In December of 1776, the British army seized control of Newport and eventually began to occupy all of Aquideck Island. To combat this, The legislature voted to raise three regiments in an effort to release themselves from the grasp of Great Britain. In march of 1778, Congress appointed Major General John Sullivan to manage the Continental Army's efforts. Sullivan then began to collect weapons and planned an attack on the British. In 1778 the 1st Rhode Island Regiment a specifically African-American troop was corralled in order to help the state meet its obligations for manning the Continental Army. In the end, the fighting cost Sullivan the lives of 30 soldiers and left 138 soldiers wounded.
Interesting post. Looks like the Continental Army had difficulties getting enough support in the state of Rhode Island. I would have liked to know more about who the African American troops were and where the came from. Freemen or slaves?
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