USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 1 > Part 26
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1Prov. Gazette, Sept. 17, 1774.
2R. I. H. S. Coll. vi, 114.
3Stiles's Diary, i, 536, 540, 561, 562.
+R. I. C. R. vii, 388, 397, 413-14. See also J. N. Arnold, Rebel Treatment of Tories during the Revolution in Narr. Hist. Reg. vol. 3, 4.
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early and disastrous overthrow of the patriot cause.1 During the whole long struggle there were many periods when freedom seemed far away in the future.
During all of the remainder of the year 1775 military and naval preparations for defenee of the colony and for participation in the expected war, progressed in every direction. The inception of the American navy was established in June by aet of assembly, ordering the charter of two vessels, to be fitted out, armed and manned. These were named the Washington and the Katy, and Abraham Whipple, who had already proved his naval prowess,2 was made "commander, with the rank and power of Commodore of both vessels".3 In the same month, after Congress had adopted measures for establishing the army, Washington was made commander-in-chief, and one of the four major-generals appointed was the patriot son of Rhode Island, Nathanael Greene.
In May, 1775, when a body of American troops numbering about 16,000 were eneamped on Jamaica Plains, near Boston, the Rhode Island army of observation, with the train of artillery and a siege battery, marched thither before June 1. General Gage's proclamation of martial law, on June 12, was followed on the 17th by the battle of Bunker Hill, and the country at large foresaw a long and exhausting confliet. Rhode Island immediately took steps to place herself on the strongest possible war footing. Governor Cooke had already aeted upon the request of the general assembly, and on the 12th issued a proclamation, "commanding every man in the Colony, able to bear Arms, to equip himself with Arms and Ammunition, according to law". Committees were appointed to visit all the houses and take account of arms and ammunition, to be transmitted to Congress; all saltpetre and brimstone in the colony was ordered eolleeted and for- warded to New York : the garrison at Fort George was discharged and the remaining guns taken away ; a sentry post was stationed at Tower Hill in South Kingstown to give warning of the approach of a fleet;
'One of the Providence Tories wrote his friend in Plymouth as follows: "The Rebel Game, I take it, will be up this Summer, when I fancy they will lose at a d-d Rate". Prov. Gazette, June 21, 1777.
Arnold, ii, 350.
3R. I. C. R. vii, 347. Later in the year, in October, Congress fitted out several vessels, the whole fleet being put under the command of Esek Hopkins, a Rhode Island man. In December, Congress appointed a committee of one from each colony to organize and equip a navy, Stephen Hopkins serving as the Rhode Island member. (Foster's Hopkins, ii, 234.) For a detailed ac- count of the organization, equipment and service of this infant navy, see Field's Esek Hopkins.
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minute men were enlisted and put under drill; the entrance to Providence harbor was fortified and a beacon erected on Prospect Hill ; and six extra companies were ordered to join the army at Boston. Military activity prevailed on every hand.1
The situation in the fall of 1775 at Newport was critical. Captain Wallace's fleet had so annoyed commerce, seized provisions, and threatened the town, that many of the inhabitants had moved away. Early in October, the arrival of four more vessels caused a menacing demand to be made upon the Island and Conanicut for live stock. A force of 600 militia under Esek Hopkins was sent to Newport to repel the expected attack. Consternation and anxiety prevailed; many inhabitants fled; the streets were thronged with laden vehicles, and all business was paralyzed. But Wallace apparently had no intention of destroying a town that might be of vast future importance to his country, and withdrew on the 7th, anchoring his fleet in Bristol harbor. After demanding that four magistrates be sent off to his fleet, which was refused, he bombarded the place for over an hour, driving many of the inhabitants away and damaging many buildings. After forcing the people to supply him with forty sheep he withdrew.2 An evacua- tion of Newport ensued. Nearly three-quarters of the inhabitants, taking as much personal property as they could carry, removed to the upper end of the Island or to other parts of the colony. The Tories now assumed a prominent part in governing the town, and continued as an obstacle to the progress of liberty until the arrival of . the British forces, in December, 1776, placed them in complete control.3
Realizing the value of Newport as a military position, the assembly made great exertion to provide for its defence. By January, 1776, nearly 1,500 militia were encamped around the town, throwing up fortifications and preparing for an expected attack. These extraor-
1R. I. C. R. vii, 354-358. For an account of the erecting of fortifications around Providence, see Field's Rev. Defences of R. I. Difficulty was antici- pated in raising the required troops in this colony, and in pro- viding for home protection. Governor Cooke wrote Honorable James Warren, under date of June 26, 1775: "If our Assembly vote an addi- tional number of troops, you are sensible it will take time to raise and equip them. Besides the forces in the field we are fitting out two armed vessels for the protection of our trade. These exertions in our present dis- tressed state have nearly exhausted the Colony". (R. I. H. S. Coll. vi, 107.)
2Newport Mercury, Oct. 9, 16, 1775; Prov. Gazette, Oct. 7, 14, 1775; and Stiles's Diary, i, 620-624. Field's Esek Hopkins, ch. ii, contains an account of the troubles at Newport at this period.
3The Tory element was so powerful in Newport that it was feared that they would triumph over the Whigs in the election of 1776. The Mercury urged absent patriots to send proxy votes. (Newport Mercury, April 8, 1776.)
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dinary preparations in her own defenec, combined with the drain upon her population and resources in aiding the regular provincial army, left the colony in a much exhausted condition. Frequent letters were sent to Congress, to General Washington and others, requesting assist- ance. On January 21, 1776, Governor Cooke addressed General Lee, at New York, requesting his aid in procuring a body of troops to be stationed in the colony. "I shall only add", he continued, "that unless the continent defends the colony, it must be abandoned". A communication similar in tone was at the same time addressed to the Rhode Island delegates in Congress.1 But the necessity of concentrat- ing the American troops where operations were actually in progress forbade the sending of reinforcements to Rhode Island until an attack was really made. Not disheartened by the inability to procure outside assistance, the colony continued in its active military preparations. The assembly, at the session of March, 1776, passed an act for the purchase of "two thousand stand of good firearms, with bayonets, iron ramrods and cartouch boxes", for the use of this colony.2 Still another important legislative act was passed at that time for "en- couraging the fixing out, and authorizing armed vessels, to defend the scacoast of America, and for erecting a court to try and condemn all vessels that shall be found infesting the same". This opened the way for the later operations of a great swarm of privateers, which were such an important factor in the war, and for the condemnation and sale of their prizes.
On May 4, 1776, the Rhode Island assembly passed an act of the greatest importance to the welfare of the colony and the nation. By a formal statute, and with but six dissenting votes, she absolutely
R. I. C. R. vii, 424, 444-451, 471.
2R. I. C. R. vii, 477. At this point it is pertinent to notice the distribution of troops for the defense of the colony, as prescribed by a committee appointed by the assembly in March: "That one company be placed at Point Judith; one company at Boston Neck, between Narrow River and South Ferry; one company, at Quanset Point, in North Kingstown; one company, at Pojack Point, in North Kingstown; and Potowomut Neck, in Warwick; one company, at Warwick Neck; half a company, at Pawtuxet, in Cranston; one company, at Barrington; two companies, at Bristol; one company, at Bristol Ferry, on Rhode Island side; and one-third of said company, on Tiverton side; one com- pany, in Tiverton and Little Compton, near Fogland Ferry; four companies and a half, on the Island of Jamestown; and the remainder of the troops, being seven companies, together also with the artillery company, at head- quarters, on Rhode Island". The committee commend the fortification of Bristol Ferry and the erection of a fort "on the Tonomy Hill, on Rhode Island" (near Newport). These recommendations, with slight change, were adopted. (R. I. C. R. vii, 492.) For muster rolls of companies located at various points, consult Field's Revolutionary Defences in Rhode Island.
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renounced her allegiance to Great Britain. For many months the sentiment of independence had been growing throughout the country. In the newspapers, in letters, and in public speeches can be traced the opinion of those who advised that the connection between the colonies and the mother country should be severed. For Rhode Island, how- ever, was reserved the honor of being the first colonial legislature to renounce allegiance. It was further declared by the act, that all commissions, writs and other legal documents should henceforth be issued in the name of the colony and not of the King.1 Two months later, on July 4, 1776, Congress responded to the public sentiment by adopting a solemn Declaration of Independence. The Rhode Island assembly, at the July session, immediately voted its formal approval of the instrument, made preparation for its reception with a discharge of thirteen cannon, and engaged to "support the said General Con- gress with our lives and fortunes". The records of the session were terminated with the prayer "God save the United States".
The act abjuring allegiance to Great Britain seems to have had a good effect upon the Tory element in Newport, as is indicated in a letter from Governor Cooke to Washington, May 6, 1776, in which he wrote : "I have the satisfaction to inform Your Excellency, that at a very full town meeting of the inhabitants of Newport, held last Monday, it was unanimously voted, to enter into the defense of the town ; and last Thursday, a considerable body of them began work upon the fort to be erected upon Brenton's Point. This happy event, I have great hopes will make us a united people, and root up every seed of disaffec- tion in the colony".2 Little consideration, in fact, was now being shown to those who still adhered to the royal cause. The assembly, at the June session, passed an act providing that all persons suspected of disloyalty, should be requested to sign a declaration of their belief in the justice of the American cause, and that they would not in nay manner aid the enemy. To this was added a law at the next session that no one should have the liberty of voting until he had subscribed to the test oath.3
1R. I. C. R. vii, 522. Staples, R. I. in the Continental Congress, p. 68.
2R. I. C. R. vii, 545. Rev. Ezra Stiles, under the date of May 3, thus com- ments on this meeting: "I understand that Admiral Hopkins, etc., assembled a town meeting at Newport last Monday to vote whether they would assist in defending the town and working on the lines, and in case of refusal or dissat- isfaction with the works and fortifications carrying on there, then he would remove and carry off all the cannon and leave them defenseless. In a full meeting they voted to assist Wonderful! Where were the Tories?" (Stiles's Diary, ii, 12.)
3R. I. C. R. vii, 567, 589.
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These restrictions, and especially the knowledge that they were liable to a fine of £100, made the Tories somewhat more chary of declaring their opinions. The arrest of suspected persons became a frequent occurrence. In July several who had refused to take the test oath were removed, at their own expense, to be placed under surveillance, and three others who refused to pay the cost of removal were sent to the Providence jail.1 These stringent measures were generally suffi- cient to prevent overt acts of encouragement to the enemy.
The situation of Washington's army near New York, in August, 1776, was most critical, and a battle with overwhelming numbers of the enemy was imminent. In this emergency the Rhode Island assem- bly, on September 2, voted to send the whole of the State brigade to his relief. The departure of these troops left the State defenceless and the people filled with anxiety. A committee was appointed to visit Washington, explain the situation here and consult as to methods of defence. The committee took the strong ground that they appre- hended Rhode Island and Newport would have to be abandoned.2 But the situation was relieved for the time being by the arrival of a regiment from Massachusetts and the enlistment in this State of another regiment, to serve for three months. The evacuation of New York and Long Island late in August was a cause of renewed anxiety in both Rhode Island and Connecticut, which was deepened by the general military outlook as the year drew to a close.
Rhode Island, on account of the favorable situation of her chief town, was now destined to realize the calamities of war to her full share. Early in December, 1776, the enemy's fleet, consisting of seven ships of line, four frigates, and a large number of transports, with about 5,000 troops, entered the Bay, and on the 8th landed one regi- ment of troops at Newport, and the main body of the army in Middle- town. After a night of pillage there the whole force marched into Newport, where they took possession in the King's name.3 The land- ing of such an army created consternation throughout New England and prompt and active measures were adopted for the common defence. Governor Cooke quickly convened the assembly. A Council of War
1R. I. C. R. vii, 593-598. Stiles's Diary, ii, 22, and ii, 131, where he enumer- ates the Tories in Newport in December, 1776. For further lists of Tories, see R. I. C. R. ix, 139, and Newport MS. Town Records, 1779-1816, p. 8. The New York Public Library has among its "American Loyalist Papers", copies of Rhode Island claims taken from English records. (See its Library Bulletin for December, 1900.)
2R. I. C. R. vii, 606. See postscript of letter from Washington to Governor Cooke, Sept. 17, 1776, in Idem, p. 625.
3See Prov. Gazette, Dec. 14, 1776, Stiles's Diary, ii, 95, R. I. C. R. viii, 112.
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was appointed, consisting of nine men, and a call was sent to Massa- chusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut for military aid and for the appointment of committees to meet for consultation upon the emergent situation. The American troops, to the number of 600, left the Island, going into a camp at Tiverton and Bristol. The Conven- tion of committees met the Rhode Island Council in Providence on the 25th, and it was resolved to concentrate an army of about 6,000 in this State, of which Rhode Island was to furnish an entire brigade. In accordance therewith the assembly voted that two regiments, consisting of seven hundred and fifty men each, and one regiment of artillery consisting of five companies of sixty men each, should be raised, "for the defense of this, and the other United States".1
The two regiments whose term had about expired were disbanded so that they might enlist in the new brigade. Washington disapproved of raising this brigade, fearing it would interfere with enlistments in the two battalions previously ordered from this state, and correspond- ence followed between him and Governor Cooke, the result of which was a withdrawal by the commander-in-chief of his objections.2 The call upon neighboring states was promptly answered. Massachusetts sent two brigades, besides a train of artillery, and from Connecticut came three regiments and five companies, with a small troop of cavalry. All these were quartered at strategic points on both sides of the Bay, and thus "the State and the Island were two great and hostile camps".3 The outlook for the country at the close of this eventful year was not bright, but the victory in New Jersey in the early part of January, 1777, revived the hopes of all patriots.
For nearly three years the British army occupied Newport and Rhode Island, causing constant anxiety and the whole train of evils always attendant upon war. American trade on the Island was
1R. I. C. R. vii, 58.
2Cowell, Spirit of '76, 127-133; R. I. C. R. viii, 114, 139-142. General Greene shared in this feeling, as expressed in a letter from him to Governor Cooke, written Feb. 1, 1777, in which he said: "If this great and national plan [of raising 88 battalions] is to be dispensed with by any particular State without the consent of the others, nothing but confusion and disorder will be the con- sequence. I cannot help thinking this an indirect breach of the Union, and have too much reason to believe it will be so considered by the other States". (R. I. Hist. Soc. Coll. vi, 184. See also his letter of Jan. 23, R. I. C. R. viii, 115.)
3Arnold, ii, 390. Stiles, in his Diary, ii, 141, under date of March 10, 1777, says: "There have been 5,000 troops around Narragansett Bay this winter. Now are 4,000 besides those returned last week. The State of Rhode Island has 2,500 militia on actual duty, 500 Rhode Island Continental Troops, and 500 Massachusetts militia, 500 Connecticut militia."
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destroyed, property was plundercd, and the remaining inhabitants who were not Tories, were maltreated. The British constructed forti- fieations early in the year at Fogland Ferry and further north at Butt's Hill, while the Americans made sueh defensive provisions as were suggested by the situation. Washington sent Generals Arnold and Speneer to the assistance of the army in Rhode Island and in January they assumed full charge of operations.
The attitude of the hostile forees on Rhode Island and the nearby shores was certain sooner or later to bring on a conflict. As a general war measure the military authorities considered sueh an event desir- able. On April 16 Congress recommended that the Rhode Island assembly collect all their forees at once and attack the enemy on the Island. Massachusetts and Conneetieut were advised to give all the aid in their power to this movement. Washington appointed General Speneer in command of the proposed expedition, which was to be kept as seeret as possible. Under these recommendations and the aetion of the assembly, and after long delay,1 an army of about 10,000 men was ready for the attaek about the middle of October. The details of this expedition which, after so much preparation, resulted in failure, ean best be told in the words of Dr. Ezra Stiles, to whose diary we so often turn for the narrative of Revolutionary events. In a letter to Henry Marehant, dated October 31, 1777, he says :
"I inquired both of offieers and men the reasons of the failure, and yesterday I met General Speneer and crossed the ferry with him to Providence. The General is full of anticipation and anxiety on the occasion. From him and them I learn that it is pretty generally agreed that things were not in readiness for the deseent till the 19th instant. By this time the army beeame impatient, and an accident then took place which spread a general diseontent and irrecoverable uneasiness through the army. I think none of them impeaeli the General of want of courage, while some eoneeive so momentous an enterprise and the command and ordering of ten thousand men above his capacity. The ineident I allude to is this. 'Tis said that some of the eliaplains raised scruples of conseienee in some of the general
1In March, 1777, the assembly, "being under great concern, that no attempt hath, as yet, been made against the enemy upon Rhode Island, which they consider as a great disgrace to New England in general, and to this State in particular", resolved that it be "strongly recommended to the Honorable Major General Spencer (if it be any way consistent with prudence), to make an attack upon the enemy at Rhode Island"; Governor Cooke, on April 14, 1777, wrote Washington, "When your orders arrived for innoculating our two Continental battalions, we had an expedition on foot to Rhode Island, which was to have been made in two or three days". (R. I. C. R. viii, 215. See also Stiles's Diary, ii, 148.)
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officers against making the descent on the Lord's Day. The General told me that he was not influenced by those supposed scruples. How- ever, the imagination of these disgusted the army, especially as the day was exceedingly fine, and all things otherwise in readiness. This raised a clamor in the army, and the uneasiness was increased by the series of bad weather and succeeding storm which to the conviction of all was a just reason of preventing the descent, nor has there been suitable weather from the 19th till this day which is the first truly fair since. Had the army remained till this evening they might probably have begun November with a successful descent. But the discontent taking place and coming to an incontrollable height at the critical time, broke up the army. Difference of sentiment also arose among the general officers in their Councils of War. It would have been happy had the General been possessed of more precision, determination and decisiveness of conduct. Firmness would have diffused another spirit through the army".1
The general assembly appointed a committee to investigate the causes of the failure of this expedition. A court of inquiry was accordingly held in Providence, November 15; its report exonerated General Spencer from blame and attributed the failure to delay on the part of Palmer's brigade in not having boats ready on the first night assigned for the attack, and to later unfavorable weather. In April of the following year, however, General Sullivan succeeded to the command in Rhode Island. In spite of this ineffectual attempt to bring on a battle, the British had not been entirely unmolested during the summer and fall of 1777. Frequent sorties and skirmishes resulted generally in minor American victories, and the daring and skillfully executed capture of the British General Prescott by Lieuten- ant-Colonel Barton, early in July, brought fame to the captor and hope to his cause.2
1From a copy of a hitherto unpublished letter in the R. I. Hist. Soc. Library. Dr. Stiles further says: "The Council of War consisted of General Spencer, Brigadier General Palmer, whose opinion was against a descent without 8 or 9,000 men; Brigadier General Douglas; Brigadier General Lovell; Brigadier General Cornell; Brigadier General Sherborn, Col. Commnd't, the last two firm for going on. The highest returns of the army were 8,333 about October 13th. The General told me they had boats sufficient to transport 5 or 6,000 at a time. The number of the King's troops on Rhode Island considered about 2,200, but General Spencer affirmates them 3,500. On Monday last, our army began to break up and vanish, being dispirited and giving up the enterprise. The General, perceiving this, was eager to go on and not lose the opportunity. On Tuesday, the 28th, a Council of War determined to go on if the muster should furnish 6,500 men. The muster proved only 5,000, and then it was determined to give up the enterprise.
2For further details of this capture, see the chapter on military history. Original accounts are in Prov. Gazette, July 12, 1777; Cowell's Spirit of '76, p. 148, and Stiles's Diary, ii, 182. See also Diman, Capture of Prescott (R. I.
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The difficulty of keeping up the requisite supply of troops from this state and of properly providing for home defence increased rather than diminished. Desperate efforts were continued through the fall of 1777, and Washington wrote several letters on the subject, not only to Rhode Island, but to the other states. The soldiers were neither adequately paid nor supplied with clothing, and accordingly enlist- ments were difficult to procurc. So serious was the matter that General Varnum wrote home, "The naked situation of the troops when observed parading for duty is sufficient to extort the tears of compas- sion from every human being". The winter of 1777-8 was a severe one upon the inhabitants of this state, as well as upon the troops in the field. In carrying out the taxation plan recommended by the Spring- field convention, Rhode Island was to raise $100,000. The assembly in December voted a tax of £48,000,1 and towards the last of the same month resolved to raise a brigade of 1,500 men to serve one year from the following March. This was, in fact, a re-enlistment of the existing forces as far as they were willing to serve. At about the same time, the British fleet arrived in the Bay for winter quarters, causing renewed alarm. An attack upon Providence was anticipated, many inhabitants left the place, the Council of War met daily, the beacon was made ready, and the surrounding country notified to prepare for defence. As the winter advanced, destitution and suffering increased, particularly among the refugees from Newport, of whom there were over 100 in Providence alone. An appeal was made through the press for aid, and the response was prompt and generous.2
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