Battle of Rhode Island

Battle of Rhode Island
Part of the American Revolutionary War
A 1779 print depicting the battle
Date August 29, 1778 Location Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island Result Tactically indecisive British strategic victory
Belligerents
United States  France 1st Canadian Regiment	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
John Sullivan Nathanael Greene Christopher Greene Comte d'Estaing	Sir Robert Pigot Francis Smith Richard Prescott Friedrich Wilhelm von Lossberg
Strength
10,100	6,700
Casualties and losses
30 killed 137 wounded 44 missing	38 killed 210 wounded 12 missing

The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill, and the Siege of Newport took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing to the northern part of Aquidneck Island after abandoning their siege of Newport, Rhode Island, when the British forces in Newport sortied, supported by recently arrived Royal Navy ships, and attacked the retreating Americans. The battle ended inconclusively, but afterwards Continental forces withdrew to the mainland, leaving Aquidneck Island in British hands.

The battle took place in the aftermath of the first attempt at cooperation between French and American forces following France's entry into the war as an American ally. Operations against Newport were said to have been made in conjunction with a French fleet and troops. The operations were frustrated in part by difficult relations between the commanders as well as a storm that damaged both French and British fleets shortly before joint operations were to begin.

The battle was also notable for the participation of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment under the control of Colonel Christopher Greene, which consisted of African Americans, Native Americans, and European-American settlers.

Following the surrender of the British Army after the Battles of Saratoga in October 1777, France decided to formally recognise the United States of America. It had previously supported the independence effort of the Thirteen Colonies and by early 1778 had made the decision to openly support the American cause. France formally recognized the United States in February 1778. War was declared between France and Great Britain in March 1778.

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