■*«fe^s £ 1 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM MS* » V fag £g »« £3313** ■ - Cornell University Library E263.R4 F45 Si Revolutionary defences in Rhode Island 1924 032 738 464 " fh\ *■#*'*■* i ?ffl£ -#£• 2rl '-r w. ^#i ^ * •«5a *3§ «** a 2*.-.*? £;* ,*■ -v*r- ■>*• '-•**r ^v ; S*--*W:"S?-.fc * £•■: *-.r*w '. :** ' Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032738464 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES RHODE ISLAND PROVIDENCE BEACON XVOlinrNKMLY DteNCES n* RHODE ISLAND HfiSt&RJSAt. A060UNT # THE. F®tf IFICAtlONS «M$ kbacons **gc*«D during the American lflp«v«ffli- : -i«^fER R© t LU OJP%B®" ; % ■* . «TATEtiNiJj$ AjLON@: 'Bail. : ' -!#.%. in Rhode Island, page 21 : A copy of the original, certified by Benjamin Boss, is among the Military Papers of the Rhode Island Historical Society. IN RHODE ISLAND Zephaniah Cotnan Morris Corkern Samuel Singleton Jonathan Dolbey William Edmans Bethuel Curtis Abel Ford Joel Hopkins Oliver Hopkins Ephrean Hopkins James Wescot Jotham Hawkins Reuben Hines Jeremiah Walling Hezekiah Medbury Pain Hines Abel Hornton Abram Jones Captain Jeremiah Olney's Fourth Company in Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Regiment of the Army of Observation, 177s. 1 Jeremiah Olney, Captain. Amos Jencks, Lieutenant. Nehemiah Field, Ensign. Holiman Potter, First Sergeant. Thomas Knight, Jr., Second Sergeant. Benjamin Wood * Corporals. Silas Howard Naman Bishop Jere Burlingame John Phillips,* Drummer. Nathan Waterman, Fifer. 1 Cowell's Spirit ofj6 in Rhode Island, page 20. * The names thus marked are found on the list of Captain Joseph Knight's Scituate Company and may serve to indicate the town from which they enlisted when the Army of Obser- vation was raised. RE VOL UTIONAR Y DEFENCES John Manchester * Collins Roberts * Joseph Collins * David Knight * Obadiah Bridges Samuel Eldrich * Joseph Briggs * Rufus Knight Nathan White Eleazer Randall Oliver Jencks Joel Whipple Abel Aldrich Ichabod Richmond John Grant, Jr. Stephen Edwards* William Taylor, Jr. William Jeffers Paskow Austin Simon Jeffers Caleb Nichols John Fuller Caleb Steere * George King Thomas Weaver Oliver Weeks Joseph Bennett * Stukely Westcott Edward Daw Christopher Collins ' William King Allen Briggs Eleazer Clark Peter Cappell Stukely Thornton * Elisha Sarle Thomas Colvin, Jr. Solomon Dailey John Booth Thomas Sarle, Jr. Benjamin Gorton William Edwards James Stone Edward Bennett * Phillip Morris James Wood Joseph Angell Waterman Randall Oliver Bisshop IN RHODE ISLAND g Captain Ethan Clarke's Company, Decem- ber, 1775. 1 Ethan Clarke, Captain. Thomas Cole, Lieutenant. Paul Harrington, Ensign. Joshua Babcock 1 Henry Northrop [ Sergeants. Nicholas Clarke j Jonathan Hazard ] Daniel Stafford I Corporals. David Remington J Nathaniel Plumb, Fifer. Asa Clarke, Drummer. Ebenezer Hill James Shote Robert Perigo Lubius Lewis George Tanner Jonathan Lewis John Gardner Moses Roger Arnold Coon Samuel Bissell William Watson Amos Smith John Popple George Griffith George Popple William Harvey- James Bliven Thomas Duglas Jonathan Goodbed Benedict Brown Joshua Church Daniel Scranton Oliver Frink Stephen Johnson Walter Wordin Nathan Whiting 1 The roll of Captain Clarke's Company is in the custody of the Providence Record Commissioners, and is one of the " Warner Papers,' 7 so called ; it has never before been printed. Missing Page Missing Page 12 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES 1775- to January i, 1776, and the compa- nies in which they were serving at the time Thayer's Company was detached. Simeon Thayer, Captain. Lemuel Bailey, First Lieutenant. Tew's Co. William Humphrey, Second Lieutenant. Aldrich's Co. Thomas Page, First Sergeant. Thayer's Co. Thomas Ellis, Second Sergeant. Thayer's Co. Moses Bryant, Third Sergeant. Field's Co. Samuel Singleton, Fourth Sergeant. Kimball's Co. Moses Cockran, First Corporal. Kimball's Co. James Hayden, Second Corporal. Thayer's Co. Silas Wheeler, Third Corporal. Field's Co. Thomas Low, Fourth Corporal. Thayer's Co. Eleazer Thayer, Private. Thayer's Co. John Thompson, " John Latham, " Field's Co. Elijah Fowler, " Tew's Co. John Bridges, " C. Olney's Co.* Moses Hemenway, " Thayer's Co. James Welch, " Field's Co. James Monk, " Thayer's Co. Silas Hooker, " William Gouge, " " Jacob Good, " John Robinson, " Cornelius Higgarty, " Field's Co. Abraham Jones, " Kimball's Co.j * Dismissed. f Discharged at Cambridge. IN RHODE ISLAND 13 Pasco Austin, Prh Joseph Bosworth, Manie O'Daniel, Elijah Jones, James Stone, John Holley, John Cambridge, David Lawrence, •ate. J. Olney's Co. Field's Co. f J. Olney's Co. a Talbot's Co. Thayer's Co. C. Olney's Co. It will thus be seen that thirty-three of these men belonged to Rhode Island com- panies. 14 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES CHAPTER II. Condition of the Army at Jamaica Plain. — Method of encouraging Enlistments. — Arms and Accoutrements. — Rules adopted for their Care. — Gun-makers and Bayonet- makers. — Powder and Saltpetre Mills erected. The Army of Observation was at once despatched to the seat of war at Boston, and went into camp at Jamaica Plain. Here Nathanael Greene, who had been elected Brigadier-General, assumed command. He found his troops in commotion and disorder; but, through his skilful manage- ment and great personal influence, order was restored and a high grade of discipline there- after maintained. Notwithstanding the hurried way in which the Rhode Island brigade had been placed in the field, it was the best equipped force in the army. Chaplain William Emerson, of Concord, Mass., an observing man, who vis- ited from time to time the various com- mands and made notes of what he observed, says, " the Rhode Islanders are furnished with tent equipage, and everything in the IN RHODE ISLAND 15 most exact English style." With the dis- cipline which Greene's personality inspired, and the completeness of its equipment, the Rhode Island division of the Continental Army was marked and noticeable. Providence Grenadier's Hat. No complete uniform such as was worn by the Rhode Island troops has been found in the various collections in the state, but the uniform hat here represented was the kind worn by the independent company called the Providence Grenadiers, chartered in 1774, and one of the companies that assisted in the construction of the fort on Prospect Hill, 1 6 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES in Providence, in 1777. It is among the col- lection of the Rhode Island Historical So- ciety. A similar hat, differently decorated, worn by the Newport Light Infantry, another independent company chartered about the same time, may be seen in the interesting collection of relics owned by the Newport Artillery. Nothing whatever is known of British Grenadier's Hat. the other Grenadiers' hat, but the symbols of royalty which adorn its front show plainly enough that it was once the property of a sol- dier of His Britannic Majesty. This also be- longs to the Rhode Island Historical Society. About the first of July the army from Rhode Island consisted of three regiments, comprising 107 officers and 10S5 enlisted IN RHODE ISLAND \J men, — nearly the whole number that had been called for. It is within bounds to say that during the years of the war, every loyal able-bodied man in Rhode Island between the ages of sixteen and sixty, performed his share of military service, while there are in- stances where those even younger and older served faithfully in the army and in the coast-guard. Within the little state there was one hundred and thirty miles of coast and two navigable rivers ; the British ships in the lower bay impeded navigation, and all of the seaport towns were subject to depreda- tions by parties from these vessels. They landed all along the shore, drove off and killed the cattle belonging to the farmers, stole their produce, poultry, and other live- stock, and when any resistance was offered even destroyed the homes of the country people. One of the coast-guard stationed near the present village of Wickford said that one night he "counted five fires in various direc- tions, which afterwards were ascertained to have been the burning of houses and barns by the enemy." Every house, save one, on the island of Prudence was thus destroyed. A chain of these guards was kept up all 1 8 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES along the shore, made up of detachments from the several militia companies. It was not necessary at all times to keep a large body in this service, but from time to time the members of companies were summoned to make their appearance to perform " a tower of duty," or relieve others who had already served. The inhabitants were continually on the watch against these attacks and forays, but when the British army landed at Newport the dangers were increased tenfold ; every householder along the seaboard became a guard over his own home and fireside, and was often called upon to stand his watch over that of his neighbor. Soon after the three regiments were despatched to Boston, the work of raising troops was begun. Each town was enlisting its quota and making pro- vision for putting them in the field, armed and equipped for active service. Early in the war, on the 30th of December, 1776, " the Committee of the Four New England States at their meeting in Providence," held for the purpose of " taking into considera- tion the bounties and allowances offered by Congress for enlisting the Continental bat- talions," found that in order to fill up the IN RHODE ISLAND 19 quotas of the different states, it was neces- sary to offer some "encouragement to men to enlist," and they recommended to the several legislatures of the states that cer- tain bounties be furnished. Rhode Island promptly voted to give an " additional bounty of £4. to the £6 heretofore al- lowed," and a blanket each year; to this the several towns in the state made liberal allowances. Besides the state bounty of one hundred silver dollars, Hopkinton voted to add " fifty bushels of Indian corn." In Woonsocket, in 1778, those who en- listed received from the town ^"35, in addition to the state bounty of ^20, and were also furnished with " a uniform coat, 2 waist coats, 2 pairs of breeches, 3 shirts, 3 pairs stockings, 2 pairs shoes, 1 hunting shirt, and 1 pair of overalls." At another time, those who enlisted and furnished their own arms and accoutre- ments received a bounty of 48 shillings, while those who were without equipments received 36 shillings. Woonsocket seems to have been gener- ous indeed with her soldiers. The town of Westerly approached her soldiery in a differ- ent manner. She appealed to them in a 20 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES popular way, and voted " Three gallons of Rum to treat the soldiers enlisted and to encourage those that have a mind to enlist." The method by which recruits were en- listed from Rhode Island into the Continental Army is illustrated by the plates. They refer to a special draft that was made on the state in the summer of 1780. The origi- nals are preserved among the manuscripts belonging to the city of Providence. In July, 1780, General Washington called upon the state of Rhode Island for six hun- dred and thirty able-bodied, effective men for three months' service, and the General Assembly forthwith ordered that number enlisted into the Continental Army. Each town was ordered to supply a certain num- ber of men, the number which Providence was to furnish being forty-two. On the 14th of July the entire number had been enlisted, of which William Phetti- place and Felix Holbrook were numbered 37 and 38 respectively. Three days before, these two men signed the prescribed form of enlistment paper, took the oath of engage- ment before a justice of the peace, and were mustered into service. For thus enlisting they were entitled to a WE the Sub{ as Soldiei Providence P latitat rica ;' in whofe S until the Firft Da nerai Congrefs of to all the Orders j faithfully to obfer Time receive fron tinfi d&ru KJhi V07D >^J»v ^<^ ^-^ ^)tf£& 4&CT ^*- * ^C5 i '^L>*^wL- £3 c^s5^ i^^wA ^ ^ ^ IN RHODE ISLAND 21 bounty, which in this case was " fifty Spanish milled dollars," or " hard dollars," as they were sometimes called. This bounty money was paid to the sol- dier by the town treasurer upon presentation of a certificate signed by one of the field-offi- cers of the regiment to which the recruit had been assigned. Colonel Bowen's Cartridge Box. From the records of Hopkinton a good idea of the style of the cartridge or cartouch boxes used by the Continentals is obtained; for it was provided that the cartridge boxes to be furnished the Hopkinton soldiers 22 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES " shall hold nine rounds each and made in good plain manner, the covering to be sheep- skin and the flaps to be horseskin." All of the cartridge boxes supplied to the Rhode Island troops were not like this, however. The writer has one, which formerly be- Colonel Sherburne's Cartridge Box. longed to a soldier in a Smithfield company, and which held seventeen cartridges. The cartridge box belonging to Colonel Jabez Bowen, one of the most active men in Providence during the Revolution, is of the IN RHODE ISLAND 23 regulation pattern of that period and held twenty-six cartridges. The other is of a different character, made to buckle around the waist, not unlike the sportsman's cartridge belt of modern times ; it is made of cloth, and trimmed with red and white braid. This was formerly the property of Colonel Henry Sherburne, commanding one of the Rhode Island regiments during the war. Some of the cartridges are yet remaining in it. The first belongs to the Rhode Island, while the latter belongs to the Newport Histori- cal Society. The eruns with which the men were fur- nished were of various kinds, and were usually called firelocks. They were almost entirely flintlocks ; for it was not until fifty years after the Revolution that the percus- sion lock came into general use, although invented in 1807. At a time when every- thing in the shape of a firearm was in demand, it is quite likely that some of the soldiers were equipped with the old match- lock and snaphaunce, the precursor of the flintlock. These guns were of many pat- terns and calibers ; it was on this account that the town of Westerly voted " That the 24 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES store of lead now in the town be run into bullets for firearms of several sizes." On the 6th of February, 1777, General Washington, from his headquarters at Mor- ristown, wrote to Governor Cooke : — " Sir : — As the arrival of a sufficient quantity of small arms from Europe, in time to arm the Continental troops, is a matter of great uncertainty, proper steps should be immediately taken in your state to collect all that can be purchased from private people. " The custom of hiring them for the campaign is attended with many bad con- sequences ; the owners take little care of them, and carry them away and sell or change them, as they please. " Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the firelock ; no light trash arms should, on any account, be received in the public stores ; if they are not sub- stantial, both in lock and barrel, they should be thrown upon the hands of the commissary who purchased them. " I have the honor to be, sir, " Your most obedient servant, " Go. Washington." ELBRIDGE GERRY'S WILLIAM ELLERY'S GUN GUN From the collection of the Newport Historical Society IN RHODE ISLAND 25 The gun on the left in the illustration was owned by Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts, and has engraved upon the brass stock plate " E. Gerry, 1774," while the other was the property of William Ellery of Rhode Island, another signer of the Declara- tion, who left it in his will to his son. Both these historic relics are now in the posses- sion of the Newport Historical Society, hav- ing been deposited there by grandsons of these distinguished patriots. They illustrate the type of firearms generally in use during the war, one being of the regulation musket pattern with bayonet attached, while the other, a much lighter arm, is usually called a " fowling-piece." Anticipating the manner in which the troubles with the mother country would ter- minate, Jeremiah Hopkins of Coventry, as early as 1774, petitioned the General Assem- bly to grant him the benefit of a lottery for raising the sum of $200, to purchase works and tools ; for, as he states in his petition, "he sufficiently understands the business of a gunsmith, so as to make guns, or small arms, with advantage to himself, and to others, by whom guns are much wanted at 26 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES this time when they cannot be imported from Great Britain." His petition was granted, and a committee appointed to see that his lottery was fairly conducted. On September 12, 1775, Barnard Eddy, having been directed by a vote of the town of Providence to make a list of the men and arms, presented his report. It showed that there were 569 arms in the town, 502 of which belonged to the inhabitants, while 67 belonged to the public stock ; by what Eddy called a " Roof Account " in this report, it appears that there were 600 men in the town. A year later another cen- sus of the '' arms and men " was taken, showing 726 men and 497 arms. These proportions doubtless show the condition of the colony in this important munition of war. Early in 1775 the manufacture of firearms was com- menced in Providence, and the archives of the city contain many of the bills rendered for those used in supplying the Providence companies. Elihu Peck made gun stocks, while Edward Martin, Stephen Jenckes, Thomas Bicknell, Prince Keene, and others made guns, bayonets, and ramrods. " 20 gun barrels with bayonets and ramrods " IN RHODE ISLAND 27 cost ,£28 or 28 shillings a set, while for " Stocking 30 guns," Elihu Peck's bill was ,£15-15-11. Edward Martin's bill, rendered the town August 4, 1775, included the items: — 54 sts gun trimmings @ 6/ £16- 4 88 prs swivels @ 9/ 3-6 119 sets scabbard hooks & plates @ 5d 2- 9-7 21-19-7 It is confidently believed that the arms thus supplied were " no light trash arms " either. These guns when turned over to the town were carefully guarded, and the following rules were adopted regulating their use : — " 1. That the Town Arms & Accoutre- ments be Devided into three equal Divi- sions : to be lodged in the hands of three dis- creet men one in each District of the Town — Viz. above or near the Court House, below or near the bridge and at or near Muddy bridge in Weybosset Street. " 2nd. That they be by them respec- tively, safely kept, clean, & in good order, and not to be delivered out or lent on any occa- sion whatever but to the Order of some one of the Field Officers of the Providence 28- REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Batalion, or to the Order of their Superior Officers, to & for the use of Persons In- habitants of the Town of Providence, on General Musters & Field Days of their Re- spective Companies — saving and Excepting Times of General Alarm — [when Necessity- will not admit of being restrained by Rules] " 3rd. That Such Officers, to whose Order the Arms &c. shall be delivered out as afore- said shall Immediatly after the Occasion for them be over, cause the same to be returned, in good order as when delivered out, which shall discharge his said orders, and if any Arms or Accoutrements shall be missing & not returned, so many as are returned shall be indorsed on each order & the same shall remain in the hands of the Person who delivered out such Arms, and shall be his protection from any demand from the Town against him for any Arms & Accoutrements lost or missing as aforesaid, and be also security to the Town to demand & recover the Arms &c. or the value thereof from the drawer of the Order as aforesaid. " 4th. That on all General Alarms, upon Orders from the Officers in Chief Present, or in writing — Each person having the care of said Arms &c. shall distribute the same, IN RHODE ISLAND 29 to the Officers of the several Military Com- panies in Providence, taking down the num- ber delivered to each and if any remain after they are supplied to such Free Persons either White or Black, who he may know to belong to the Town of Providence and whom he may judge suitable to use them, taking their names down and what they receive — which Account rendered to the Town shall dis- charge him and make those charged with the receipt thereof liable to return them in good Order or Pay the Town the Full Expense & Value of Procuring others in their room — On Demand — unless the Town upon appli- cation shall think fit to remit the same or any part thereof. " 5th. And if any Person belonging to a Neighbouring Town should happen to be in this Town at the time of any Alarm — and there should be a surplussage of Arms after the Inhabitants are as aforesaid sup- plied — In such case the keepers thereof may deliver out the Arms &c. remaining to any persons of Character known to them re- questing the same taking down their names &c. as aforesaid which shall render them lia- ble to return them — or Pay the Town in case of loss — in Manner as the Inhabitants 30 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES of this Town are liable by the preceding Article. " 6th. That all Arms & Accoutrements which may suffer damage in The Actual Service of the Public, thro' unavoidable ac- cidents shall be repaired — at the Expense of the Town [notwithstanding any thing in the preceding rules] upon proper proof to the Town Treasurer. " 7th. That the Town Treasurer, shall prosecute all persons delinquent — and not conforming to the above regulations within six days, after information shall be given him thereof by the keepers of Arms respectively — and each Keeper of sd Arms is hereby en- joined to give information of such delinquent to the Treasurer, within two days after the time expires — in which such Arms &c. may be returned. "Providence, November 20th 1775. " We the subscribers being appointed by the Town to procure a Number of Fire Arms & Accoutrements for Town Stock do report that we have Eighty Fire Arms & about One hundred Cartouch Boxes ready to deliver to the Town and a number of others which will be com- pleted in a short time — we also agree- IN RHODE ISLAND 31 able to the Order of the Town Report the within regulations for the same. " And are the Towns Very Humble Servants, " Benj. Thurber, Jona. Arnold, " Elihu Robinson, Paul Allen, " David Lawrence, J no. Mathewson." Nathan Miller of East Greenwich was an " Excellent Bayonet-maker " and when he was drafted to serve his turn in the guard at the Warwick Neck station, a general peti- tion was sent from that town and " adjacent parts of Warwick " praying that he might be excused from this duty, and the reason given was that his services were " much wanted in the Country at Present" to make these important articles of warfare. This petition was duly considered, and by order of General Spencer he was excused. So great was the demand for skilled labor in the manufacture of war material, that the General Assembly was frequently resorted to for legislation, exempting men thus em- ployed from serving in the military force. In 1776, George Tefft and Jeremiah Shef- field, members of the Kingstown Reds, one of the independent companies, were recom- mended to their officers to be excused from 32 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES duty, as they were then employed in " mak- ing and stocking guns," and about the same time John Wells and Waterman Williams, workmen at the paper mill, were also excused from service, for the reason, as the record says, that " the state will be deprived of car- tridge paper, which is at present very much needed," if these men were taken from the mill and compelled to serve in the detach- ments on guard duty. Many of the soldiers instead of cartridge boxes used powder-horns made from cows' horns, and many of these old relics are yet preserved, covered with quaint inscriptions and curious carvings made by their owner when in camp, at idle moments. The most interesting of these which has come to the writer's attention is in the collection of Revolutionary relics at Washington's head- quarters at Valley Forge. It is not a Rhode Island relic, but was the work of a Connec- ticut soldier, and is thus inscribed : — " Jabez Rockwell Ridgebury Conn His Horn made in camp at Valley Forge. It was first used at Monmouth, June 28, 1778; last used at Yorktown, 1781." IN RHODE ISLAND 33 It has passed through most of the thrilling events of the war and now finds itself back again near the place where Jabez Rockwell fashioned it for use. In Providence, Barrington, and other towns, men were specially appointed, charged with making the town's stock of powder up into cartridges. Wooden Canteen. Another necessary equipment was the canteen; those used during the Revolution were of wood of various capacities, holding from a pint to two quarts; they are frequently met with nowadays, and are often marked 34 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES with the owner's initials and a date. In 1776, the town of East Greenwich voted to provide a sufficient number of " wooden can- teens with lines to sling them with," for the soldiers enlisted to fill up the town's quotas. The town of Warren appointed Henry Ormsbee to furnish its militia with camp furniture, mess pots, mess pails, mess bowls, narrow axes, and baggage wagons, and the state provided that the allowance to the soldiers in camp for provisions should be " one pound of bread, one pound of beef or pork, a half penny for vegetables, half a gill of rice, one pint of milk, one quart of beer per day, and one pint of molasses per week." In 1775 fish, butter, vinegar, and soap were also provided at stated intervals, but this was in the early days of the struggle ; three years later no such rations were to be had. The position of the troops had been shifted from the hospitable neighborhood of Boston to the bleak and barren hills at Valley Forge, and, says one, " a part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days," and Hamilton wrote to Clinton, " For some days past there has been little less than a famine in the camp." IN RHODE ISLAND 35 Nor was this condition confined to any one locality, for Captain Asa Waterman, a deputy commissary of issues, wrote from Provi- dence, May 3, 1779, to Commissary Peter Colt at Wethersfield, Conn. : — " This morning waited on Major-Gen- eral Gates. He informed me the distressed condition this Department is in for want of Flour. The troops are very uneasy and constantly mutinizing for want of bread, and request I would do everything in my power to see them supplied. . . . The General further informs me he has rec'd intelligence of a number of troops embark- ing, which, by Information, is Destined for Newport, and if they arrive he must call in the Militia, and what he shall be able to do without Bread he can't tell." Each town was required to have an am- munition cart, and to furnish its share of blankets, stockings, and other articles of clothing. The demand for blankets was incessant, and officers were specially author- ized to " borrow or purchase " all that they could, and were even directed by warrant from the Governor to take them from the homes of the inhabitants, but were required 36 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES to keep strict account of those thus taken, for which the state would be accountable. Committees were appointed to take an account of the powder, arms, and ammuni- tion throughout the colony, including private arms as well as those belonging to the pub- lic stock, and every man in the colony was ordered to equip himself completely. The old queen's arm, that had hung on the wall covered with dust and grime, was taken from its resting-place, cleaned, and brightened, and noted in the "list of arms fit for use." All was excitement and activity in the militia. " Not a day passes, Sundays excepted," says the Providence Gazette, " but some of the companies are under arms, so well con- vinced are the people that the complex- ion of the times renders a knowledge of the military art indispensably necessary." The Continental Army, when it took the field, was so curiously uniformed and equipped that it at once attracted the attention of the officers of the well-organ- ized regiments that had been sent out from England, and caused them much amuse- ment. " No regiment is properly uniformed or armed. Every man has a common gun," wrote one of the British officers. IN RHODE ISLAND 37 Many of the commissioned officers in the American army were ignorant of military methods. They had hurriedly left the plough, shop, or forge to take the position to which they had been chosen in the mili- tia, and what they knew of tactics and dis- cipline was mostly acquired after they had entered the service. The British were "often astonished at the number of military books found in the knapsacks of the officers." One of these books, which was carried in the knapsacks of two Rhode Island officers, is yet preserved. 1 When the Barrington company took up its station in Boston in 1775, Thomas Allen was the captain and Viall Allen ensign. Neither had much, if any, military experi- ence, and, like others, they proceeded at once to obtain a book to study up the art of war. The work they purchased was entitled, An Easy Plan of Discipline for a Militia, by Timothy Pickering, Jr. It was " printed in Salem, New England," by Samuel and Ebenezer Hall, 1775, and was, doubtless, published to meet the demand then being 1 The property of the Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, of Provi- dence, R.I. 38 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES made. On the stained fly-leaf there is writ- ten " Thomas & Viall Allen. Theire Book Bought at Watertown, 1775." From this book Thomas Allen and Viall Allen ob- tained their first military knowledge. The excellent use they made of it is shown in the result ; for the former rose to the rank of brigadier-general, while the latter obtained a captain's commission. The English and Hessian officers continually ridiculed the character of the officers in the Continental troops. Among them " are many so-called colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors, and other officers, who, however, are nothing but me- chanics, tailors, shoemakers, wigmakers, bar- bers, etc.," so wrote Colonel Von Heesingen, commanding a Hessian regiment. And all of this was, to a great extent, true. Na- thanael Greene operated a forge ; Stephen Olney was a farmer; Silas Talbot was a stonemason ; Ezekiel Cornell was a me- chanic ; William Barton, a hatter. Notwith- standing this sarcasm, however, these critics found later that shoemakers, wigmakers, and barbers made good officers, and were, in the end, more successful than the output from the military schools of Europe. With the raising of troops came the great IN RHODE ISLAND 39 question of supplying them with the mate- rial necessary to maintain an army in the field. There was no depot of supplies from which the army could be equipped, and each state was left to its own resources. In Rhode Island each town provided equip- ments for its quota, while the colony itself undertook to furnish the armament for its forts and batteries, powder, shot, lead, and flints. Early in January, 1776, the firm of Jacob Greene and Company had supplied to the colony " six new double-fortified four-pound cannon with their carriages, together with one hundred and thirty round shot, six bags of grape shot, some sliding and bar shot, with ladles, rammers, sponges, worms, &c," the whole valued at ^"100 sterling. The projectiles named in the list include nearly all of those used in heavy guns at that period. There was another, however, called a " carcasse," which was a shell filled with combustibles to be thrown in bombarding a town or against shipping. Many of these latter projectiles were used in the bombard- ment of Bristol. All of those shown in the group were probably discharged in the bat- tle on Rhode Island in August, 1778. The 40 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES large shell was taken from the ground near the base of Bliss Hill, in Middletown, and was quite likely thrown from the American work on Honeyman's Hill, and fell without exploding. The bar shot on the right was dug up in Thames Street, Newport, while the other was taken from the water of New- port Harbor, directly in front of the North Battery (Fort Greene). The two sections of shot are what formed one end of a chain shot, two balls being connected with a short section of chain which was cast into the shot. All of these, with the exception of that taken from the harbor, have been found in the earth around Newport, and are among the valuable collection of relics in the pos- session of the Newport Historical Society. The most necessary munition of war was gunpowder, and, to encourage the manufact- ure of it, a premium of ^"30 was voted to any person who should erect a powder mill and manufacture five hundredweight of good powder. The ruins of one of these powder mills formerly stood near the Goddard or Waterman road in Johnston, not far from the little hamlet known as Caesarville. The trench, which can now be seen crossing the road, serves approximately to identify the lo- IN RHODE ISLAND 41 cation of this mill. This property was pur- chased of the state by Isaac Olney, and by him, in 1797, sold to William Goddard. The deeds of this transfer refer to it as " the lot on which the Powder Mill stood." It has been sometimes called the Mud Mill lot, and is perhaps better known by that name. A bounty of three shillings a pound was al- lowed on every pound of saltpetre made in the colony previous to August 26, 1776. But the manufacture of gunpowder was a new industry for the colony. Heretofore it had mostly been imported, the people de- pending largely on the other countries for their supply. These sources of obtaining it were now liable to be cut off, and, as it was not likely that the mills so hurriedly erected and equipped would be able to produce a quantity and quality that could be relied on, the colony agreed to purchase all the gun- powder imported before the first of April, 1777, at three shillings a pound. Saltpetre mills were also built, one of which was in East Greenwich, and was operated by Richard Mathewson. It was located on what is now Division Street, near the old windmill grounds. This lot is even to-day known as the " saltpetre lot." REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES CHAPTER III. The Providence Beacon. — Fox Hill Fort. — Rules and Reg- ulations for its Conduct. — Trial of the Beacon. — Notice to the Country. — Master and Wardens of the Beacon. — Tonomy Hill, Scituate, and Cumberland Beacons. — Watch at Tower Hill. The news of the battle of Bunker Hill filled the inhabitants of Rhode Island with terror and alarm. A peaceful adjustment of the grievances of the colonies was now im- possible. The blow had been struck ; and if, before, diplomacy could have averted the impending storm, the time had passed for such a settlement. The Continental Congress at this time had particularly urged upon the inhabitants of the seaport towns in the colonies, the necessity of strongly fortifying such ports and taking such other precautions as might be expedient ; this had been promptly en- dorsed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, on June 28, 1775. The first act of precaution taken at Provi- dence was the erection of a beacon to alarm IN RHODE ISLAND 43 the country about, in case of the approach of an enemy. This action was taken at a town meeting held on July 3, 1775. A week later, a committee consisting of Joseph Brown, Joseph Bucklin, and Benjamin Thurber were appointed to " erect a beacon on the hill to the eastward of the town to alarm the coun- try in case of an enemy's approach." The hill selected for the location of this beacon was that now called Prospect or Col- lege Hill, and the spot was near what is now the corner of Prospect and Meeting streets. A beacon had been erected here more than a century before, in May, 1667, during the troublesome times with the Indians. This undertaking was commenced at once. The Providence Gazette, on July 29, 1775, in- formed its readers that " a beacon is now erecting on a very high hill in the town by order of the Honorable General Assem- bly. A watch is likewise kept on Tower Hill in case of any attempt by water from our savage enemies." Great activity was going on in the various military companies in the colony, and the people were alive to the situation, and were diligently at work. As early as January, 1 775, Stephen Jenckes, 44 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES of North Providence, had supplied to several of the military companies muskets of his own manufacture, and by the middle of June, Mr. Paul Allen had made up the town stock of powder and lead into cartridges, agreeable to a vote of the town ; these he was directed to deliver to such of the inhabitants as he thought would make a proper use of them, and to take a receipt for the number deliv- ered. That these cartridges might not be wasted, a promise was exacted to return them on demand, if not used in the colony's ser- vice. Not more than seventeen cartridges for each firearm fit for use was to be deliv- ered, and a fine of ninepence in lawful money was imposed for each missing cartridge at any ordered review. On the 20th of July, 1775, news of a startling nature was received from Newport. The British ships, under the command of Captain James Wallace, lay in a line of battle, with the intention of bombarding the town. The greatest excitement prevailed through- out the colony. Two days later the British commander, probably realizing the impor- tance of Newport as a rendezvous, abandoned this intention and withdrew his fleet. IN RHODE ISLAND 45 At Providence the news of the departure of Wallace was gladly welcomed ; for, had the British commander desired, nothing was in his way to prevent his vessels from sailing into the harbor and laying waste all within his reach, for the defences of the town were entirely inadequate to cope with the British ships. Newport had been left unharmed, but no one knew how soon the fleet would return. In consequence of this proposed attack, the inhabitants of Providence resolved to take immediate action toward the town's further defence. A town meeting was convened July 31, 1775, and the Hon. Nicholas Cooke chosen moderator ; little business other than that appertaining to the defence of the town was transacted at this meeting. Fortifications were ordered built on Fox Hill, at Fox Point, and intrenchments and breastworks were ordered "to be hove up between Field's and Sassafras points of suffi- cient capacity to cover a body of men ordered there on any emergency." Captain Nicholas Power was directed to superintend their construction, and was or- dered to advise and consult with Captain 46 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Esek Hopkins, Ambrose Page, Captain John Updike, Samuel Nightingale, Jr., Captain William Earle, and Captain Simon Smith, who were made a committee on the manner of building these fortifications. A battery of six iS-pounders was ordered to be located at the Fox Hill fort, and four cannon to be mounted as field-pieces. This committee was also ordered to draw up a set of rules for the conduct of the Fox Point Battery, and this they did, presenting it to the town meeting, August 29, 1775, for its approval. It is a most remarkable mili- tary paper, and shows the crude way in which such affairs were managed in the early days of the Revolution. It is as follows : — " Regulations of the Fox Point Battery Drawn by Committee Presented to the Town in Town Meeting August 29 1 775-" " Voted one capt E Hopkins be appointed to comrad the Battery at Fox Hill '"' Voted one luft that Samuel Warner " Voted one gunner Christopher Sheldon " do 7 men to each gun Including offi- cers that such be select'd from the town Inhabits, as are acq'd with the use of IN RHODE ISLAND 47 Cannon and doe not belong to Any of the Independt. Companys who Attend- ing this Duty be excused from the Militia Duties. " Voted that the Battery compy Appt a capt & gunner for Each Gun out of their compy. " Voted that upon any person quiting the Battery compy the officers thereunto Belonging have power to sellect others as above said to keep their number complete " Voted that two Persons be app'd to Guard said Battery on Day who shall attend there on morning to Relieve the Night watch and Tarry until the Evening watch is Sett. " Voted that the Great Guns be No & Each persons name who belong to said Guns be Wrote on a Card & stuck on the Gun they may belong to that they may know where to repair in case of an Alarm — Vot'd that the Capt. Lieut & Gunner of said Battery have the Care of preparing & keeping the Stores Be- longing Thereto in Good Order " Voted that the Battery Compy Exercise their cannon once a month or oftener - Committee." 48 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES to Perfect themselves in the use of Great Guns. " It is recomended that 2 more 18 pounders be mounted at the Battery at Fox Hill. "William Earle " Simon Smith "John Updike " Esek Hopkins " Ambrose Page " Saml Nightingale Jr. The location of the Fox Hill fort is shown on an old map of the town of Provi- dence made by Daniel Anthony in 1803, but on account of the many changes that have from time to time been made in this vicinity its exact location is somewhat uncertain ; but the square now bounded by Brook, Thomp- son, and Tockwotten streets covers the ground on which this important work was erected. A high bluff lay to the south of the fort ; but this, like a greater portion of the hill, has been cut away to bring the streets in the district to grade. Nothing remains there to-day to remind us of the days of the Revolution. The committee having in charge the erection of these defences appointed Captain IN RHODE ISLAND 49 Samuel Warner to take charge of the Fox Hill fort upon its completion, with all its guns, stores, and material. The engine house, which stood next to the market house (City Building, where the Board of Trade is now located), partly over the water, and wherein was located one of the town's fire- engines, was ordered removed to the fort at Fox Hill to be used as a guard-house. Meanwhile the beacon approached com- pletion, and the committee under whose direction it had been built was ordered " to fire the same on Thursday the 17th day of August, at the setting of the sun, and that they procure one thousand handbills to be printed to advertise the country thereof, that proper observations may be made of the bearings of the beacon from different parts of the country, and that they notify the country that the beacon will not be fired at any time after August 1 7th, unless the town or some part of the colony should be attacked by an enemy, in which case the beacon will be fired and three cannon discharged to alarm the country that they may immedi- ately repair to the town, duly equipped with arms and accoutrements." These handbills were at once printed, and 50 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES widely scattered about the neighboring coun- try. They read as follows : — " Providence Beacon. " The Town of Providence to the inhabitants of the towns adjacent: " Loving Friends and Brethren : In con- sequence of the recommendation of the Con- tinental Congress that those seaport towns, which are principally exposed to the ravages and depredations of our common enemies, should be fortified and put into as good a state of defence as may be, which has also received the approbation of the legislature of this colony ; besides a strong battery and intrenchments on the river, there has been lately erected on the greatest eminence in this town, A Beacon for the purpose of alarming the country whenever it shall be- come necessary in our defence, and as we doubt not of the readiness of our friends and brethren, both within and without this government, to give us every assistance in their power on such an occasion if timely apprized thereof. This is, therefore, to in- form you that it is our urgent request that you all hold yourselves in readiness, and IN RHODE ISLAND 51 whenever you see said Beacon on fire you immediately and without delay, with the best accoutrements, warlike weapons, and stores you have by you, repair to the town of Providence, there to receive from the mili- tary officers present such orders as may be given by the authority of this jurisdiction for our common safety and defence. In case of an alarm we intend to fire the Beacon, and also discharge cannon to notify all to look out for the Beacon. Be it observed and carefully remembered that the discharge of cannon Alone is not an alarm, but the firing of the Beacon itself, even without cannon, will be an alarm in all cases, except- ing on Thursday, the 17th inst., at sunset, when the Beacon will be fired not as an alarm, but that all may ascertain its bear- ings and fix such ranges as may secure them from a false alarm, and that they may know where to look for it hereafter. Whenever you hear cannon look out for the Beacon." This same notice was published in the Gazette, on August 12, in order to give additional warning of this trial. At the time appointed the beacon was put to a test, and it was clearly demonstrated that it would serve the purpose for which it 52 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES had been built ; for a letter, received by the publisher of the Gazette, stated that it was observed over a wide area of country, ex- tending from Cambridge Hill to New Lon- don and Norwich, and from Newport to Pomfret. It is also stated that many of the inhabitants of the neighboring country, not understanding the nature of this signal fire, hurriedly left their homes and promptly re- paired to Providence all armed and equipped, imagining that the town was about to be attacked by the enemy. The beacon itself was a simple affair, consisting of a spar or mast, some eighty odd feet in height, securely braced at the foundation ; wooden pegs for steps, at regular intervals, enabled those managing it to ascend to the " kettle," which hung from an iron crane or mast-arm. This kettle was filled with inflammable stuff so as to produce a brilliant light. The material of which the beacon was built is shown by the following bill, yet pre- served among the documentary possessions of the city of Providence. in rhode island 53 " The Town of Providence To N. Angell, Dr. 1775- July 25 To 1 Spar for Beacon ^2.8 Did. Joseph Brown [Endorsement.] Pay the within Ace. to Nathan Angell it being for the Use of the Town for the Beacon, Two pounds Eight shillings To James Arnold, Town Treasr., Joseph Brown, Received the above, Pr. Jas. Angell." Solomon Drowne, Jr., writing to his brother in Mendon, Mass., August 12, 1775, said: — " I herewith send you a handbill, pub- lished to be sent into the country for in- forming the inhabitants of our beacon, &c. The beacon-pole mast, or whatever you please, is raised on the hill, not very far above the powder house, nearly opposite the church ; the top of it, I have heard said, is about eighty feet higher than the top of the new meeting-house steeple which, perhaps you have heard, is up- wards of one hundred and eighty feet 54 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES from the ground. Judge what an ex- treme view it commands. If this reaches you before the 17th inst, I wish you would go up on the hill near your habi- tation at the time appointed, and direct your eye towards Providence, to descry, if possible, that light, on which one time, perhaps, our safety may in a considerable measure depend." If William Drowne complied with his brother's request, he must have seen, from the green hills of Mendon, the glare of this watch-fire that August night. Mr. Joseph Brown was appointed to the office of " Mas- ter of the Beacon," and James Marvin, James Berry, James Wheaton, and Abimelech Riggs were " appointed Wardens to rig the kettle, &c. when orders are Given to alarm the country." A house was constructed at the base of this beacon, wherein to store the combusti- bles, so as to be ready at a moment's warning. Beacons were established on the high lands in other parts of the colony to further the spreading of news, in case of any unusual demonstration or attack by the enemy. Be- sides the Providence beacon there was a IN RHODE ISLAND 55 similar one erected, on Tonomy Hill on the island of Rhode Island. A trial of this was made June 20, 1776, but no record is found regarding the arc of illumination. Another was in Cumberland, on the hill now called Beacon Pole Hill; and a hole drilled in a rock, which caps the summit of the hill, is shown as the location of this signal. Yet another was on Chopmist Hill in Scituate. Here Squire Williams was stationed as a guard and keeper of the bea- con during most of the time when the British were located within the borders of the state. It does not appear these latter signals were ever lighted. In June, 1775, a post was established on Tower Hill in South Kingstown, for the pur- pose of giving " intelligence to the northern counties in case any squadron of ships should be seen off." Job Watson was appointed to this important station, with orders, that in case he should discover an enemy's fleet, to give immediate warning, whereupon the alarm companies in the northern counties were directed to immediately repair to Provi- dence. 5 6 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES CHAPTER IV. Intrenchments at Field's Point and Sassafras Point. — Bombardment of Bristol. — John Howland's Narrative. — Works at Kettle Point and Pawtuxet. — Fort Independ- ence. — Cost of the Work. — Boom and Chain. — The Redoubts on the Road to the Upper Ferry. During the latter part of August, 1775, the British ships cruising about the bay threatened an attack on Providence, and the batteries in the harbor were manned, and the militia assembled under arms ; the enemy, however, did not approach the town. Before August 30, the fort at Fox Hill had been completed and was ready for ser- vice ; on that day Thomas Gilman was sta- tioned at the fort as a permanent guard. The works in the lower harbor, between Field's and Sassafras points had also been completed by the hard work of the towns- men. Solomon Drowne, in the letter to his brother, already referred to, says, regarding these latter defences : — " One day last week Mr. Compton, with one of the Light Infantry drummers and IN RHODE ISLAND 57 two of the Cadet fifers, went round to notify the sons of freedom who had the public good and safety at heart to repair to Hacker's wharf, with such im- plements as are useful in intrenching, where a boat was ready to take them on board and transport them to the shore between Sassafras and Field's Point. About sixty of us went in a packet, many had gone before, some in J. Brown's boat, &c, so when all had got there the number was not much short of 200. I don't know that ever I worked harder a day in my life before. With what had been done by a number that went the day before, we threw up a breast- work that extended near one quarter of a mile. '.' A large quantity of bread was carried down, and several were off catching qua- haugs, which were cooked for dinner a la mode de Indian. " The channel runs at not a great dis- tance from this shore so that when cousin Wallace comes up to fire our town, his men who work the ship can easily be picked down by small arms, from our in- trenchment, which is designed principally 5S REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES for musqueteers. However we have a little twentyfication growing at Fox Point, where six pretty lusty bulldogs are to be placed ; perhaps this creature may grow into a fortification in time." To further corroborate this the bill of William Compton, the town sergeant, which was rendered to the town about this time, contains this item : — " August 2, to warning the town to work on fortifications, -4-0 B 111 r 11 n. '.'■ o Ill n — > ( > IC u- o ( ) IL m C < M (/} in Q V) :- ■a' l/l i K < IU o 2 s.: f- — IV 0) o p J ,: .J ^ o - IN RHODE ISLAND 59 The result of a portion of this labor by the inhabitants has been called Robin Hill Fort. It is still well preserved, and is located on the bluff overlooking the river, in the rear of the spot where the powder house once stood ; southward from it was the line of intrenchments running along the edge of the bluff. Of these, however, there is little now remaining. During the intervening time, until Octo- ber, 1775, the town was not in great danger from an attack by the enemy, but the bom- bardment of Bristol, the 7th of this month, again aroused the townsmen to the dangers which might follow, if the British ships should continue up the river. John Howland, of Providence, then a boy of eighteen years, belonged to one of the military companies which marched to New- port to protect that town from the depreda- tions of Wallace. He was an eye-witness to this attack on Bristol, and in his remi- niscences says : — " No houses were burnt by Wallace, as he did not land any men, but kept up a severe cannonade ; and from his bomb brig threw several shells among the 60 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES houses, which did but little damage. Of this transaction I was a witness, as Cap- tain Tallman's Company of minutemen, to which I belonged, and Captain Power's Company were stationed on the Dudley and Bannister farms, not far from New- port. I saw Wallace with his fleet when they got under way between Cost Harbor and Gould Island, and as he sailed slowly up the river, we commenced our march in range with him. As it was our business to attack any men he might attempt to land, we kept even pace with him, till we arrived at Bristol Ferry, when one of his fleet grounded on the extreme northwest point of the island. " Wallace with the rest of his squadron came, too, waiting for the tide to rise to float the grounded one. Several of our minutemen, without any orders of the of- ficers, ran across the meadow, near as possible to the grounded vessel, and dis- charged their muskets at her. " Wallace then brought two of his larg- est ships to bear upon them and by re- peated broadsides tore up the turf among them. They all began the retreat up- hill to the road, and came tumbling IN RHODE ISLAND 6 1 over the stone-wall among us. It was dark when the vessel floated, and Wal- lace stood with all his fleet for Bristol Harbor. We stood on the high ground near the ferry, and saw the flash of his guns, which appeared to be mostly dis- charged in broadsides ; but such was the state of the air we could hear none of the report, though only four miles off. In Providence they were heard distinctly." Howland made this statement to correct a story which had been published and exten- sively circulated, that on this occasion much damage was done to the town by the British ships. It was reserved to a later day for Bristol to suffer from the hands of the enemy. Following this affair at Bristol, the works at Kettle Point and Pawtuxet were thrown up, batteries were located all along the seaboard, and permanent guards were estab- lished. Another fort was considered neces- sary for the safety of Providence ; and at a town meeting held October 26, 1775, a com- mittee was appointed, authorized " to direct where, and in what manner, fortifications shall be made upon the hill to the south- ward of the house of William Field." A 62 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES portion of this ancient dwelling is yet stand- ing, although the land about it is materially changed ; for what was then the garden and door-yard of William Field's house has been t^ fHhjfc. Tort I Sg Kd£PE.ndeaicl\ ~% * JCCTiON OF ^- Rampart „P.:A Mltlfe. "Ks plct Hill iii «* « i / 5 1 1 9 i'' yjLs # % § ^mVM'll'li™i^lI^im)^li)'Ui[lll|jrX;M':'.:: ll 'J'.'/i;i..'il'. , .ljj' , ii. l HOJlW)li'% E H= f I J 5 / /j9aBiiiiiiii!i:iiiH!iiwit!;f«iii»»[«i«»» % \ f| \ - r 'v^ ; » i The record of the town's order for this reads as follows : " That Capt. Barzillai Rich- mond's Company go upon duty to-morrow, Capt. Russell's the next day, Capt. Burrill's on Monday, Capt. Keene's on Tuesday, Capt. Snow's and the Grenadier Company on Wednesday, and that the captains keep lists of all persons who work and also those who 74 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES do not, and that the said companies begin on Thursday next week, and go through a second tower of duty in rotation, in the same manner, each person to furnish his own tools and provisions." The fortifica- tions, constructed at this time were on the brow of the hill, extending at some distance around the beacon. Some years ago, portions of these works were visible, but the last vestige of them was destroyed to make way for the brick house at the corner of Congdon and Bowen streets. This fort was probably the only one in the town built from plans prepared before the work was commenced, the others being thrown up according to lines laid out on the ground at the time the work was done. The Prospect Hill or College Hill fort, says Stone, in his French Allies, was " three hun- dred by one hundred and fifty feet, within the parapet. It was surrounded by a fosse, or ditch, and was capable of mounting fifty- eight guns." On the high land on the west side of the river, southerly from what was then called the road to Pawtuxet (now Broad Street), was a fort which bore the name Fort Sullivan. While there is no recorded evidence to IN RHODE ISLAND 75 show when it was built, the name given to it suggests that it was thrown up during the time when General John Sullivan was in command of this department, and that was in 1778. It was probably the first of the Revolu- tionary defences to be obliterated ; for in 1 784, the owners of the property on which it was located, — Messrs. Barzillai Richmond, John Field, Daniel Snow, Joseph Snow, Joseph Snow, Jr., Daniel Snow, Jr., and Benoni Pearce, — desiring to improve this tract of land, caused a good part of the hill to be dug away, and used the material to fill in the low marshland along the river at its base. Through the land thus graded, streets were laid out, and dedicated to the public use. The square bounded by Broad, Foster, Chestnut, and Friendship streets in- cludes the spot on which Fort Sullivan was built. There was yet another fort in the harbor. It was not, however, in Rhode Island, but was built on territory so near that it has since, by a change in the state line, been brought within its borders. This is the work on Fort Hill, in East Providence. In the days of the Revolution this land Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page 82 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES twenty-ninth day of April, 1776, unani- mously voted that they would defend the said Town, and ordered that the inhabitants should work upon the Fortifications, upon the Penalty of paying Three shillings per day for each and every day's Neglect . . . and at another meeting held on the twenty- fifth of May, it was ordered that the Fines of the Delinquents should be collected by William Davis, and in case of Refusal he should distrain." With this preamble the town prayed for advice as to whether it had authority to make such an order and enforce it. The whole question was promptly set- tled ; the General Assembly upholding the acts of the Newport town meeting. Additional light is shed upon the doings of the people of Newport, by a memorial prepared in June, 1776, during the recess of the General Assembly, " by such of the Members as could be conveniently be imme- diately convened," to be sent to the Conti- nental Congress, wherein it is stated that the inhabitants of Newport " assembled in a full town meeting and unanimously voted to work upon the necessary fortifications, and to defend the Town, and immediately entered upon it with Vigour. . . . Three IN RHODE ISLAND 83 considerable works have been erected . . . and the Town of Newport is now capable of being defended against all the Frigates in the British Navy. Fortifications are also making at Bristol Ferry and on the East side of Rhode Island, which when completed will effectually secure a communication with the Continent, and enable us to defend that most valuable Island." But the confidence which the people of Newport had in the strength and value of these works to withstand " all the Frigates in the British Navy," was destined to be shattered ; for a few months later every one of them was occupied by the enemy, with- out a shot being fired to resist their capture. Besides this fort at Brenton's Point, another work, which was called the North Battery, was built on the site of the present Fort Greene, at the end of Washington Street. To make room for this, the house of Daniel Austin, standing on the spot, was removed to another location ; this work with the fort on Goat Island commanded the entrance to the harbor from the northward. Across on the island of Conanicut, a battery was established at the Dumplings, of eight 1 8-pound guns. Early in the month of January, 1776, the 84 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES General Assembly ordered " that a number of men not exceeding fifty, be stationed at Warwick Neck, including the Artillery Company in Warwick ; the remainder to be minutemen ; that Col. John Waterman have the command, and appoint proper offi- cers to act under him ; that they continue there and be kept upon pay, until the enemy's fleet shall go down the river, and then be discharged, if his honor the Gov- ernor shall think proper. " And that His Honor the Deputy Gov- ernor, General West, and Mr. Joseph Brown or either of them, be appointed to lay out such fortifications upon the said Neck as they shall think necessary ; and that the troops be employed in erecting them, while continued there." Colonel Waterman, who was assigned to the Warwick post, was a prominent man of that town, and active in the civil and military affairs of the colony. He was at this time a member of the town council of Warwick and Colonel of its militia, and had been a field-officer of the Kent County regi- ment since 1760. His military experience, however, had been limited to that obtained with the troops in the colony. IN RHODE ISLAND 85 This action was taken on account of the British fleet of twelve sail coming up the river as far as Prudence Island and landing a large body of men. These vessels a few days later returned to their anchorage in Newport harbor. At this time artillery companies of two guns, with fourteen men to each gun, were formed in all the sea- board towns, and the greatest excitement prevailed. The next month Captain Thomas Gorton's Company of Warwick was ordered to report to Colonel John Waterman at the Warwick Neck fort, and Captain Josiah Gibb's Company was despatched to Quid- nessett Neck to relieve a number of minute- men who had been occupying this station. A watch-house was ordered to be built on Cranston Neck or Long Neck, now called Pawtuxet Neck, twelve feet long and eight feet wide, for the accommodations of the guard stationed at the fort. Here was lo- cated a battery of two 1 8-pound guns. Faint outlines of the works at Pawtuxet are still to be seen, although most of this fortification has been obliterated, to make room for the cottages now located on the Neck. The Warwick Neck fort has entirely disappeared. 86 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES The battery at Pawtuxet was on land owned by Captain Remington of that place. When the authorities took possession of his property to build this work, they tore down his fences and otherwise damaged his prop- erty, but the General Assembly subsequently made reparation by paying the amount which he claimed. This fort was under the command of Colonel Samuel Aborn and for a great part of the time was garrisoned by the Pawtuxet Rangers, another of the chartered independent military companies. At first it was occupied by some of the Providence companies and was in April, 1777 ; for on the 19th of that month William Rhodes, William Wall, Samuel Chace, Jr., Paul Allen, Samuel Godfrey, Arthur Craw- ford, Lewis Peck, James Munro, James Hill, Gideon Crawford, Jr., Joseph Nightingale, Aaron White and William Russell, pre- sented a petition to the town meeting of Providence, then in session, representing that they were " on Military Duty at Pawtuxet for the Defence of our Country," and protest- ing against the town's taking action on a question reflecting on the " Conduct of the Present Assessors of Rates " until they could be present. All of these men were members IN RHODE ISLAND %j of the Providence Company of Cadets com- manded by Colonel Joseph Nightingale. On the sixth day of the next month the first di- vision of the Pawtuxet Rangers was drafted to go on duty at the Neck, consisting of the following officers and enlisted men : 1 — Benjamin Arnold, Colonel. James Sheldon, Captain. William Greene, Clerk. Elisha Carpenter, Sergeant. Stephen Fenner, Sergeant. Privates. Zuriel Waterman John C. Greene James Harris Philip Arnold John Randall William Holdridge Benjamin Babcock Henry Randall Benjamin Waterman John Stone Oliver Payn Caleb Corpe Rhodes Greene William Greene Charles Rhodes David Barros Samuel Perce This division was relieved by the second detachment composed of 2 Oliver Arnold, Lieutenant-Colonel. Sylvester Rhodes, Major. 1 Rhode Island Historical Society Military Papers. 2 Ibid. go REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES and from time to time detachments of the minutemen or alarm companies in the county were ordered to report there for duty. The warrants issued for bringing in these detach- ments are as curious in their construction as they were effective in results. One of them reads thus : : — " Warwick in the County of Kent, &c. " To Thomas Warner corporiel of the first Company or Train band in the above s'd Town Greeting by virtue of a warrant from the Colo you air hear by required to warn in the Second Division of said Compny a grea- bel to the draught maid from said company the sixth day of January 1777. " N.B. to warn the said persons to appear with a good Gun bagunet Catrix box blancket and nap sack and to Let each and every per- son now that if they doth not appear at hed Qorters in Warwick the eighth day of this instant at two of the clock after noon or an abel bodyed man in Each of the delinkqents sted thay may depend that thay shall pay a fine as the Law of this Stait directs hear of fail not but maik a true return of your doings to Colo John Waterman at hid Qorters War- 1 Warner Papers. IN RHODE ISLAND 91 wick. Given under my hand in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six. " Job Randall, Captn. " A List of the Naimes of those that air to be Warnd, Lieutenant James Arnold Ensign James Carder Sergeant Anthony Low Corporal Thos. Warner Nathaniel Hackston Christopher Vaughn Stephen Low Beriah Allen Benjamin Battey Barrit Allen John Coal Edward Gorton Robert Bagnal Mosis Lippitt Jeremiah Westcott Godfrey Greene "Warwick, february the 4th day 1777 "then warned those men that I was com- manded Thomas Warner, Corpril." On the 7th of January the following, men were ordered to report for duty at this post: 1 — Benjamin Bennett, Jr. Richard Mathewson Isaac Carr Ichabod Smith 1 Rhode Island Historical Society Military Papers. Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page 98 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES CHAPTER VII. Fortifications ordered at Bristol Ferry and Howland's Ferry. — Fort Barton. — List of Officers and Men stationed at Howland's Ferry. — Coast-guards established. — Tonomy Hill Fort. — Fortifications at Bristol Harbor. — Alarm at Bristol. — List of Barrington Men appearing. — Fort Dan- iel. — List of Officers and Men located at East Greenwich. List of Captain John Whipple's Company on Rhode Island. — Kingstown Reds. In February, 1776, Deputy-Governor Brad- ford, William Ellery, John Mathewson, Henry Marchant, and Gideon Marchant were ap- pointed a committee " to cause fortifications to be erected, as soon as possible, upon Rhode Island and at Bristol, sufficient to command and keep open a communication at Bristol Ferry." The troops stationed at Bristol and on Rhode Island were employed in this work. These fortifications were at each end of Bristol Ferry, and the one on the island can, even now, be easily distinguished. Having made provision for keeping open this means of communication between the island and the mainland, the attention of the colony was then directed to taking care IN RHODE ISLAND 99 of Howland's Ferry on the east side of the island. About this time a communication had been received from the General Court of Massachusetts, signifying its willingness to 44 to<^ M % % # W 'V i"'m. %n^%_ "*»% ""^ '""0, «\W//„„ / % /fe % »P'% 1 -? -^ 5 Stf lend its assistance in the construction of a fort at Howland's- Ferry. This aid was gratefully accepted ; and William Bradford and Simeon Potter were appointed to confer with the Massachusetts authorities, and given 100 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES full power to carry into effect such plans as might be agreed upon. A fort was erected, commanding this ferry, on the high land at Tiverton, which has since borne the name of Fort Barton. Its outlines are even now well defined. From December i, 1777, to March 10, 1778, Captain Christopher Dyer's Company was stationed at Howland's Ferry, the com- pany roll being made up of 1 Christopher Dyer, Captain. Barker Peckam, First Lieutenant. Samuel Champlin, Second Lieutenant. Randall Rice, Ensign. Benoni Foster Martin Child Charles Hewit Elisha Potter William Smith Clark Hopkins Samuel Barker Benjamin Hodg Edmund Hewit, Fifer. James Chappel, Drummer. Privates. Caleb Tifft Hugh Osbond Eleazer Nichols Eli Lake 1 Revolutionary Rolls, State Archives. Sergeants. Corporals. IN RHODE ISLAND 101 Charles McMillion Job Chase Joshua Davis Edward Johnson James Tannant Leary Crandall John Lewis Benjamin Eagleston Amos James William Babcock Stephen Charles John Stanbury Amos Drummer Samuel Butten Ebenezer Smith John Smith Thomas Chappel Job Wait Adam Cooper Stephen Wheeler James Ervin Nathan Lewis George Osbond Samuel Babcock In March, 1776, the committee that had been appointed by the General Assembly relative to the military defences of the col- ony made its report. Among the recom- mendations made by this body, it was provided, " That one company be placed at Point Judith ; one company at Boston Neck be- tween Narrow River and the South Ferry ; one company at Quonset 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 (Pawtuxet Neck), one company at Barring- ton, two companies at Bristol, one company 102 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES at Bristol Ferry on Rhode Island side and one third of said company on Tiverton side, one company in Tiverton and Little Comp- ton near Fogland Ferry, four companies and one half on the island of Jamestown," and seven companies with a company of artillery on the island of Rhode Island. F°RT ON [BEAC3H HILL] ToAIOMY m 1i\y? » % m^# This committee also recommended that a fort be erected on Tonomy Hill by Colonel Putnam, "according to his best skill and judgement," and another on the Bristol side of Bristol Ferry " at the place selected by Col. Putnam." The high land at the northern part of Newport is called Tonomy Hill, and consists of two spurs or hills, one of which — the highest — is now called Tonomy Hill, while the other is known as Beacon Hill. IN RHODE ISLAND 103 Fortifications are still remaining on each. It was on the lower spur that the Tonomy Hill beacon was built in 1776, and hence its name. The exact spot selected for the Bristol work is not known. A map of the opera- tions on Rhode Island shows two works at this point, one on the high land north of where the lighthouse now stands, while an- other was nearer the water, under the hill. There is no evidence of them now to be seen. When this report was presented to the General Assembly, it provoked some dis- cussion, and before the recommendations therein were adopted some changes were made, and it was finally voted " that the com- pany ordered to be stationed at Tiverton and Little Compton, near Fogland Ferry, be stationed in the said towns as Col. Thomas Church and Lieut. Col. John Cooke shall think proper, that the company ordered to be stationed at Quonset be stationed at Wickford; that the company stationed at the South Ferry, in South Kingstown, be so distributed as to guard as far as the north end of Boston neck; and that Capt. Job Pierce's company station be in Bristol." 104 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES This company was located at what was called the " mud battery," which consisted of a breastwork "high enough for a man standing on tiptoe to rest his piece on the top and take aim at the men or officers " on the decks of the enemy's vessels; it was located near the water's edge, a short dis- tance west from the corner of Hope and Church streets, where St. Michael's Church now stands. Action had been taken by the town authorities at Bristol some months before the committee of the General Assem- bly made its report. On December 12, 1775, it was " voted, that some intrenchments be made near the harbor in this town to pre- vent the enemy from landing." William Bradford, Simeon Potter, Benjamin Bos- worth, and Jeremy Ingraham were appointed a committee to build these works. They were constructed " along the shore, extend- ing south from the foot of State Street, down as far as the foot of Burton Street, near Rich- mond's wharf. They were composed of a wall five feet high, built of turf and stones, filled up on the inside with loose earth and small stones." -Included in this line of works was the " mud battery " previously referred to. IN RHODE ISLAND 105 On the 1st of April, 1776, there was an alarm at Bristol occasioned by a report, which afterwards proved to be false, that the British fleet were entering the bay. It occa- sioned much anxiety, however, and urgent requests were made by Governor Cooke to General Washington for aid in protecting the state. To this alarm the Barrington Infantry Company and the Artillery Company re- sponded, the following roll showing the names of those who marched to Bristol on this occasion. " Barrington, April y e 1 ad 1776. " The following is a List of the Persons who Appeared on the Alarm at Bristol this day : * — Thomas Allen, Captain. Viajl Allen, Lieutenant. Daniel Kinicut, Ensign. Nathaniel Smith, Sergeant. George Salsbury, Sergeant. Benjamin Drown, Jr., Corporal. Nudigate Adams, Corporal. Josiah Humphrey, Jr., Corporal. 1 Private manuscript belonging to Hon. Thomas W. Bick- nell. io6 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Thomas Grant, Corporal. Samuel Short, Drummer. Joseph V. Allen, Fifer. Ebenezer Tiffany Joshua Kent William Kelley John Short, Jr. Amos Peck Nathanel Clarke Samuel Barnes Samuel Adams Josiah Bowen David Luther John Watson Joshua Bicknell, Jr. William Harden Samuel Conant Daniel Drown John Shelden Jonathan Bosworth, Jr. James Goff Abiel Grant Benjamin Marten Joseph Bullock Samuel Marten Moses Horten William Andrews Benjamin Horten Edward Marten Ebenezer Grant Simeon Titas Artillery Comp y . Samuel Bosworth, Captain. William Jones Joseph Adams Nathanel Peck Samuel Viall Selvester Viall Privets. Solomon Peck, Jr., Clk. Nath 1 Smith & Jon'n Bosworth Jun Did Duty in the Militia and are Reckoned with them. Per T. Allin." IN RHODE ISLAND \0J Across the bay at East Greenwich was another fort called Fort Daniel. This, says Wanton Casey of that town, who was one of the charter members of the Kentish Guards, was built by that organization " to prevent the boats from the British fleet getting into the harbor." It " had eight or ten guns mounted," and a guard was maintained here during the whole time that the British were encamped within the state. From the col- ony records it appears that nine guns were mounted at this fort. It was located on the high bank, near the entrance to East Green- wich harbor, about a quarter of a mile north of the present railroad station, nearly oppo- site Long Point. Strictly speaking, it was not in the town of East Greenwich, but was in Warwick or, as the town records of East Greenwich say, " in the borders of Warwick." An aged citi- zen of the town who remembers seeing it, for it was long ago obliterated, says that " it was a straight breastwork with holes in it for the guns." It is stated that the guns formerly located there, upon the termination of hostilities, were shipped to West Point. The Kentish Guards were located at Fort Daniel during most of the time that the 108 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES enemy was within the state. But on occa- sions of alarm, troops were hurriedly sent to all the towns on the seaboard, and on such occasions the force at Fort Daniel was in- creased by detachments from the different regiments. The arrival of a British fleet, consisting of sixteen ships of war, off Newport in July, 17S0, produced a season of alarm through- out the state. The forts and batteries along the shore were manned, and the several com- panies of militia in the state were despatched to support them. It was not until the middle of the next month that the enemy's fleet withdrew. During a portion of this time Captain Robert Rhodes' Company was stationed at East Greenwich ; the company, when it re- sponded to this alarm, consisted of : * — Robert Rhodes, Captain. Hopkins Cooke, Lieutenant. Philip Whitman, Ensign. Privates. John Miller Arnold Stafford Thomas Sweet Amos Kimball Joseph Chase William Gorton, Jr. 1 Rhode Island Historical Society Military Papers. IN RHODE ISLAND 109 Joseph Battey William Hall Ephraim Weeden William Greene, son of Nathaniel Silas Spencer Joseph Cornell Yelverton Briggs Job Comstock Thomas Spencer, son of Abner Samuel Tarbox Ezekiel Warner William Bailey Job Straight Thomas Reynolds Jesse Arnold James Aborn Sylvester Rhodes Nathan Westcott Josiah Stone Edward Coddington Joseph Brown Stephen Arnold William Matteson Olney Baker William Sayles Daniel Fisk James Miller William Helm William Sweet, Jr. Remington Kinnon About the first of March, 1781, the enemy having withdrawn from the neighborhood of Rhode Island, most of the troops that had been stationed at Newport and on the island were dismissed with the exception of about three hundred men, who were still continued doing guard duty. Among this body of troops was the bat- talion of Providence and Kent counties, commanded by Brigadier-General Nathan Miller. One of the companies belonged in the town of Providence, and the roll of this company included the following officers and men : — no REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Pay Abstract of Captain John Whipple's Company in Lieutenant-Colonel Comman- dant George Peck's Regiment, Doing Duty on Rhode Island in March, 1781. 1 John Whipple, Captain. Joseph Snow, Jr., Lieutenant. Christopher Robinson, Ensign. Benjamin Keen 1 Benjamin Keen, (Jr.) j Jabez Gorham Charles Wheaton 1- Sergeants. Ebenezer Foresight 1 ,. „ „, . 1 Corporals. George btamer J William Larcher ) Benjamin Andrews J Job Stone Stephen Corps Fifers. Drummers. Privates. Jacob Field Elijah Hewes Daniel Brown Tilly M. Olney Peter Field Abner Keen George Brown Tobias Brown Isaac Barker Joseph Salisbury William Davis John Field Jeremiah Williams Zachariah Mathewson William Hutson Timothy Berry 1 Providence Town Papers No. 2526. IN RHODE ISLAND III Joseph Whipple John Burch John Sheldon Ruben Anthony John Luther Elisha Calendar John Gilson Simeon Hunt John Griffith Uriah Hopkins David Libby William Peck Jesse Jones Jeremiah Spears William Shearburne David Tift Stephen Aplin Isaac Mason Ezekiel Burr Micajah Bennet John Teale Thomas Teale Isaac Bartlett Benjamin Low Prince Potter Asa Allen Oliver Brown William Turtelot George Young William Sheldon William Verry Bernon Tripe Charles Cushing Elijah Walker John Russell John Allen Joseph Adams James Smith John Hawkes Levi Wilmoth Joseph Basset John Gonsolve Stephen Williams Luther Hawkins Joseph Burke The amount due the soldiers according to this pay abstract was '' One hundred thirteen pounds and eighteen shillings," which was ordered paid at a town meeting held in Providence, August 30, 1781. At this time the French army and fleet were located at Newport and afforded with 112 RE VOL UTIONAR Y DEFENCES these state troops ample protection to the colony in case of an attack. A few weeks later, however, it was decided to withdraw the French forces from Rhode Island and attach them to the troops about to operate against New York. In order to transport the great quantity of guns, stores, and baggage, Rochambeau presented a peti- tion to the General Assembly asking for the aid of the state in this work ; in answer to his request, George Irish, Esq., was ap- pointed a committee to attend to the matter as far as Bristol Ferry and was authorized to impress teams for the purpose ; through his services this material was carted up to the north end of the island to Bristol Ferry, where it was put on boats and floated over to Bristol, where Nathaniel Fales, Esq., who had also been appointed a committee for a similar purpose, attended to its transporta- tion to Providence where the army was to start on its march to the westward. In the midst of these preparations, and while the troops were under marching orders, it was reported that the enemy's fleet under Admi- ral Arbuthnot was off Block Island standing towards Newport. A council of war was hastily summoned IN RHODE ISLAND 1 1 3 and the order of departure somewhat modified. The fleet was ordered to remain at New- port while the army was sent on its journey, but a detachment of five hundred men was left behind to form with a body of state troops a sufficiently strong force to resist any attack that might be made. Nearly the whole military force of the state had been dismissed, and the men had returned to their homes to get some rest after their arduous duties for a long period. The General Assembly, therefore, then in session, deeming it "highly expedient that a body of troops completely armed and accou- tred should be on the island of Rhode Island on or before Tuesday the 5th day of June, a.d. 1 78 1, to be stationed at such places as the commander of that post shall deem necessary " for the safety and defence of the colony, promptly voted, " that the following independent companies, to wit: the Artillery of Providence, the Kentish Guards, the Kingstown Reds and the Pawtuxet Rangers, forthwith turn out one-half of the men be- longing to their respective corps, to march to Newport, to be upon the ground by the said 5th day of June, there to do duty for 114 RE V0L UTIONAR Y DEFENCES one month ; that the men so furnished by the said independent companies be accounted to the towns to which they respectively be- long, and be reckoned as so many men fur- nished towards their quota of five hundred men ordered to be raised at the present ses- sion, that the said independent companies be led by their own officers, that the town of Tiverton and Little Compton forthwith fur- nish one hundred and two men to be at Newport on the said 5th day of June." This force was under the command of M. de Choisy, a French officer, to whom was given the title " Brigadier of the forces to remain for the protection of the fleet and of the island." Among this body was the independent company called the " Kingstown Reds." It seems to have been a very active organiza- tion, and is frequently referred to in the events which occurred within the state. Only one roll of this company has been found among the public records and that refers to the company in May, 1776. It is believed to be the only list extant and for that reason is here printed. IN RHODE ISLAND "5 Kingstown Reds, May, 1776. 1 John Gardiner, Captain. Thomas Potter, First Lieutenant. Rouse T. Helme, Second Lieutenant. Rowland Brown, Ensign. Privates. John Weight James Cottrell Richard Gardiner Jeremiah Sheffil John Rose James Pearce John Petrill Allin James James Rose James Helme, Jr. George Teft Nathan Gardiner Benjamin Perry- Walter Watson William Rodman Joseph Purkins Frederick Gardiner William Aplin Thomas Champlin William Dyer, Jr. Nathan Cotrelle Jeremiah Brown Henry Reynolds Christopher Brown George Wilson Caleb Waistcoat Robert Helm John Weeden Lory Gardiner John Tory David Duglass James Tefft, 3d William C. Clarke Solomon Tefft James Potter Nicholas Easton Gardiner Allin Gardner Ephraim Gardiner John Clarke, Jr. 1 Revolutionary Rolls, State Archives. 1 1 6 RE VOL UTIONAR Y DEFENCES The force at Newport was kept up until late in the summer and was augmented from time to time by drafts from the militia of the state. Sergeant Job Whaley of Coventry was one of the men drafted on this service and years afterwards wrote an account of his military experiences during the war, in this he says: "Next tour in 1781 in August at Newport 20 days in Capt Allen Johnsons Company (East Greenwich) Col. T. Tillinghast & was present when the french fleet went out to join degras to go to Yorktown to take Cornwallis." After the departure of the fleet the troops were withdrawn, and the events which trans- pired in Virginia a few weeks later put an end to the service which the militia of Rhode Island had for years been called upon to perform. IN RHODE ISLAND 117 CHAPTER VIII. Fort at Beaver Tail. — List of Officers and Men guarding the Charlestown Shore. — Story of the Wickford Gun. — Order for the Guard at Quonset. — Rum as a Munition of War. — Distribution of Cannon in the State. — Forts at Popasquash and Bullock's Points. — Table of Defences in Narragansett Bay. — Fortifications at Warren. — Colonel Israel Angell's Regiment stationed at Warren. — Roll of Captain Tew's Company. In May, 1776, a fort was ordered built " at Beaver Tail, on Conanicut, to contain six or eight heavy cannon," while a coast- guard was established at Point Judith, Sea- connet Point, Westerly at Watch Hill, Charlestown, at the South Ferry in South Kingstown, and at North Kingstown. The commanding officers of the several military companies seldom noted on the muster-rolls the locality or station where the duty was performed ; but from a roll of Captain Peleg Hoxsey's Company, in the state archives, it appears that the company was stationed on the Charlestown shore, August 10, 1777, and the following names are found upon it : x — 1 Revolutionary Rolls, State Archives. n8 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Peleg Hoxsey, Captain. William Gardner, Lieutenant. John Hall, Sergeant. Augustus Sunderland, Sergeant. Thomas Reynolds, Corporal. Job Johnson, Corporal. Henry Stanton, Fifer. Vernon Stanton Uriah Harvey Edward Greene John Wappy Augustus Sanders Aaron Babcock William Coon Paul Harvey Moses Kinyon Joseph Sheffield Henry Hazard James Wells Silas Hall Samuel Greene Benjamin Millard Edward Clarke Nathaniel Bendick Thomas Barber Privates. John Champlin Stephen Allin Daniel Saunders Cary Clarke Benjamin Hall John Coon Roger Clarke Simeon Crandall Arnold Wording Silas Harvey William Wording Stephen Wilcox George Austin Gideon Crandall Theodate Johnson Thomas Cross Asa Crandall Samuel Elbert In addition to ordering guards to be main- tained at several places along the seaboard, the General Assembly ordered field-pieces IN RHODE ISLAND 119 to be distributed to the several towns, for use in case of attack. By vote of that body, made in March, 1776, one of these field-pieces sent to South Kingstown was ordered trans- ferred to North Kingstown. The wisdom of this was soon manifested. " The story of this old gun," says the historian of North Kingstown, "is as remarkable as it is inter- esting. It once saved Wickford from de- struction ; and again, as if to repay the debt, won great glory for the town, which origi- nally loaned it. In 1777, a company was sent out in a barge, from the British fleet, to burn the village of Wickford, which was supposed to be undefended. " They proceeded unmolested until they arrived at the mouth of the harbor, when, to their great surprise, the old gun, which had been stationed on the point where the light- house now stands, fired into them, killed one man, and caused them to hastily retrace their course. Soon after this occurrence, news came that a British man-of-war had grounded on Point Judith. Excitement ran high, and the old gun was again resorted to ; but, upon examination, it was discovered that the Tories had spiked it. " This difficulty was speedily removed. 120 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Samuel Bissell drilled it out, and in a few hours, drawn by four oxen, it was on its way to the ' Point,' where it was mounted on the shore, behind the rocks ; and, after a vigorous firing of a few minutes, the ship, which proved to be the Syren, a twenty-eight-gun frigate, surrendered, and her crew of a hundred and sixty-six officers and men were carried prisoners to Providence." The °;uard at Quonset Point, where is now located the state's Military Camp Ground, was established, in 1779, by the following order : — "East Greenwich, 6th June 1779. " Order: " A sergeant and six privates are to go immediately to Quonset Point with their arms and accoutrements to remain there until Tuesday morning and then return. They are to take what provisions they have on hand with them. " The sergeant will draw Twenty one gills of rum for himself and men for the Tower of Duty the sergeant will Take Directions from Col Dyer as to placing Sentries the whole of the Guard are to be out from 12 Till Day Break each night. The like number will go to the same IN RHODE ISLAND 121 place on Tuesday afternoon and be Re- lieved in three days." 1 Rum seems to have been more essential to this " Tower of Duty " than powder. On the 1 8th of July, 1776, the committee appointed by the General Assembly " to ascertain the places for fixing the cannon belonging to the state " made its report, rec- ommending that the twenty-seven cannon made at the Hope furnace " be mounted as soon as possible and placed as followeth " : — "At Jamestown — Three twelve-pounders on field carriages. " South Kingstown — Four, viz. : two eighteen-pounders, and two nine-pound- ers ; all on field carriages. "Warwick Neck — Two eighteen-pounders. " Field's Point — Three nine-pounders. " On the opposite shore (Kettle Point) Two nine-pounders. "Warren — Two nine-pounders. " Bristol harbor — Two nine-pounders. " Bristol Ferry — Five nine-pounders, viz.: one on the main, and four, on the island. 1 Rhode Island Historical Society Military Papers. 122 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES " Howland's Ferry, on the main — Four nine-pounders. Twenty-seven in all." This committee also recommended that the cannon now in the state, in addition to those assigned at the places aforesaid, be distributed in the state in the following order : — " Newport County : Five twenty-four- pounders, fourteen eighteen-pounders ; twelve twelve-pounders ; one nine- pounder, nine six-pounders ; ten four- pounders ; four three-pounders. Total, fifty-five. " Providence County: Five eighteen-pound- ers ; sixteen two, three, and four pound- ers, mounted on field carriages, for the several towns on the seacoast, and which lie now ready for them. Two three- pounders and two four-pounders, old and not mounted. Total twenty-five. " Bristol County : One twenty-four-pound- er ; three eighteen-pounders ; eleven three and four pounders. Total fifteen. " Kent County : One nine-pounder, sixteen three, four, and six pounders. Total seventeen." IN RHODE ISLAND 123 This report was signed by William Brad- ford, John Brown, and Charles H olden, Jr., members of the committee. It will thus be seen that the state had one hundred and thirty-nine cannon of various calibre to be located along the seaboard, with which to resist any attack from the enemy. But these were not all ; there were a number of others located in King's County (the present Washington County), of which no account was taken, and these were scat- tered from Quidnessett Neck to Westerly. A battery was established on Barber's Height, a commanding eminence overlook- ing the bay in North Kingstown ; two field- pieces were stationed " near the sea, on the land of Nathan Babcock 2d, Esq.," at West- erly, and a nine-pounder at Colonel James Noyes' Neck in the same town. Before the close of the year 1776, the whole shore of Narragansett Bay was well protected. The order of the General Assem- bly, establishing artillery companies in all the seaboard towns, had been complied with, and for the protection of these batteries, breastworks had been thrown up at Barring- ton, Nayatt Point, Quidnessett, Wickford, Boston Neck, Watch Hill, Noyes' Neck, and 124 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES at Point Judith, while, besides the more for- midable works already referred to, there was a battery at Popasquash Point, of six eigh- teen-pounders, and another substantial work at Bullock's Point. When and under whose direction these latter works were built, a persistent investigation has failed to dis- cover. It is certain, however, that they had been thrown up before 1777. According to Blaskowitz's Chart of Narra- gansett Bay, made in 1777, there existed the following forts and batteries which had been erected by the American forces: 1 — GUNS. CALIBRE. Providence Fort S° 18 and 24 pds. Popasquash Battery 6 18 pounders. Bristol Fort 8 18 pounders. Batteries at either end of Bristol Ferry 3 18 pounders. Howland Ferry defenses 7 18 and 24 pds. Fort Liberty, Goat Island, in Newport harbor 25 18 and 24 pds. North Point Battery (site of present Fort Greene) 20 18 and 24 pds. Dumplings Rock Battery 8 18 pounders. A year later, in May, soon after the British attack on Warren, fortifications were erected 1 Cullum's Historical Sketch of the Fortification Defenses of Narragansett Bay, Washington, 1884, page 10. IN RHODE ISLAND 125 on Burr Hill, in that town, " upon the west end of the second hill from the north," and a guard was maintained here both night and day during the remainder of the war. Noth- ing remains to-day of these fortifications. Colonel Israel Angell's Rhode Island Regi- ment of General Varnum's Brigade was located at Warren, from the summer of 1778 to the spring of 1779. This regiment con- sisted of nine companies, six of, them be- ing commanded by Captains William Tew, Coggeshall Olney, Stephen Olney, William Allen, Thomas Hughes, and William Hum- phries, while the other three were known as the Colonel's Company, the Lieutenant-Colo- nel's Company, and the Major's Company. Captain William Tew's Company, in April, 1779, consisted of the following rank and file : — William Tew, Captain. Ebenezer Macomber, Lieutenant. William Proctor, Sergeant-Major. Nathan Whittlesey, Quartermaster-Sergeant. William Davis, Drum-Major. George Clark, Fife-Major. William Pratt, Sergeant. John Macomber, Sergeant. Nathaniel Harris, Sergeant. 126 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES Knight Springer, Drummer. Reuben Smith, Corporal. Philip Justin, Corporal. Edward Easterbrooks, Corporal. Privates. Robert Allbrow Jonathan Briggs Jotham Bemus Asa Bovvdish Benjamin Blanchard William Bennett Edward Cole John Chadwick Levi Cole John Crandall John Exceen Charles Gray Stephen Hazard Jonathan Hill Peleg Johnson Samuel Loring Reuben Macomber Magnus Nice William Nichols William Parker, Sr. William Parker, Jr. Abraham Rose William Salsbury Thomas Smith Michael Stafford Amos Thurber Reuben Thompson Darius Thurber John Usher Abial Weaver Samuel Jordan Full lists of the other companies in this regiment are among the Revolutionary rolls in the office of the Secretary of State. IN RHODE ISLAND 127 CHAPTER IX. Arrival of the British Fleet at Newport. — Governor Cooke's Letter to General Washington. — Evacuation of the Island of Rhode Island by the Americans. — British erect Addi- tional Works. — Forts at Coddington's Point and Cove. — Loss of the Spitfire. — William Pearce loses his Cider. — The Owl's Nest. — Butt's Hill Fort. — Dumplings Bat- tery. — Eldred's One-gun Battery. — The Battery at the Bonnet. Early in December, 1776, Job Watson, from his watch tower on Tower Hill, saw far out on the ocean the dread object for which he had been watching so long. The news that a squadron of vessel was headed toward Narragansett Bay was hurriedly sent through the colony. The alarm companies assembled at their stations, and excitement ran hi^h. On Saturday, the seventh day of December, " the British fleet of eleven vessels of war, convoying seventy transports, having on board six thousand troops," sailed into Nar- ragansett Bay, up the west passage, around the north end of Conanicut Island, and anchored in Newport harbor. As soon as the intelligence of the arrival of the British fleet, and their occupation of 128 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES the island of Rhode Island, reached Governor Cooke at Providence, he despatched a letter to General Washington, apprising him of the threatening situation in Narragansett Bay. It was dated at " Providence December 8 1776 Past 10 o'clock p.m." It had been a day of trouble and anxiety to the people of Rhode Island. Messengers had brought to the Governor the latest accounts of affairs on the island, and now, well into the night, he wrote : — " Sir : — It is with great concern, I give you the disagreeable intelligence that the enemy with a fleet consisting of seventy- eight ships of war and transports, entered the harbor of Newport yesterday. " We had about six hundred men upon Rhode Island, who were obliged to evacu- ate it, with the loss of about fifteen or twenty heavy cannon ; having taken off the ammunition and stores, and the greatest part of the stock. The enemy have full possession of the island. " I am informed by General West and Lieutenant Barron, of the Providence, that they landed this morning about eight o'clock, with eight thousand men, who IN RHODE ISLAND 129 marched in three divisions ; one towards Newport, the second towards Howland's Ferry and the third to Bristol Ferry; where they arrived time enough to fire upon the boats that brought over our last men, but without doing damage. " I have sent repeated expresses to the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut. " The forces of the former are upon the march as I believe the latter are, also. " In great haste " I am your Excellency's most obedient humble servant " Nicholas Cooke." Sunday morning, the troops, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, disem- barked, part of them landing at Long Wharf, in Newport, while the main body of the army landed at Greensdale, in Middletown, near the residence of the Hon. Nathanael Greene, a grandson of General Greene. The island of Rhode Island was now practically in the hands of the enemy. That Sunday night was devoted to excesses of the wildest kind, for the soldiers celebrated their first hours ashore in revelry and pillage. Many of the islanders hurriedly left their 130 RE VOL UTIONAR Y DEFENCES homes, taking only such personal effects as they could conveniently get together, while those who remained were subjected to all manner of abuse and insults, and were com- pelled to take into their homes the officers of the Kind's regiments. The arrival of the army produced the greatest consternation through the state ; the fortifications along the shore were manned and strengthened, and the whole state " became a vast camp confronting the enemy." The British at once commenced to strengthen the works which had fallen into their hands, and to build additional defences. A redoubt was thrown up on the east side of the island at Fogland Ferry, another on the west side of the island, on the south side of Lawton's Valley, while a formidable work was erected on Butt's Hill, near the north end of the island. A part of the earthwork thrown up at Fogland Ferry, near the " Glen," may be seen on the Taylor farm, between McCurry's Point and Sandy Point, while on the west side of the island, on the Redwood farm, may be found the remains of the redoubt at Lawton's Valley. Upon the completion of these, " they in- P£* rk~ ~.£U f, "T *> r 1/ # §§K?f'^ IN RHODE ISLAND 131 trenched Newport with a strong, continuous line, which ran northerly along the crest of the height rising above the right bank of the inlet at Easton's Pond, then turned west- erly towards Tonomy Hill, and continued FoRT°/\| CoDDlNGTOAlb Point north of this height to Coddington's Cove." The forts which the American army was forced to abandon at Tonomy Hill were strengthened, and a heavy battery was erected at Coddington's Point. The works at the 132 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES most important positions along this line are yet well preserved. The eastern terminus was at Bliss Hill at what is called Green End. This is in the town of Middletown, not far from the New- port city line, and directly opposite Honey- man's Hill, where on the 17th of August, 1778 the American army erected a fort in its advance on Newport, remains of which may yet be seen on the crest of the hill south- erly from the Honeyman Hill road. The Bliss Hill fort is to-day in a remarkable state of preservation, and from its ramparts an ex- tensive view of ocean and undulating coun- try can be had, while Easton's Pond, the source of water supply for the city of New- port, lies at its base. From this point the line of intrenchments ran northerly towards Coddington's Point. Within the past dozen years all have disap- peared ; portions of it in 1884 could be seen at the Van Renssellaer place, Collin's place, and Bailey's farm. Continuing westward are Tonomy Hill and Beacon Hill, and the lines of the works there are clear and distinct. Tonomy Hill consists of huge boulders and outcroppings of conglomerate rock, making it a veritable mm" IN RHODE ISLAND 133 fortress. Its summit on the north, east, and west rises abruptly, while there is an easy ascent from the south, making a good road over which heavy guns could be hauled. A dense growth of cedars now cover these F&RT AT CopDINGTOM5 Covn "^/(IIUI^ hills. In the centre of Tonomy Hill fort there is an observatory which replaces an old one blown down many years ago, from which an extensive view of Newport and its harbor can be seen. Northwesterly from these hills faint indications of part of this outer line of intrenchments are still visible. This line terminated at a point near the 134 RE V0L UTIONAR Y DEFENCES corner of Coddington Avenue and Maple Avenue, and here are the remains of an elliptical fort built by the British in 1778. Its proportions and formidable appearance are best seen by approaching it from Maple Avenue. That in the best state of preservation, however, in this vicinity, is the Coddington's Point fort. Time has dealt leniently with this historic work, and, notwithstanding its exposed situation, even some of the points at which the guns were located may be easily identified. On the east side of the island, at Barker's Hill, was a large redoubt, while near it was a smaller one erected " to guard the ap- proach to the right of the British intrench- ments." Throughout the southern end of the island other earthworks were constructed at advantageous points about the British lines ; all these have now been obliterated. Upon the commencement of the works on Honeyman's Hill, by the Americans, in August, 1778, the British at once began an inner line of intrenchments ; these started near the foot of the present Narragansett Avenue at the "Cliffs," where a strong redoubt was constructed, and which formed m ' ' * IP ■...":'"- ," ':• ' ' a. o p- * o O p a- | w £ 2 O H O Z 3 Q o o IN RHODE ISLAND 135 the southern terminus ; and from this point wound northerly, sweeping towards the North Battery on the harbor front, where it ended. A portion of the redoubt at the Cliffs was visible in 1884, when General Cullum made his investigations, but since then it has entirely disappeared. In the compact part of the city this line crossed Kay Street at a point near the estate of Mrs. Judge Gray, of Albany; and there may be seen even now, on the lawn of this place, a rise in the ground which marks the location of a part of this line. The two armies did not come in contact with each other in a general engagement until August, 1778, when Sullivan's Expedi- tion against the enemy took place. Skir- mishes had occurred at several points on the bay side before this, and many attacks had been made by the British on unprotected houses, but it was not until this time that the engagement, which has been known as the battle of Rhode Island, took place. There is preserved in the archives of the state of Rhode Island an old map which shows the details of the operations on Rhode Island during Sullivan's Expedition ; it is without title, but is in substance the same 136 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES as another now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, which has the title " Map of the Military Operations in 1777-78 on Rhode Island." These maps show the location of the fleets and armies during these operations on the island, and thus become particularly valuable in identi- fying the various historic points in connec- tion with the Revolutionary struggle in Rhode Island. Taking this map for a guide, it is com- paratively easy to identify nearly all of the historic places in the neighborhood. Commencing at the north end of the island is Common Fence Point. Here, on the evening of the 13th of March, 1777, the row galley Spitfire, commanded by Cap- tain Isaac Tyler, grounded in the night, or, as the entry in the records of the Council of War says, " struck the bottom." Near her at the time was the row galley Wash- ington. The captain of the Spitfire endeavored to get the assistance of the Washington to haul him off, but this aid was not forthcom- ing, on account of differences between the two commanders. When morning dawned, the position of the Spitfire was discovered IN RHODE ISLAND 137 by one of the enemy's boats patrolling the bay. The Spitfire had been abandoned, so that it was a comparatively easy task to take pos- ft>RT AT r m, J* .A .1 Ml ^ # # %. raiillll'f % )im ^ m i w ^ Bristol ;#»%, ^ % % % ■'",, Flrry t w- ?fe, session of her. This was done, and as it was difficult to float her, she was set on fire. The responsibility for this loss was made the subject of a searching investigation by 138 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES the Council of War. Next, south of the point, is the Portsmouth side of the ferry from the island to Bristol ; it is called Bris- tol Ferry. Here, on the high land near the Stoddard place, a few rods south of the Bristol Ferry House, in a field off from the road to Stone Bridge, the outlines of the Bristol Ferry fort may still be seen. The plough has done much to obliterate this work, for the land on which it is located has been under cultivation for many years. It was erected, in 1776, by the troops sta- tioned here in conjunction with those at the other end of the ferry. When the British took possession of New- port, the fort at Bristol Ferry was evacu- ated ; near it was the home of William Pearce, and here some of the officers of the regiment were quartered. In Mr. Pearce's cellar was a quantity of fine cider, six barrels in all. This fact seems to have been well known to the soldiers ; for, when they left the island, they carried away with them Mr. Pearce's cider. For this depletion of his stock, this gentleman promptly presented his bill to the General Assembly, and that body honored it by payment in full. To the east of the ferry fort is Stone IN RHODE ISLAND 139 Bridge, where Howland's Ferry was formerly located. On the neck of land forming the western approach to this ferry, the main body of the American army in Sullivan's Expedition landed on August 9, 1778, "be- ginning half after 6 o'clock a.m.," and from this point they embarked when they re- treated from the island, on " the 30th in the evening." This movement of the Continen- tals was covered by the fort on Tiverton Heights, called Fort Barton, and another on Gould Island called the " Owl's nest." Gould Island is the little wooded island south of Stone Bridge. Fort Barton was so called in honor of Colonel William Bar- ton, of the Rhode Island Line. It is in Tiverton, at the top of the terraced hill which rises from the stage-road leading to Little Compton, and is reached by following the road leading east by Stone Bridge Cot- tage. From its ramparts one of the most picturesque views of Narragansett Bay, Sea- connet River, and the island of Rhode Island can be obtained. Continuing south- ward, on the island, is Butt's Hill, ap- proached by a cross-road called Sprague Lane, connecting the two main highways, the East and West roads. 140 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES On March 24, 1777, Colonel Stanton wrote to Governor Cooke : " The enemy on Rhode Island are indefatigable in fortifying the eminences on the north part of the island, particularly Butt's Hill." The centre work at this point is by far the most imposing and best preserved of those at the north end of the island. The embankments and ditch, with traces of ravelins, are even now well preserved. In 1848, the ruts made by the heavy wheels of the cannon, says Lossing, were then clearly visible. This fort was constructed on a rocky ledge, which has done much to pre- serve its ancient appearance. Nothing re- mains of the other fortifications which were a part of the Butt's Hill system. All of these were built by the British in March, 1777, and were occupied successively by the British and American armies during the operations on Rhode Island. Here the American army encamped on the night of the 28th of August, 1778; in front of these works the army made its stand the next day ; and from here the retreat was made August 29, 1778. In November, 1780, after the evacuation of Newport and the island by the enemy, Butt's Hill fort and the D O IL, O w 2 O o IN RHODE ISLAND 141 other forts were garrisoned by the French army. In October, 1861, the Butt's Hill fort was occupied for one night by a detachment of Battery F, First Rhode Island Light Artil- lery, while on a recruiting expedition. Here they had a drill, and the men obtained their first experience in firing solid shot from this old earthwork. Still farther southward are Turkey Hill and Quaker Hill, the former to the west- ward, the latter to the eastward of Butt's Hill. Between these three hills is a low stretch of country, rising gently toward the north and south. In this valley most of the fighting took place, and the main loss to both armies was sustained, in the battle which took place in August, 1778. The works on Turkey Hill and Quaker Hill are no longer visible. The land here has been cultivated for many years, and the industrious island farmer has not allowed sentiment to inter- fere with his crops. Continuing southward were the forts and intrenchments hitherto referred to in and around Newport. When the American army again occupied 142 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES this territory, additional works were built and those already existing were strength- ened. A work was built on Coaster's Island, and another on Rose Island, armed with forty pieces of heavy artillery. In 1 78 1, a battery was erected on Halli- don Hill, " as this height commanded at short artillery range all the batteries at Brenton's Point and on Goat Island." #\II(l((l[((((((l([|(!f|[(/((l(lf////% ^ ■• - iriim " i/// - ^ji([iiii|iiiinii!fiinii!|iifi(iiiniHiiH% / ''' 5 m Chastlllux This fort was first called Fort Chastellux " after the Chevalier de Chastellux, one of Rochambeau's Mareschaux des Camps ; " after the Revolution it was called Fort Har- rison, being on the Harrison farm; and later it was called " Fort Denham, from some local association." General Cullum, in his work previously referred to, says that in 1884 a portion of this fort was situated in front of the Thorp cottage (between Berkley and 142 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES this territory, additional works were built and those already existing were strength- ened. A work was built on Coaster's Island, and another on Rose Island, armed with forty pieces of heavy artillery. In 1 78 1, a battery was erected on Halli- don Hill, " as this height commanded at short artillery range all the batteries at Brenton's Point and on Goat Island." ^\II[|[flll((l[[ll!!fi(ll!(/% ^ 4W[iii[|[iiifiii!miiiii|imi[|iHiiiii"% v %, tort *%0 Chasteillux This fort was first called Fort Chastellux " after the Chevalier de Chastellux, one of Rochambeau's Mareschaux des Camps ; " after the Revolution it was called Fort Har- rison, being on the Harrison farm; and later it was called " Fort Denham, from some local association." General Cullum, in his work previously referred to, says that in 1884 a portion of this fort was situated in front of the Thorp cottage (between Berkley and IN RHODE ISLAND 143 King streets), while yet another work was visible on the " Ocean drive " near the south- west extremity of the island, toward Castle Hill; both have since disappeared. To the west of Newport on Conanicut, was located, in 1777, the Dumplings Rock battery, having an armament of eight eigh- teen-pound guns. No vestige of this remains. The present old ruin called Fort Dumplings, and the Dumplings tower, is of later construction, it being built between the years 1 798 and 1800. At that time, a new system of works for the protection of Narragansett Bay was projected, among which was the Dumplings fort. The construction of this system was placed under the supervision of Major Louis Tousard, a Frenchman, who had served gal- lantly with the American army during the Revolution, losing an arm at the action of Butt's Hill. This fort is often alluded to as a relic of the Revolution, and to correct this mistaken idea, this reference to it is made. South of the Dumplings tower, toward Beaver Tail, was another fort, which has since disappeared; while to the north toward Beaver Head on the west side of the island was another. This is yet well preserved 144 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES and is situated on the Clarke farm ; these completed the defences on Conanicut. Perhaps, however, it would be an injustice to omit from the Conanicut defences, men- tion of " Eldred's one-gun battery"; for it INLAND A SI _,...!,:. jr/ ''""0,, fbRTO/MTHE J . or $ ** V ■^ w 8# S*^ : ^#t°AIAMCUT appears to have been of some consequence, after all. On the Eldred farm on the east side of Conanicut lived Farmer Eldred, a patriot of the purest type. On his farm there was a great rock on the high land overlooking the /.V RHODE ISLAND 145 water; here Farmer Eldred planted one of the guns taken from the fort on the island. From time to time the patriotic old farmer would amuse himself by firing a shot at the British vessels as they passed up and down the east passage. One day he was fortunate enough to put a ball through the mainsail of one of the enemy's ships. This little pleasantry, on the part of Farmer Eldred, was not relished by the Britisher; a boat was lowered, and a force sent ashore to dislodge the company, which it was supposed occupied the station, and spike the gun. Upon seeing the boat lowered, Mr. Eldred quickly hid himself in the swamp on his farm, and when the boat's party arrived on the spot nothing was found but the gun mounted in the cleft of the rock. This they spiked, but the company they expected to capture had vanished as completely as though swallowed up by the earth. This was Eldred's one-gun battery. All these works on Conanicut were occu- pied by the British, from the time they landed at Newport, in December, 1776, until the 8th of August, 1778, but on this date, in antici- pation of the occupancy of the island by the French, the British forces spiked the 146 REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES guns, destroyed the magazines, abandoned the works, and retreated to Newport. Across the west passage on the mainland in South Kingstown, at what is called Bonnet Point, was an earthwork called the Bonnet battery; this was thrown up during the years 1777 and 1778, about the time the forts on Conanicut were built. It was an elliptical -lUUllUC'PII,,,,, ^\.uUU\lllllll[//////,/^ "/ mt: xm #v- %m Fort at - QNAIEIT 1 J work and can be seen there to-day. It was continuously occupied by Rhode Island troops. The form of the fort at the Bonnet has, undoubtedly, been much changed since it was erected during the Revolution. Twice since that time has it been rebuilt and occu- IN RHODE ISLAND 147 pied for the defence of the state. During the War of 181 2 a battery was located here; and during the Civil War, when it was reported that the Confederate cruiser, Alabama, was off the coast, it was again strengthened, and an artillery company located here for some weeks. So far as a careful study of the records and authorities relating to the Revolutionary period will disclose, the various forts and means of defence, 1 here described, are all that were erected on Rhode Island soil dur- ing the struggle for American independence. During the war, on occasions of alarm, artillery companies were stationed at many points along the shore, and simple breast- works were thrown up to cover the guns, but they are hardly to be considered as fortifica- tions. While many of these works have entirely disappeared, there are yet enough left to recall those stirring days when a foreign foe menaced the Narragansett's shores, and our fathers fought for liberty. 1 An account of the naval defences is purposely omitted. INDEX OF NAMES. Aborn, Anthony, 93. James, 92, 109. John, 89. John A., 89. Lorey, 89. Samuel, 93, Col., 86. Abram, John, 92. Adams, Ebenezer, Lieut., 80. Joseph, 106, in. Nudigate, Corpl., 105. Aldrich, Abel, 8. Allbrow, Robert, 1 26. Allen, Asa, m. Barrett, 91. Beriah, 91. John, 93, in. Joseph V., Fifer, 106. Paul, 31, 44, 86. Stephen, 118. Thomas, 38. Allen, Thomas, Capt., 37, 105, 106. Viall, 38; Ensign, 38; Lieut., 105. William, Capt., 125. Almy, Jeremiah, 10. Andrew, Benjamin, 92. Whipple, 92. Andrews, Benjamin, Fifer, no. James, Jr., 10. William, 106. Angell, Daniel, n. Israel, Col., 125. James, Col., 70. John, Capt., 94. Joseph, 8. Nathan, 53. Nehemiah, Ensign, 6. Anthony, Daniel, 48. Reuben, in. Aplin, Stephen, in. William, 115. Arbuthnot, Admiral, 112. Arnold, Benedict, Col., n. Benjamin, Col., 6, 87, 8 David, 95. George, 89. Israel, 89; Sergt., 88. Israel, Jr., Sergt., 88. Jabez, 6. James, 53; Lieut., 91. Jesse, 92, 109. Jonathan, 31; Col., 70. Joseph, 92. Lemuel, 89. Moses, 89. Oliver, Lieut. -Col., 87, I Othniel, Corpl., 6. Philip, 87, 88. Stephen, 109. William, Corpl., 6. Atwood, John, Sergt., 93. Austin, Daniel, S3. George, 118. Isaiah, II. Pasco, 8, 13. Babcock, Aaron, 1 18. Benjamin, 87. John P., 10. Joshua, Sergt, 9. Nathan, 2d, 123. Samuel, 101. William, 101. Bagnall, Robert, 91. Bailey, John, 92. 349 ISO INDEX OF NAMES Bailey, Lemuel, Lieut, 12. William, 109. Baker, Olney, 109. Barber, Thomas, 118. Barker, Isaac, no. Samuel, Corpl., 100. Barnes, Captain, 95. Samuel, 106. Barron, Lieutenant, 128. Barrows, David, 87. Bartlett, Isaac, III. Barton, William, 38; Col., 139. Bassett, Joseph, III. Zachariah, 6. Battey, Benjamin, 91. Joseph, 109. Bemus, Jotham, 126. Benedict, Nathaniel, 118. Bennett, Benjamin, Jr., 91. Edward, 8, 11. John, Jr., 10. Joseph, 8, 10. Micajah, in. William, 126. Berry, James, Warden, 54. Timothy, no. Bickford, Thomas, 6. Bicknell, Joshua, Jr., 106. Thomas, 26. Thomas W., 37, 105. Bigford, Thomas, Drummer, 93. Bishop, Naman, Corpl., 7. Oliver, 8. Bissell, Samuel, 9, 120. W., A. D. C, 72. Blackmar, Amaziah, 6. Blanchard, Benjamin, 126. Blancher, James, 6. Bliven, James, 9. Blodgett, William, 77. Booth, John, S. Boss, Benjamin, 6. Bosworth, Benajah, II. Benjamin, 104. Jonathan, Jr., 106. Joseph, 6, 13. Samuel, Capt. , 106. Bowdish, Asa, 126. Bowen, Jabez, Col., 22. Bowen, Josiah, 106. Bowman, Captain, 95. Bradford, William, Dept.-Gov., 98, 99, 104, 123. Bridges, John, 12. Obadiah, 8. Briggs, Allen, 8. Jonathan, 126. Joseph, 8, 10. Yelverton, 109. Brightman, David, 92. Brown, Benedict, 9. Charles, 6. Christopher, 115. Daniel, no. Free, 92. George, no. Jeremiah, 115. John, 68, 123. Joseph, 43, 53, 70, 84, 93, 109. Joseph, Master, 54. Moses, 67; Sergt., 12. Obadiah, 65. Oliver, in. Rowland, Ensign, 115. Samuel, 92. Tobias, 1 10. Bucklin, Joseph, 43. Squire, 6. Bullock, Joseph, 106. Burch, John, III. Burgess, Joseph, 89. Burke, Joseph, III. Burlingame, Jere, Corpl., 7. Solomon, 6. Burr, Ezekiel, III. Burrill, Captain, 73. Button, Isaiah, 10. Samuel, IOI. Calendar, Elisha, ill. Cambridge, John, 13. Cappell, Peter, 8. Capron, Oliver, 92. Card, Job, 92. Carder, James, Ensign, 91. Carlisle, John, 77. Carpenter, Elisha, Sergt., 87, 88. INDEX OF NAMES 151 Carr, Captain, 95. Isaac, 91. Carver, Oliver, 93. Casey, Wanton, 107. Chadvvick, John, 126. Champlin, John, 118. Samuel, Lieut., 100. Thomas, 115. Chapman, Rufus, 6. Chappell, James, Drummer, 100. Thomas, IOI. Charles, Stephen, 101. Chase, Job, 101. Joseph, 108. Samuel, Jr., 86. Child, Martin, Sergt., 100. Church, Joshua, 9. Thomas, Col., 103. Clarke, Asa, Drummer, 9. Cary, 118. Edward, 118. Eleazer, 8. Ethan, Capt., 9. George, Fife Major, 125. Jere, 93. John, Jr., 115. Nathaniel, 106. Nicholas, Sergt., 9. Roger, 118. William C, 115. Clinton, Sir Henry, 129. Cockran, Moses, Corpl., 12. Coddington, Edward, 109. Coggeshall, Caleb, 92. Joshua, 92. Thomas, 92. Cole, Edward, 126. John, 91. Levi, 26. Thomas, Lieut., 9. Colgrove, Caleb, 6. Collins, Christopher, 8, 10. Joseph, 10. Colt, Peter, Commissary, 35. Colvin, Peleg, 10. Thomas, Jr., 8. Coman, Zephaniah, 7. Compton, William, Town Sergt., 56, 58- Comstock, Job, 109. Conant, Samuel, 106. Congdon, William, 10. Cooke, John, Lieut. -Col., 103. Nicholas, Gov., 24, 45, 89, ioi, 105, 108, 128, 129, 140. Coon, Arnold, 9. John, 9. William, 118. Corkern, Morris, 7. Cornell, Ezekiel, 38. Gideon, Lieut., 93. Joseph, 109. Corpe, Caleb, 87; Sergt., 88. Stephen, Drummer, no. Cottrell, James, 115. Nathan, 115. Coyhues, William, 10. Crandall, Asa, 118. Gideon, 118. John, 126. Leary, 101. Nathan, 10. Simeon, 118. Thomas, 118. Crawford, Arthur, 86. Gideon, Jr., 86. Croton, Thomas, 92. Cullum, General, 135, 142. Curtis, Bethuel, 7. Cushing, Charles, in. Dailey, Solomon, 8. Davenport, Addington, 68. Davis, Joshua, 101. Seth, 89. William, 82, no. William, Drum Major, 125. Daw, Edward, 8. De Chastellux, Chevalier, 142. De Choisy, M., 114. Dolbey, Jonathan, 7. Douglas, David, 115. Thomas, 9. Drown, Benjamin, Jr., Corpl., 105. Daniel, 106. Drowne, Solomon, 53, 56. William, 54. 152 INDEX OF NAMES Drummer, Amos, 101. Dyer, Christopher, Capt., 100. Colonel, 120. Esek, 88. William, Jr., 115. Earle, William, Capt., 46, 48. Easterbrooks, Edward, Corpl., 126. Eddy, Barnard, Capt., 26, 64, 65, 68. Joseph, 65. Thomas, 93. William, 93. Edmans, William, 7. Edwards, Ephraim, II. John, Jr., II. Stephen, 8, 11. William, 8. Eggleston, Benjamin, 101. Elbert, Samuel, 118. Eldridge, Samuel, 11. Ellery, William, 25, 89, 98. Ellis, Thomas, Sergt. , 12. Emerson, William, Chaplain, 14. Ervin, James, 101. Exceen, John, 126. Fairbanks, Jonathan, 92. Fales, Nathaniel, 112. Fenner, Stephen, 89. Stephen, Sergt., 87. Field, Abner, 88, 89. Jacob, 1 10. Jeremiah, 88. John, 75, no. Nehemiah, Ensign, 7. Pardon, Fifer, 88. Peter, no. Thomas, 60. William, 61, 62, 64. Fiske, Caleb, Dr., 10. Daniel, 10, 109. Ford, Abel, 7. Foresight, Ebenezer, Corpl., no. Foster, Benoni, Sergt., 100. Elijah, 12. Franklin, Nathan, 11. Uriah, Jr., 11. Frink, Oliver, 9. Fry, Allen, 92. Fuller, Francis, Jr., II. John, 8. Gardiner, Allen, 115. Ephraim, 115. Frederick, 115. George, 9. John, Capt., 115. Lory, 115. Nathan, 115. Nicholas Easton, 115. Richard, 115. William, Lieut., 118. Gates, Horatio, Maj.-Gen., 35. Gerry, Elbridge, 25. Gibbs, Josiah, Capt., 85. Gills, John, 68. Gilman, Thomas, 56, 67, 68. Gilson, John, in. Goddard, William, 41. Godfrey, Samuel, 86. Goff, James, 106. Gonsolve, John, III. Good, Jacob, 12. Goodbed, Jonathan, 9. Gorham, Jabez, Sergt., 110. Gorton, Benjamin, 8. Edward, 91. Thomas, Capt., 85. William, Jr., 93, 108. Gouge, William, 12. Grant, Abiel, 106. Ebenezer, 106. John, Jr., 8. Thomas, Corpl., 106. Graves, Constant, 10. Gray, Charles, 126. Greene, Abraham, 92. Benjamin, 93. Benjamin, E., 89. Edward, 118. Godfrey, 91. Jacob, & Co., 39. James, 88. JohnC, 87. Joseph, 89. Lewis S., 89. INDEX OF NAMES i- 153 Greene, Nathanael, Hon., 129. Nathanael, Gen., 14, 38, 129. Rhodes, 87, 88. Richard, 88, 89. Samuel, 118. Stephen (son of John), Corp., 93. William (son of Nathl.), 109. William, Clerk, 87, 88. William, 87. Griffith, George, 9. John, III. Hackston, Nathaniel, 91. Hall, Benjamin, 118. Ebenezer, 37. John, Sergt., 118. Silas, 118. Samuel, 37. William, 109. Hambleton, William, 92. Harden, William, 106. Harrington, Paul, Ensign, 9. Harris, Nathaniel, Sergt., 126. James, 87. Harvey, Paul, 118. Silas, 118. Uriah, 118. William, 9. Hawkes, John, ill, Hawkins, Jotham, 7. Luther, ill. Hayden, James, Corpl., 12. Hazard, Henry, 118. Jonathan, Corpl., 9. Stephen, 126. Helme, James, Jr., 115. Robert, 115. Rouse T. , Lieut., 115. William, 109. Hemenway, Moses, 12. Hewes, Elijah, no. Hewit, Charles, Sergt., 100. Edmund, Fifer, 100. Higgarty, Cornelius, 12. Hill, Eben, 88. Ebenezer, 9. James, 86. Hill, John, 10. Jonathan, 126. Hines, Pain, 7. Reuben, 7. Hitchcock, Daniel, Col., 6, 7. Hodge, Benjamin, Corpl., 100. Holbrook, Felix, 20. H olden, Charles, Jr., 123. Holdridge, William, 87, 89. Holley, John, 13. Hooker, Silas, 12. Hopkins, Clarke, Corpl., 100. Ephraim, 7. Esek, Capt., 46, 48. Jeremiah, 25. Joel, 7. Oliver, 7. Peleg, 93. Samuel, n. Stephen, Hon., 70. Timothy, Sergt., 6. Uriah, in. Hornton, Abel, 7. Horton, Benjamin, 106. Isaac, 10. Moses, 106. Howard, Silas, Corpl., 7. Howland, Daniel, Jr., 92. John, 59, 61. Hoxsey, Peleg, Capt., 117, 118. Hudson, William, no. Hughes, Thomas, Capt., 125. Humphreys, William, Lieut., 12. Humphries, William, Capt., 125. Humphry, Josiah, Jr., Corpl., 105. Hunt, Simeon, in. Ingraham, Jeremy, 104. Irish, George, 112. James, Allen, 115. Amos, 101. Jeffers, Simon, 8. William, 8. Jenckes, Stephen, 26, 43. Jencks, Amos, Lieut., 7. Oliver, 8. Jillson, John, III. Johnson, Allen, Capt., 92, 116. 1 54 INDEX OF NAMES Johnson, Edward, 101. Job, Corpl., 1 1 8. Peleg, 126. Stephen, 9. Theodate, 11S. Jones, Abel, 92. Abraham, 7, 12. Elijah, 13. Jesse, III. John, 68. William, 106. Jordan, Samuel, 126. Justin, Philip, Corpl., 126. Keene, Abner, no. Benjamin, Sergt., 1 10. Benjamin, Jr., Sergt., HO. Captain, 73. Prince, 26. Kelley, William, 106. Kent, Joshua, 106. Kilton, John I., 10. Kimball, Amos, 93, 108. David, 93. Joseph, Capt, 93. Stephen, Capt., 6. King, George, 8. William, 8. Kinicut, Daniel, Ensign, 105. Kinnon, Remington, 109. Kinyon, Moses, 118. Knight, Christopher, II. David, 8, 10. Jonathan, Jr., 10. Joseph, Capt., 5, 7, 10. Rufus, 8. Thomas, 10. Thomas, Jr., Sergt., 7. William, 10. Lake, Eli, 100. Lane, Captain, 95. Larcher, William, Fifer, no. Latham, John, 12. Joseph, 10. Lawrence, David, 13, 31, 68. Lee, General, 96. Lewis, John, 101. Jonathan, 9. Lewis, Lubius, 9. Nathan, 101. Libby, David, ill. Lockwood, Abraham, 93. Lovell, General, 95. Low, Anthony, 93. Anthony, Sergt., 91. Benjamin, in. Samuel, 126. Stephen, 91. Thomas, Corpl., 12. Luther, David, 106. John, in. Macomber, Ebenezer, Lieut., 125. John, Sergt., 125. Reuben, 126. Malmedy, Francois Lellorquis, 96, 97- Manchester, John, 8, 11. Marchant, Gideon, 98. Henry, 98. Martin, Benjamin, 106. Edward, 26, 27, 106. Samuel, 106. Marvin, James, Warden, 54. Mason, Isaac, 1 1 1. James B., 77. Mathewson, John, 31, 98. John, Col., 70. Richard, 41, 91. Zachariah, no. Matteson, William, 109. McMillion, Charles, 101. Medbury, Hezekiah, 7. Isaac, Sergt., 6. Millard, Benjamin, 118. Miller, James, 109. John, 10S. Nathan, 31. Nathan, Brig. -Gen., 109. Monk, James, 12. Morris, Philip, 8. Munro, James, 86. Nice, Magnus, 126. Nichols, Caleb, 8. Charles, 92. Eleazer, 100. INDEX OF NAMES 155 Nichols, William, 126. Nightingale, Joseph, Col., 70, 86, 87. Samuel, Jr., 46, 48. Noyes, James, Col., 123. O'Daniel, Manie, 13. Olney, Coggeshall, Capt., 125. Elisha, 6. Isaac, 41. Jeremiah, Capt. 7. Nathan, Sergt., 6. Stephen, 38. Stephen, Capt., 125. Tilly M., no. Ormsbee, Henry, 54. Osbond, George, 101. Hugh, 100. Page, Ambrose, 46, 48. Thomas, Sergt., 12. Paine, Oliver, 89. Parker, James, 10. Thomas, II. William, Jr., 126. William, Sr., 126. Payn, Oliver, 87. Pearce, Benoni, 75. James, 115. Samuel, Jr., 93. Thomas, 6. William, 138. Peck, Amos, 106. Elihu, 26, 27. George, Lieut.-Col., no. Lewis, 86. Nathaniel, 106. Soloman, Jr., Clerk, 106. William, in. Peckham, Barker, Lieut., 100. Seth, 93. ' ' Peirce, Samuel, 87. Perigo, Robert, 9. Perkins, Homes, 6. Joseph, 115. Perry, Benjamin, 115. Petril, John, 115. Phettiplace, William, 20. Phillips, Abraham, Capt., 93. Phillips, John, 10. John, Drummer, 7. Picker, Jonathan, 92. Pickering, Timothy, Jr., 37. Pierce, Job, Capt., 103. Stephen, 92. Pike, Captain, 95. Plumb, Nathaniel, Fifer, 9. Pomp, John, 10. Popple, George, 9. John, 9. Potter, Elisha, Sergt., 100. Holiman, Sergt., 7. James, 115. Prince, in. Simeon, 99, 104. Thomas, Lieut., 115. Winsor, 93. Power, Nicholas, Capt., 45, 60, 67. Pratt, William, Sergt., 125. Proctor, William, Sergt. -Major, 125. Putnam, Colonel, 102. Ralfe, Nathan, 10. Randall, Eleazer, 8. Henry, 87. Jeremiah, 88, 89. Job, Capt., 91. John, 87, 89. Waterman, 8. Remington, Captain, 86. David, Corpl., 9. Joseph, 10. Thomas, 89. Remock, David, 6. Reynolds, Henry, 115. Thomas, 109. Thomas, Corpl., 118. Rhodes, Charles, 87. James, 88, 89. Joseph, Surgeon, 88. Peter, 88. Robert, Capt., 108. Sylvester, Major, 87, 88. Sylvester, 109. William, 86. Rice, John, 89. 1 56 INDEX OF NAMES Rice, Randall, Ensign, ioo. Richmond, Barzillai, 75. Barzillai, Capt., 73. Barzillai, Col., 70. Ichabod, 8. Riggs, Abimelech, Warden, 54. Roberts, Collins, 8, 10. Robinson, Christopher, Ensign, no. Elihu, 31. John, 12. Rochambeau, 112. Rockwell, Jabez, 32, ^2- Rodman, William, 115. Roger, Moses, 9. Rolfe, Obadiah, 10. Rose, Abraham, 126. James, 115. John, 115. Rue, Daniel, 92. Russell, Captain, 73. John, III. William, 86. Salisbury, Jonathan, 93. Joseph, no. Salsbury, George, Sergt., 105. Philip, Corpl. , 6. William, 126. Sanders, Augustus, 118. Sarle, Elisha, S. Thomas, Jr., 8. Saunders, Daniel, 11S. Sayles, William, 109. Seamans, Daniel, 93. John, Jr., 93. Scranton, Daniel, 9. Sheffield, Jeremiah, 31, 115. Joseph, 118. Sheldon, Christopher, Gunner, 46. James, Capt., 88. John, 106, in. William, in. Sherburne, Henry, Col., 23. William, III. Shippee, Peregrine, 6. Short, John, Jr., 106. Samuel, Drummer, 106. Shote, James, 9. Singleton, Samuel, 7; Sergt., 12. Skinner, David, 10. Slack, Lemuel, 93. Smart, Andrew, 92. Smith, Amos, 9. Benjamin, 88. Ebenezer, 101. Gideon, 10. Hope, Corpl., 93. Ichabod, 91. James, m. John, 101. Jonathan, Lieut., 6. Nathaniel, 106; Sergt., 105. Peregrine, 6. Reuben, Corpl., 126. Simon, 48, 88, 89; Capt., 46. Stephen, 88. Thomas, 126. William, Corpl., IOO. Snow, Captain, 73. Daniel, 75; Jr., 75. Joseph, 75; Jr., 75; Jr., Lieut., no. Spears, Jeremiah, in. Spencer, General, 72. George, 92; son of John, 92. John, 92. Silas, 109. Stephen, 92. Thomas, son of Abner, 109. William, 92. Springer, Knight, Drummer, 126. Stafford, Arnold, 108. Daniel, Corpl., 9. Michael, 126. William, II. Stainer, George, Corpl., no. Stanbury, John, 101, Stanton, Colonel, 140. Henry, Fifer, 118. Stanton, Vernon, 1 18. Steere, Caleb, 8, 10. Stone, Benjamin, 93. James, 8, 13. Job, Drummer, no. John, 87, 89. Josiah, 92, 109. INDEX OF NAMES 157 Straight, Job, 109. Sullivan, John, Gen., 75. Sumner, Captain, 70, 71. Thomas N., 66. Sunderland, Augustus, Sergt., 1 1 Swain, John, 6. Sweet, Benjamin, 88; Jr., 92. Daniel, 92. Oliver, 92. Samuel, Capt., 80. Thomas, 108. William, Jr., 109. Talbot, Silas, 38. Tallman, Captain, 60. Tannant, James, 101. Tanner, George, 9. Tarbox, Samuel, 109. Taylor, Ambrose, 89. Benjamin, 93. William, 10; Jr., 8. Teale, John, in, Thomas, in. Tefft, David, in. George, 31, 115. James, 3d, 115. Solomon, 115. Tew, William, Capt., 125. Thayer, Eleazer, 12. Simeon, Capt., n, 12. Thompson, John, 12. London, 10. Reuben, 126. Thornton, Charles, 88. Stukely, 8, 10. Thomas, 6. Thurber, Amos, 126. Benjamin, 31, 43. Darius, 126. Tiffany, Ebenezer, 106. Tifft, Caleb, 100. Tillinghast, T, Col., 116. Titus, Simeon, 106. Tory, John, 115. Tourtellot, William, in. Tousard, Louis, Major, 143. Tripp, Bernon, in. Tummage, Jonas, 10. Tyler, Isaac, Capt., 136. Updike, John, 48 : Capt., 46, 65. Usher, John, 126. Utter, Zebulon, 92. Varnum, General, 125. Vaughan, Amos, 92. Christopher, 91. Daniel, Lieut., 80. David, 92. Thomas, 92. Verry, William, in. Viall, Samuel, 106. Sylvester, 106. Von Heesingen, Colonel, 38. Waite, Job, 101. John, 115. Walker, Elijah, in. John, 6. Nathan, 6, 10. Wall, William, 86. Wallace, James, Capt., 44, 57. Walling, Jeremiah, 7. Wappy, John, 118. Warner, Ezekiel, 109. Samuel, Capt., 49; Lieut., 46. Thomas, 89, 90; Corpl., 9'- Washington, General, 20, 24, 105, 128. Waterman, Asa, Capt., 35. Benjamin, 87. John, 88. John, Col., 84, 85, 89, 90, 94: 95- 96- Nathan, 89. Nathan, Fifer, 7. William, 88. Zuriel, 87. Watson, Job, 55, 127. John, 106. Peleg, 10. Walter, 115. William, 9. Weatherhead, Comfort, 6. Weaver, Abial, 126. Thomas, 8. 158 INDEX OF NAMES Weeden, Ephraim, 109. John, 115. Weeks, Oliver, 8. Welch, James, 12. Wells, James, 118. John, 32. Thomas, 92. William, 92. West, General, 84, 128. Thomas, 93. Westcott, Caleb, 115. Eleazer, 10. James, 7. Jeremiah, 6, 91. Nathan, 109. Stukely, 8. Thomas, 89. Whaley, Job, Sergt, 116. Wheaton, Charles, Sergt., no. James, Warden, 54. Wheeler, Silas, Corpl., 12. Stephen, IOI. Whipple, Joel, 8. John, Capt., no. Joseph, in. White, Aaron, 86. Nathan, 8. Whiting, Nathan, 9. Whitman, David, 6. John, 6. Whitman, Philip, Ensign, 108. Stephen, 93. Whitmore, Benjamin, 11. Whittlesey, Nathan, Q. M. S, 125. Wickes, Thomas, 94. Wilbor, Samuel, 10. Simeon, n. Wilcox, Stephen, 118. Williams, Benjamin, 88, 89. Jeremiah, no. Joseph, 6. Squire, 55. Stephen, III. Thomas, Drummer, 88. Waterman, 32. Willis, Jesse, 10. Wilmarth, Levi, III. Wilson, George, 115. Richard, 10. Winsor, Samuel, 65. Wood, Benjamin, 10. Benjamin, Capt., 7. Ezekiel, 10. James, 8. Wordin, Walter, 9. Wording, Arnold, 118. William, 118. Young, George, n. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Alarm at Bristol, 105. East Greenwich, 108. Army of Observation to be raised, 3. Arrival of British fleet in New- port, 127. Attack on Bristol, account of, 59- Wickford, account of, 119. Barrington companies respond to Bristol alarm, 105. Battery at Barber's Height, 123. Battery F, First R. I. L. A., oc- cupy Butt's Hill Fort, 141. Bayonet-maker exempt from mili- tary duty, 31. Beacon at Cumberland, 55. Providence, 43, 52, 53. Scituate, 55. Tonomy Hill, 55. Bill for the beacon at Providence, 53- for equipments, 27; work at Field's Point forts, 67; Fox Hill Fort, 67. Blaskowitz's table of defences, 124. Bounties provided, 19. British fleet threatens Newport, 112. officers ridicule Continental officers, 37. British troops occupy Newport, 68, 70, 129. ravage unprotected houses, 69. land on Prudence Island, 85. Camp equipage for Warren mili- tia, 34. Cannon supplied to the towns, 39. Canteens, description of, 33. Cartridge boxes, description of, 21. Census of males and arms in Providence, 26. Cider carried away by soldiers, 138. Common Fence Point, Spitfire grounds on, 136. Distribution of cannon in the state, 121. Eldred's one-gun battery, 144, 145. Fascines recommended for Paw- tuxet, 97. Form of enlistment, 20. Fort Anne, 79. Barton, 139. Chastellux, 142. Daniel, 107. Denham, 142. George, 79, 80. Harrison, 142. Independence, 63. Liberty, 79. "Owl's Nest," 139. Sullivan, 75. Washington, 79. William Henry, 7S. Fort at Barker's Hill, 134. Beacon Hill, 103. Beaver Head, 143. Beaver Tail, 117, 143. Bliss Hill, 132. Bonnet Point, 146. Brenton's Point, 146. Bristol, 104. '59 i6o INDEX OF SUBJECTS Fort at Bristol Ferry, 98, 138. Bullock's Point, 124. Burr's Hill, 125. Butt's Hill, 130, 139, 141. Castle Hill, 143. Coaster's Island, 142. Coddington's Cove, 1 34. Coddington's Point, 131, 134. Dumplings, 83, 143. Field's Point, 61, 63. Fogland Ferry, 130. Fox Hill, 45, 48, 56. Goat Island, 79, 80. Hallidon Hill, 142. Hog Pen Point, 76. Honeyman's Hill, 132. Howland's Ferry, 99. Kettle Point, 61. Lawton's Valley, 130. Pawtuxet Neck, 61, 85. Popasquash Point, 124. Prospect Hill, 72, 73, 74. Quaker Hill, 141. Robin Hill, 59. Rose Island, 142. Sassafras Point, 45, 59. Tonomy Hill, 102, 103, 131, 133- Turkey Hill, 141. Warren, 125. Warwick Neck, 84, 89. Forts on Conanicut abandoned, 145. French army withdrawn from Rhode Island, 112. fleet ordered to remain at Newport, 113; Job Whaley notes departure of, 1 1 6. Green End, fort at, 132. Guard established at Boston Neck, 103. Bristol, 113. Charlestown, 117. Fogland Ferry, 103. Fox Hill Fort, 56. Little Compton, 103. North Kingstown, 117. Point Judith, 117. Guard established at Quidnessett Neck, 85V Quonset, 120. Seaconnet Point, 117. South Ferry, 103, 117. Tiverton, 103. Watch Hill, 117. Wickford, 103. Guns and ammunition removed from Fort George, 80. Gun-makers exempt from military duty, 31. Gun-makers in Providence, 26. Handbills distributed to adver- tise trial of beacon, 49. Headquarters of Col. John Water- man, 93. Homestead of the Fields of Pum- gansett, 62. Intrenchments at Bristol, 104. Field's Point, 61, 63. Newport, 131, 134. Warwick, 96. Kay Street (Newport), intrench- ments cross, 135. Kentish Guards build fort at East Greenwich, 107. ordered to Newport, 113. Kingstown Reds ordered to New- port, 113. Letter of Governor Cooke to General Washington, 128. Solomon Drowne to William Drowne, 53, 57. General Spencer to town of Providence, 72. Capt. Asa Waterman to Peter Colt, 35. General Washington to Gov- ernor Cooke, 24. Liquor provided to encourage enlistments, 19. List of Barrington Artillery Com- pany, 106; Infantry Company, 105. INDEX OF SUBJECTS 161 List of Capt. Ethan Clarke's Com- pany, 9. Capt. Peleg Hoxsey's Com- pany, 117. Capt. Stephen Kimball's Company, 6. Capt. Joseph Knight's Com- pany, 10. Capt. Jeremiah Olney's Com- pany, 7. Capt. Robert Rhodes' Com- pany, 108. Capt. Simon Thayer's Com- pany, 12. Capt. William Tew's Com- pany, 125. Capt. John Whipple's Com- pany, no. Kingstown Reds, 115. Pawtuxet Rangers, 87, 88. men ordered to Warwick Neck, 91, 92, 93. Lottery authorized to encourage manufacture of arms, 25. Massachusetts offers aid to build forts, 99. Memorial to Continental Con- gress, S2. Military companies ordered to work on fortifications, 73. Mud battery at Bristol, 104. Newport besieged by the British, 44- town meeting authority ques- tioned, 82. inhabitants work on fortifica- tions, 81. North Battery, 83. North Providence Rangers at Warwick Neck, 94. Notice of trial of beacon, 50. Observatory at Tonomy Hill, 133- Officers in command at Fort Liberty, 80. Paper mill workmen exempt from military duty, 32. Powder-horn at Valley Forge, description of, 32. Powder mills erected, 41. Projectiles supplied to the colony, 39- Providence Company of Cadets at Pawtuxet, 87. Providence inhabitants work on fortification, 57, 73. Records of Newport referred to, 80. Redoubts on road to Upper Ferry, 67. Rehoboth inhabitants build forti- fication, 76. Roof account at Providence, 26. Saltpetre mills erected, 41. Shoemakers, wigmakers, and bar- bers, 38. Spitfire galley ashore on Com- mon Fence Point, 116. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, 135, 139. Table of defences in Narragansett Bay, 124. Tavern, David Arnold's, at War- wick, 95. Training days and ways, 2. Trial of beacon at Providence, 49. Tonomy Hill, 55. War of 1812, fortifications built, 77- Warrant to Warwick company, 90. Warwick soldiers ordered to War- wick Neck, 91, 92, 93. Washington galley refuses aid to Spitfire, 136. Watch station at Tower Hill, 43, 55- Whaley, Job, notes departure of French fleet, 116. Wickford gun, story of, 119. PUBLICATIONS PRESTON & ROUNDS, PROVIDENCE, R.I. PUBLICATIONS OF PRESTON & ROUNDS, PROVIDENCE, R.I. History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1636-1790. By SAMUEL GREENE ARNOLD. New Edition. 2 vols. Octavo. 574 and 600 pp. $7.50, net. Governor Arnold's History of Rhode Island, based upon a careful study of documents in the British State Paper Office and in the Rhode Island State Archives, supplemented by in- vestigations at Paris and The Hague, has from its publication been the authoritative history of the State. Genealogical students will find in these volumes the names of over fifteen hundred persons prominent in Rhode Island affairs. This work is of much more than local interest, as the experi- ment of religious liberty here tried gives to this history an im- portance far beyond the narrow limits of the State. " One of the best State histories ever written is S. G. Arnold's His- tory of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."— John FlSKE. "The best history of Rhode Island is that of Arnold." — Prof. George P. Fisher, Yale University. " Mr. Samuel Greene Arnold in his history of Rhode Island has brought together all the extant materials. He brings out more clearly than any previous writer the distinct threads of the previous settle- ments."— Prof. John A. Doyle, Oxford. "A work prepared after long and careful research. Probably no student has ever made himself more familiar with the history of Rhode Island than did Arnold. This work abounds, therefore, in valuable in- formation."— Pres. Charles Kendall Adams, Cornell University. SENT POSTPAID BY THE PUBLISHERS. 3 Among Rhode Island Wild Flowers. By W. WHITMAN BAILEY, Professor of Botany, Brown University. Cloth. i6mo. Three full-page Illustrations. 75 cents, net. This admirable little volume, the outgrowth of the author's ripe experience in teaching and in botanizing, contains a popular and interesting account of Rhode Island wild flowers as distrib- uted throughout the State. The favorite collecting grounds are fully described, thus forming a botani- cal guide to Rhode Island. 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For a study of this episode in New England Colonial History this work is invaluable. The index of all names contained in the lists and text is a feature of this work. The edition is limited to two hundred and fifty numbered copies. Sent postpaid to any address on receipt of one dollar. Early Rhode Island Houses. An Historical and Architectural Study by Norman M. Isham, Instruc- tor in Architecture, Brown University, and Albert F. Brown, Architect. Illustrated with a map and over fifty full-page plates. $3.50, net. No feature in the study of the early life of New England is more valuable or more interesting than the architecture. Noth- ing throws more light on the home life of the colonists than the knowledge of how they planned and built their dwellings. Early Rhode Island Houses gives a clear and accurate account of the early buildings and methods of construction, showing the historical development of architecture among the Rhode Island colonists, the striking individuality in the work of the colony and the wide difference between the buildings here and the contemporary dwelling in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Those interested in colonial life may here look into the early homes of Rhode Island with their cavernous fireplaces and enormous beams. The student will find in these old examples a valuable commentary on New England history, while the architect will discover in the measurements and analyses of construction much of professional interest. Among the houses described are the Smith Garrison House and the homesteads of the families of Fenner, Olney, Field, Crawford, Waterman, Mowry, Arnold, Whipple, and Manton. 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The authors have discussed the historical relation of Rhode Island work to contemporary building in the other New England colonies and in the mother country. The book is a mine of authentic information on this subject. A list of the houses in the State built before 1725, so far as they are known, with dates and a brief description will be found in the appendix. "This book is probably the most valuable historic architectural treatise that has as yet appeared in America." — The Nation. 6 MARY DYER Or Rhode Island, The Quakee Maetyb that was Hanged on Boston Common, June 1,1660. By HOKATIO BOGEKS. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. The author has gathered from many sources the scattered facts relating to the career of Mary Dyer and woven them into a detailed narrative, so that the tragic story of her life is now for the first time adequately told. 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In a few cases figures are given to indicate depth of water of less than 20 feet. This Atlas includes 12 maps and 10 pages index and sta- tistics, in all 22 sheets, 21 x 16J. The scale of survey is ttt+tttt, or one mile to an inch. The Magazine of New England History For 1891, 1892, 1893 Having purchased the few remaining complete sets of the Magazine of New England History, originally published at $6.00, we offer the three volumes in parts as issued for $2.50 per set, or bound in one volume, cloth, for $3.50. These volumes contain nearly eight hundred pages of information relating to New England local, church, and family history, including rec- ords, genealogies, journals, letters, and many interesting notes and queries. What Cheer OR Roger Williams in Banishment A POEM By JOB DURFEE Revised and edited by THOMAS DURFEE Cloth, Leather Label, i2mo, 225 pages. Price $1.25 net The East India Trade of Providence From 1787 to 1807 By GERTRUDE SELWYN KIMBALL 8vo, 34 pages, paper, 50 cents By a careful study of log books and com- mercial papers of the old shipping firms, the author is enabled to present an inter- esting picture of the East India Trade of Providence in its palmy days. SENT POSTPAID ON RECEIPT OF PRICE