Battle of Newport

A bungled attempt in 1778 to drive out the British, who had occupied Newport since December 1776. French Admiral Comte d'Estaing and American Gen. John Sullivan were supposed to coordinate an attack, but the distrust between the two, the unanticipated size and power of the British fleet, and heavy seas combined to stifle the campaign. Sullivan attacked on August 14, but he settled for a defensive siege, and when Estaing's help did not arrive, he retreated, just before British reinforcements arrived. The British remained in Newport until October 1779.

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