson family.

Source: Life, Journals and Correspondence of Rev. Manassa Cutler. https://archive.org/details/lifejournalscorr01cutl