CHAP. IX.

This communication threw Sullivan and his

1778. army into despair. Success, without the aid of the fleet, could not be hoped for; and they had counted with almost absolute certainty on a brilliant termination of the enterprise. General Greene, and the marquis de La Fayette were directed to wait on the admiral with a letter from Sullivan, remonstrating against this resolution, and to use their utmost endeavours to induce him to change it.

They represented to him the certainty of carrying the garrison, if he would only co-ope rate with them for two days. The plan they proposed was to land on the southern part of the island, within all the works erected for defence, against which their present operations were directed, a measure which would very much abridge the duration of the siege, but which could not be attempted without the aid of the fleet. They pressed very strongly on him the importance of this event to France, as well as to America.

They also urged the danger of carrying the fleet in its present shattered state, through such a difficult navigation as that over the shoals of Nantucket; the facility with which it might be repaired at Newport; the superiority of its present station over the harbour of Boston for distressing the enemy; and that, in the event of the arrival of a superior fleet, Boston offered no advantages over Newport.

It might with equal ease be blocked up, and CHAP. IX. could not be so readily defended. To these 1778. observations they added, that the expedition had been undertaken on condition that the French fleet and army should co-operate with them; that in confidence of this co-operation, stores to a very great amount had been brought on the island, and that to abandon it in the present state of things, would be a reproach and disgrace to their arms. To be deserted at such a critical moment would have a very pernicious influence on the minds of the American people, and would furnish their internal foes, as well as the common enemy, with the means of animadverting very severely on their prospects, from an alliance with those, who could desert them under circumstances such as

the present. They concluded with wishing that the utmost harmony and confidence might subsist between the two nations, and especially between their officers; and entreated the admiral, if any personal indiscretions had appeared in conducting the expedition, not to permit them to operate a prejudice to the common

cause.

Whatever weight these observations might be entitled to, and whatever impression they might have made on the count, he continued immovable in the determination he had formed.

In making a representation of this conversation, general Greene stated the principal

CHAP. IX. Officers on board the fleet to have been the 1778. enemies of D'Estaing. He was properly a

land officer, and they were dissatisfied with his appointment to command them in the navy. They were, therefore, determined, as much as possible to thwart his measures; and to prevent, wherever it could be justified, his achieving any brilliant exploit which might redound to his reputation. In this temper, they availed themselves of the letter of his instructions, and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish the enterprise, and sail for Boston. He could not venture, with such instructions, to act against their unanimous opinion; and although he seemed himself disposed to re-enter the harbour, yet, under their influence, he declined doing so, and sailed from the island.

On the return of Greene and La Fayette, Sullivan, who was chagrined beyond measure at the prospect of losing so fair an occasion to distinguish himself, and render service to his country, made yet another effort to retain the fleet. He addressed a second letter to the admiral, remonstrating against his withdrawing from the enterprise, and pressing him, in any event, to leave his land forces. Lieutenant colonel Laurens, the bearer of this letter, was also charged with a protest signed by all the general officers of the American army in Rhode Island, except Fayette, remonstrating against the measure in terms of great earnestness, and

reiterating, with some additions, the arguments CHAP. IX. which had already been urged by general 1778. Greene without effect. The fleet having sailed, a swift privateer was engaged to take colonel Laurens on board, and pursue it. He soon overtook the count, and delivered the dispatches. That officer was much displeased with the protest, and continued his voyage to Boston.

Thus abandoned by the fleet, Sullivan called the general officers of his army to consult them on the propriety of continuing the siege, of attempting the place by storm, or of retreating with the stores from the island.

He stated his actual force to consist of about nine thousand rank and file, including artillerists; and that a re-enforcement of about three thousand militia might be expected in a few days. The force of the enemy was estimated, according to the best computation he could make, at six thousand.

quence of the

A disposition was at first manifested to attempt an assault, if five thousand volunteers who had seen nine months service, could be obtained for the enterprise; but the departure of the fleet had so discouraged the militia, that departure of the requisite number could not be had; in a few days, the army was reduced by deser- Newport. tion to little more than five thousand men. This produced a determination to raise the August 26.

and,

the French fleet, Sulli

van raises

the siege of

CHAP. IX. siege, and retire to the north end of the island, 1778. there to fortify and wait for events.

August 28.

August 29.

They were thus tenacious of the ground they had gained, in the hope that D'Estaing might yet return in time to accomplish the object for which the expedition had been undertaken. To prevail on him to do so, general Hancock and the marquis de La Fayette set out for Boston; the farmer to expedite the repairs of the vessels, and the latter to use the influence which his high rank and character gave him with the admiral.

In the night, the camp before Newport was broken up in great silence, and the army retired unobserved towards the works on the north end of the island. The rear was covered by colonels Livingston and Laurens, who commanded light parties on both the east and west road.

Very early in the morning, the retreat was discovered by the enemy, who immediately followed in two columns, and were engaged on each road, about seven o'clock in the morning, by Livingston, and Laurens, who were occa sionally re-enforced, but were directed to retreat slowly, and in order, to the fortified camp now occupied by the army. These orders were executed with great judgment, and the action was kept up with skill and spirit until the enemy were brought into the neighbourhood of the main body of the Americans, who were drawn up in order of battle on the ground of their