Letter: A little history and Broadway on Aquidneck Island

Posted 10/25/16

To the editor:

For East Bay residents who have either seen the Broadway hit “Hamilton” or read the Ron Chernow book, they know that John Laurens was Alexander Hamilton’s best …

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Letter: A little history and Broadway on Aquidneck Island

Posted

To the editor:

For East Bay residents who have either seen the Broadway hit “Hamilton” or read the Ron Chernow book, they know that John Laurens was Alexander Hamilton’s best friend. 

What most do not realize is that Laurens played an important role here in East Bay during the American Revolution. The Battle of Rhode Island is well-known folklore in these parts. Most know that Lafayette, John Hancock and Paul Revere fought in the battle, but I suspect that many have not made the linkage between Laurens and Rhode Island. 

During the time of the Rhode Island Campaign, Laurens was an officer on Gen. George Washington’s staff. Even at the young age of 23 he was already a highly regarded soldier and patriot. His father was the president of the Continental Congress and the younger Laurens had studied in Europe and spoke French, a needed language skill for the new American-French Alliance.

Gen. Washington chose Laurens to be a liaison with the French Admiral Comte D’Estaing during the Rhode Island Campaign. While D’Estaing was anchored at Sandy Hook, N.J. and Gen. Washington contemplated his next moves in July 1778, he relied upon Laurens to deliver the needed correspondence to the French ships. Once the Newport plan was hatched, it was Laurens that rode from New York to Providence in two days to bring the news to Major Gen. John Sullivan that the French were on their way to assist in a joint offensive against the British-held Newport garrison.

Once the fleet arrived Laurens was essential in facilitating communication between Admiral D’Estaing and Major Gen. Sullivan and when the French fleet decided to leave Newport, it was Laurens that was sent to try and change the admiral’s mind.

During the actual Battle of Rhode Island on Aug. 29, 1778, Laurens was sent to be in charge of a force that would delay the British advance from Newport to Portsmouth. It is from the corner of West Main Road and Union Street to the intersection of West Main Road and Hedley Street that Laurens and his force delayed the British forces that hoped to stop the Colonials from returning to the mainland.

After the battle, Laurens continued to distinguish himself during the Revolutionary War and saw action primarily in the southern states. He was killed in battle in South Carolina when he was 27 years old. George Washington said of Laurens, “He had not a fault that I ever could discover, unless intrepidity bordering upon rashness could come under that denomination; and to this he was excited by the purest motives.”

Next time you are driving down West Main Road or taking your trash to the Portsmouth transfer station, remember that John Laurens fought for our freedom on this ground. John Laurens has provided our island a bit of history and a little bit of Broadway. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government.

Phil Sheridan

72 Glen Road

Portsmouth

letter, opinion, Battle of Rhode Island, Hamilton

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