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Decision Points – Battle of Rhode Island

August 2, 2025

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Christian McBurney’s book on the Battle Rhode Island Campaign provides me with a step by step breakdown of the action, but I still need to digest it slowly. While I work on a tabletop role playing activity centered around the Battle of Rhode Island, I am trying to draw out the points in the battle where decisions had to be made. These are some of the decision points I may include in the role playing.

August 28

  1. Once the Americans knew the French would not be returning, Sullivan’s council of war had to make a decision on whether to continue their Siege or Retreat.
  2. Once the decision was made to retreat – Sullivan had to devise a strategy for that retreat.

August 29

  1. In making a decision to retreat, how did the geography of Portsmouth affect the strategy for the retreat?
  2. How would Sullivan decide to distribute the seasoned soldiers and raw militia?
  3. How would Sullivan decide where to place the advanced guards to hinder the enemy?
  4. The British had been on the defensive with the Siege. What decisions does Pigot make to go on the offensive?
  5. What is Pigot’s strategy?
  6. On Turkey Hill, Lauren asks Sullivan for more men. What decisions does Sullivan make?
  7. When Malsburg is out of ammunition past Turkey Hill, what decision does he make?
  8. What were Malsburg’s decisions on attacking the redoubt.
  9. What decisions did the British Navy make?
  10. Greene urged Sullivan to Fully Engage when the British got beyond Quaker Hill. What decision did Sullivan make?
  11. How did the American actions change the Navy’s decisions?
  12. What decisions did Nathanael Greene make in flanking the Hessians?
  13. What decisions did Smith make when he had orders not to make a general engagement?
  14. Later in the afternoon, when Sullivan was faced with the choice of counter attack or stay put – what decision did he make?

Questions:

  1. How did both armies communicate?
  2. What were some of the tactics used by the Americans?
  3. What were some of the tactics used by the British?
Huntington Library map

Lafayette and Silas Talbot: the Pigot Plot

December 18, 2023

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We tend to think of the Rhode Island Campaign ending as the Americans retreated to Tiverton. I have been researching the movements of Lafayette in Rhode Island and I am more aware of the actions of the Continental troops on the East and West Bays directly after the retreat. Lafayette wrote letters that provide us with clues to what was happening in the East Bay. The Americans were successful in moving their troops and equipment off Aquidneck Island, but the decision of the French to leave for Boston to repair their ships left bitter feelings. Lafayette had an idea for a small victory to boost morale. On September 8th, 1778 he wrote to Silas Talbot . I am quoting the letter, but phrasing some of it in more modern language.

Sir,

The reputation which you have already acquired by your zeal and skill in the artificial way (as a mechanic in the military), leads me to communicate to you a plan where I think some success could be obtained. I wish to have heavy and strong scows upon each of them a twenty-four pounder would be fixed and then by a calm night, attack an English frigate who lies upon the North end of the island. The directions we could take should prevent her giving us any broadside before receiving many shots directed in such a way as to annoy them extremely.

In the same time she would be busy in her defense I wish two or four fire boats full of fascines, tar, old muskets, and bombs could be directed to the other side so as to enflame her.

If you believe, sir, such a scheme might succeed, I would be obliged to you to come immediately from Providence with such artificial provisions as would enable us to try the experiment without loss of time. You could take down two or three or more large scows or ferry boats who would extremely well do the business for fixing cannon on them. That affair must be kept very secret. With the greatest and more sincere esteem I have the honor to be dear sir your most obedient servant.

Silas Talbot did follow through with Lafayette’s idea. In coming blogs I will give more background on the adventures of Talbot and his daring exploits.

Letter taken from Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution. Edited by Stanley J. Idzerda.