Battle of Rhode Island – 29 August, 1778 MMcG01

Historical Background

In early August, rebel forces under the command of General and marched off his Von Huyn Regiment to the northeast Sullivan crossed onto Aquidneck Island to effect a joint siege of to take the Americans in flank and get into their rear. Newport along with newly arrived French forces. But when the French commander, Admiral Comte d’Estaing, got information The American commander, Livingston, had been reinforced that an English fleet was enroute to the area, he boarded the by units from the main line and was confident he was about French Infantry and Marines that were to help Sullivan and put to break the Grenadiers and Light Bobs in front of him. But a to sea so as not to be bottled up in Narragansett Bay. Both fleets courier sent by General Sullivan warned him that Von Huyn was were subsequently badly scattered by a massive storm that blew about to flank him and ordered him to withdraw immediately. up and neither were a factor in the coming battle. This he did, tho reluctantly as he had originally thought the blue clad Hessians were other Americans coming to help him. Sullivan realized that with only 7,000 men, only a third of Livingston’s light troops retreated into the main line as the whom were reliable Continentals, he could not carry the works British harassed them with cannon fire. at Newport alone. On the night of 28 August he retreated the bulk of his army some 10 miles north to strong positions Back on the west road, the Hessians, along with the green anchored off of a strong redoubt on Butt’s Hill. His aim was coated Kings American Regiment loyalists, assaulted the small to protect a crossing point just to the northeast so he could get Durfey Hill under cover of cannon fire from Royal Navy his men off Aquidneck Island entirely. ships just to the west in Narragansett Bay. Ensconced in what was known as The Artillery Redoubt on the south slope, the Early on 29 August, British officers noted that the American predominantly black soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment tents that had ringed Newport had been struck and that put up fierce resistance and managed to beat off two assaults. Sullivan’s rear guard could be seen retreating up the two main When things looked a bit unsure, Sullivan ordered another roads. British overall commander, Major General Pigot, saw an Continental Regiment forward from the main line to augment opportunity to crush the rebels before they could get off the the Rhode Islanders. island. He ordered the bulk of his German mercenary units up The West Road with orders to harass and probe the rebels. The Hessians had been promised naval gunfire support for British units under Brigadier Francis Smith (of Lexington and a third attempt on the redoubt, but the Americans pushed the Concord infamy ) would advance up the East Road. A small ships out of range with artillery fire. The Chasseurs led one unit of about 150 rifle armed Hessian Chasseurs (or Jagers) final attack, this time on the western flank, but the Continentals hurried up the west road and skirmished with American light held firm. The exhausted Germans fell back to their positions infantry units posted to hold them up. On the East Road, on Turkey Hill as artillery from both sides traded fire. the flank companies (light infantry and Grenadiers) of the 38th British General Pigot, a veteran of the costly victory at Bunker and 54th Regiments did the same. Hill, had plenty of reserves, but decided he didn’t want to take on the rebels in their fixed positions. General Sullivan was By mid morning, the 1st and 2nd Anspach Regiments were urged by General Nathaniel Greene to throw in more units on the northern slope of Turkey Hill looking across a valley and further punish the British, but decided it would be folly at the main Patriot line about a mile away. The British had to risk losing more men. The battle thus ended as a draw but the achieved the same goal and were on the slope of Quaker Hill British could claim victory as they held the field and, a few days pressing the American advance guard under Livingston. Hessian later, the island, when Sullivan successfully crossed his troops General Von Lossberg saw his allies locked in a pitched battle to the mainland.

This scenario was designed by Mike McGee for play with Commands & Colors Tricorne: The American Revolution. You will need both the base game and the French & More expansion to set up this scenario. Original posting and scenario discussion: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/2461647/ battle-rhode-island-29-august-1778-scenario Battle of Rhode Island – 29 August, 1778 MMcG01

Butt’s Hill Redoubt

Light Militia 2 3 3

Narragansett Bay Regular Light Regular Light Provincial Provincial Provincial Regular Regular 3

3 Provincial

Artillery Regular Redoubt

Light

West 3 Road

Light East Light Road

Turkey Hill

Regular Regular 2 2 2 2 Sakonnet Quaker River Hill Provincial Light Light Light Grenadier

Regular Regular Regular

Battle Notes

Continental Army Special Rules • Commander: Sullivan • Opening Cannonade rules are in effect. • The Artillery Redoubt hill field works • 5 Command Cards & 5 Combat Cards • Narragansett Bay is represented by hex and Butt’s Hill Redoubt hilltop stream hex tiles in the northwest map camp hex are worth one one temporary British Army area and is impassable. The Sakonnet victory banner each to the British • Commander: Pigot River is represented by stream hex tiles player for as long as he occupies either. • 5 Command Cards & 4 Combat Cards in the southeast map area and is also • Hedge hexes are treated the same as • Move first impassable. wood fence hexes. • The east/west stream is fordable. • Some units begin the game under- Victory • The Continental Player gains one strength with the number of blocks 5 Victory Banners temporary victory banner if he occupies indicated by the circled number. the Artillery Redoubt field works hex at These units cannot gain more blocks the start of his turn (and thus starts the than they start the game with and are game with one victory banner). never considered to be at full strength. Battle of Rhode Island – 29 August, 1778 MMcG01

Terrain

x17 x7 x14 x7 x2 x1 x1

x2 x1 x2 x1 x4 x2 x5 x2

x6 x2 x1 x1 x3 x9 Battle of Rhode Island – 29 August, 1778 MMcG01

Light Militia 2 3 3

Regular Light Regular Light Provincial Provincial Provincial Regular Regular

3

3 Provincial

Regular

Light

3

Light

Light

Regular Regular 2 2 2 2

Provincial Light Light Light Grenadier

Regular Regular Regular

Units

Continental Army

Regular Light Provincial Militia Light x5 x3 x4 x1 x2 x5

British Army

Regular Light Provincial Grenadier Light x2 x1 x1 x1 x1 x2

Hessians

Regular Light Light x3 x1 x1 x2