Battle of Rhode Island

The Battle of Rhode Island was the first major combined Franco-American operation of the war and its failure demonstrated the difficulties of alliance coordination. Admiral d'Estaing's French fleet and General Sullivan's American land force planned a joint assault on the British garrison at Newport — the first test of the new alliance's military effectiveness.

The operation began to unravel when a British fleet under Admiral Howe arrived and d'Estaing put to sea to engage it. A massive storm damaged both fleets, forcing d'Estaing to withdraw to Boston for repairs rather than return to support Sullivan. Sullivan was furious and wrote an intemperate letter attacking the French that caused considerable diplomatic damage.

Sullivan proceeded with the operation alone with about 10,000 men. A week of operations led to a withdrawal in the face of the approaching British fleet and British reinforcements. The rear-guard action of August 29 was actually an American tactical success — the retreat was skillfully covered, particularly by the Black Regiment of Rhode Island, which repulsed three British charges with discipline and extraordinary courage.

The Black Regiment's performance at Rhode Island became one of the most celebrated examples of African American military service in the Revolution, helping to build the case that Black soldiers were equal in every way to white soldiers. The regiment had been formed from free Black men and freed slaves, and their valor at Rhode Island gave lie to arguments against arming Black Americans in defense of freedom.