portsmouthhistorynotes

I collect eyewitness accounts of the Battle of Rhode Island. As I searched through my own local history collection, I came across an account I don’t remember reading. It is a transcription by John Millar of the diary of a Peter Reina, a young British soldier in the Battle of Rhode Island. Millar transcribed the diary from photocopies sent to him by an English descendent of Peter and the transcription appeared in the August, 1979 edition of the Rhode Island History Magazine.

Although the transcription begins with the arrival of the French fleet, I am going to share just the portion on the Battle of Rhode Island. It is interesting to have another British view to contrast the American diaries, Order Books and letters we have for research.

“Reports arriving by deserters: the enemy were retreating to the north end of the Island. The Commander in Chief, Sir Robert Pigot, on the morning of the 29th ordered the Light Infantry and Grenadiers with Brown’s and Fanning’s Corps to march out of their lines and attack them, as were the 22nd, 43rd with the Hessian and Anspach Corps from Easton’s Beach.

They marched without opposition for some miles till meeting with a considerable body of the enemy on Quaker Hill. A severe fire took place; the van of our small army, for some time being not supported by the rear, suffered considerably, but the foreign troops advancing to support of the 22nd and 43rd, the Rebels were repulsed and drove from their works with considerable slaughter on their part. They then took post on Windmill Hill, an eminence commanding every other and very strongly defended.

Our troops took post on Quaker’s Hill. Great numbers of wounded coming into the Town gave the Rebels there no small satisfaction; their countenances shew’d it while they at the same time seek’d to administer relief.

The Sphynx 20 gun ship and Vigilante galley which arrived on the 27th, were sent up the River to cut off the retreat of the Rebels, but they could not effect it, not getting past the batteries at Bristol Ferry.

However, the Rebels being quite dispirited by the loss of their Allies, they could not remain longer, and on the night of Sunday 30th totally evacuated the Island to our great satisfaction and ease.

Thus ended Mr. Sullivan’s third expedition on Rhode island, much to his dishonor and disgrace to his magnanimous allies, who with 25,000 men and a fleet of 12 ships of the line made a shameful retreat from before a small army not exceeding 6000 troops, and those but ill provided with artillery.”

Note: John FItzhugh Millar was very active in researching Rhode Island Revolutionary history in the timeframe of the bi-centennial.

Before 9 AM, August 29, 1778

After a skirmish with American Wade’s forces, British General Smith and the 43rd Regiment pushed up Middle Road while the 22nd Regiment proceeded up East Main Road. The diversity of the troop coats created confusion during the fight. British soldiers mistook Continentals with blue coats for Germans with blue coats, so American soldiers got within easy firing range of the Red Coats.

American units (Wiggleworth’s Regiment, Livingston’s advanced guard and Wade’s pickets) were waiting at the junction of Middle Road, East Road and Hedley Street near where the Quaker Meeting House is. American General Sullivan saw his troops retreating, so he sent in Shepard’s Regiment of Massachusetts Continentals. General Sullivan’s “Life Guards” were sent in as well. For a while the Americans had an advantage.

A private from Jackson’s attachment described the action:

“We began to attack. The action began to be warm when we were reinforced by Col. Shepard’s Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sprout. The action then commenced hot. We plied them so briskly that they began to give way. Our troops seeing this, gave three cheers and advanced. The enemy then gave way and left one piece of cannon but poorly supported. A party of our men then advanced, drove the artillerymen and took possession of the cannon. The enemy then rallied and being reinforced, advanced and gave our men so heavy a fire that they obliged them to quit their prize, the cannon.”

Diary of a soldier in the RI Expedition (Massachusetts Historical Society. Quoted in McBurney.

Sullivan sent an aide, John Trumbull, to order Wigglesworth to retreat.

“Reminiscences of his own Times” by John Trumbull that describes events on August 29th, 1778. My notes are in bold italics.

“Soon after daybreak the next morning, the rear-guard, commanded by that excellent officer, Colonel Wigglesworth, was attacked on Quaker, otherwise called Windmill Hill {actually it was Butts Hill that was called Windmill Hill} and General Sullivan, wishing to avoid a serious action on that ground, sent me with orders to commanding officer to withdraw the guard. …..

Nothing can be more trying to the nerves, than to advance deliberatively and alone into danger. At first I saw a round shot or two drop near me, and pass bounding on. I met poor Colonel Tousard, who had just lost one arm, blown off by the discharge of a field piece, for the possession of which there was an ardent struggle. He was led off by a small party. Soon after, I saw Captain Walker, of H. Jackson’s regiment, who had received a musket ball through his body, mounted behind a person on horseback. He bid me a melancholy farewell, and died before night. Next, grape shot began to sprinkle around me, and soon after musket balls fell in my path like hailstones. This was not to be borne. I spurred on my horse to the summit of the hill, and found myself in the midst of the melee. ‘Don’t say a word, Trumbull;’ cried the gallant commander, ‘I know your errand, but don’t speak; we will beat them in a moment.’

‘Col. Wigglesworth, do you see those troops crossing obliquely from the west road towards your rear?’

‘Yes, they are Americans, coming to our support.’

‘No sir, those are Germans; mark, their dress is blue and yellow, not buff; they are moving to fell late your rear, and intercept your retreat. Retreat instantly — don’t lose a moment, or you will be cut off.’

The gallant man obeyed, reluctantly, and withdrew the guard in fine style, slowly, but safely.”

The heavy action lasted for almost a hour. Some American writers called it an orderly retreat, but British writers recorded that the Americans retreated at a run. As the British came within range of the six 18 pounders fired from Butts Hill, the British regrouped. From Quaker Hill British General Smith could see the strength of Sullivan’s lines. By 9:30 AM Smith decided against an assault and he withdrew back to the top of Quaker Hill. Almost half the casualties of the battle came from the skirmishes on East Main Road.

Resources:

McBurney’s The Rhode Island Campaign provides an excellent narrative.

Anthony Walker, So Few the Brave. 1981, R.I. Sons of the American Revolution.

“Reminiscences of his own Times” by John Trumbull is quoted in Stone’s Our French Allies.