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Learn About The Battle of Rhode Island

Turkey Hill Kiosk

Turkey Hill

At 8 AM the British forces under the command of Von Der Malsburg chased Col. John Laurens and his American troops. There were skirmishes up West (Main) Road as the two sides made contact.

Banister's and Dudley's Redoubts, Fage map of Newport in 1778

The Mackenzie Diaries

Frederick Mackenzie’s Diary is a valuable source for information on the British Occupation of Rhode Island (Aquidneck Island). He began writing his diary in 1748…

Burning of the Gaspee Magic Lantern Slide

The Conspiracy to Destroy the Gaspee

With but few exceptions, it has usually been surmised by historians that the 1772 attack on the Royal Navy schooner Gaspee was a spontaneous response to the accidental grounding of the King’s vessel…

Disposition of British French and American Forces Aquidneck Island French Map August 1778 (Library of Congress)

The Aftermath of the Battle

August 30th. “A Cloudy morning and the wind very high it rained a Considerable in the night the Enemy Remained on their Ground this morning two English friggats Came up yesterday

Denison Map 1778 shows British Naval Attack

Skirmish Timelines & Maps

Action in the Battle of Rhode Island took place along what we call East and West Main Roads. It was the East Road and West Road to them. Sometimes there were two or more actions going on at approximately the same time.

The "Surrender of Cornwallis" by John Trumball, U.S. Capital

Significant People

Some of those young soldiers who fought in the Battle of Rhode Island or participated in the Siege of Newport went on to brilliant careers.

Quaker Hill Map. A plan of the northern part of Rhode Island in the township of Portsmouth. 1778. Huntington Library

Quaker Hill

After a skirmish with Wade’s American forces, British General Smith and the 43rd Regiment pushed up Middle Road while the 22nd Regiment proceeded up East Main Road.