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Subject: [GM-L] Expedition to Rhode Island: Revolution
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 15:23:33 EST

Major Generals Spencer of CT and John Sullivan of NH

<A HREF="http://www.htnp.com/vol06/quarter2/15GENER.HTML">Revolutionary War
Patriot Major General Spencer of CT

</A>
http://www.htnp.com/vol06/quarter2/15GENER.HTML

Two months later, Spencer was ordered to Rhode Island and placed in
charge of all the troops at the Providence Plantations. At the time, the
Rhode Island coast line and the Newport Harbor were controlled by the
English Navy. The city of Newport was occupied by British regulars and
an entire British squadron was stationed on the island in the harbor.
After the defeats in New York, Washington was determined to drive the
English out of Rhode Island. In the spring of 1777, Spencer organized a
large force of Continental troops and volunteers at the Providence
Plantation. In July 1777, Spencer's troops were responsible for the
capture of British commander Major General Prescott. The English General
was sent to Washington and exchanged for one of Spencer's peers, General
Charles Lee, who was captured in December 1776.

In September 1777, Spencer planned an attack against the forces on the
island in Newport Harbor. With about 9,000 troops, Spencer's ships
actually embarked on their way to confront the British. But a series of
difficulties hampered the expedition, including bad weather and one
entire brigade not showing up on time. However, the worst news for
Spencer came from his British spies while they were on route to the
battle. They reported that the English forces on the island were aware
of the invasion plans. The spies informed Spencer that he would be
allowed to land, but then the English would burn the ships, cutting off
the Americans' retreat. As the general in charge, Spencer made the
decision to turn his ships around and return to camp.

The military immediately ordered a court of inquiry to investigate why
the attack was not finished. Spencer welcomed the inquiry and proposed
another effort against the British in Newport. On December 2, 1777,
Governor Jonathan Trumbull wrote to Washington: "The expedition to
Newport hath unhappily failed. An inquiry hath been made into the
reasons. General Spencer was exculpated. A Brigadier Palmer failed in
his duty." Spencer was officially exonerated by the military on November
15, 1777. However, Congress ordered its own investigation on December
11, 1777. Spencer was not pleased with Congress' choice to get involved
and felt it was another breach of military etiquette. Spencer sent in
his letter of resignation on December 20, and it was accepted in January
1778. The letter Spencer sent to Congress is an impassioned appeal
concerning the neglected state of the Continental Army. His concern for
the welfare of the soldiers under his care reveals that his resignation
was motivated by more than personal pride. After returning to
Connecticut, Governor Trumbull appointed Spencer to an important
position on the Council of Safety. As the war continued to rage on,
Spencer's military experience could not be wasted. Trumbull also named
Spencer to the head of the state's forces as First Major General of the
Connecticut Militia. Later that year, Spencer was elected to serve as a
Delegate to the Congress by the General Court.

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, General Sullivan was put in charge of the
troops and given the mission to remove the British. Shortly after
Sullivan took control, Washington decided that the effort to dislodge
the English forces was futile. In what seems like a gesture of
reconciliation, Washington himself asked Spencer to aid Sullivan in his
retreat from Providence. The retreat from Rhode Island was Spencer's
last act of service in the Continental Army.

In 1779, Spencer earned one of his highest honors when he was elected as
a representative of Connecticut in the Continental Congress. He was
re-elected to this position every year as long as he continued to run.
Spencer was the first of three East Haddam men to be elected to serve
the state in Congress. <A
HREF="http://www.htnp.com/vol06/quarter2/15GENER.HTML">Revolutionary War
Patriot Major General Spenc...</A>

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