277


278  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY

military  and  naval  stores,  some  galleys  and  armed  sloops,  with  upward  of  100
boats  prepared  for  the  expedition,  were  destroyed.  These  losses  retarded  the
preparations  of  General  Sullivan  ;  and  when  Count  d'Estaing  appeared,  the
Americans  were  not  ready  to  co-operate  with  him.
Rhode  Island,  which  consists  of  two  parts  connected  by  an  isthmus,  lies  off
the  coast  of  Connecticut,  not  far  from  the  main  land,  and  has  several  small  isl-
ands near  it.  Ne\vport,<lhe  chief  town  of  the  island,  stands  to  the  west  of  the
isthmus  ;  and  the  island  of  Connanicut  lies  off  it,  between  Rhode  Island  and
the  continent.  There  are  three  entrances  to  the  town,  one  by  the  east  or  Sea-
konet  passage  ;  another  by  the  west  of  the  island,  between  it  and  Connanicut,
called  the  Main  channel ;  and  another  by  the  west  of  Connanicut,  called  the
West  or  Narraganset  passage,  and  which  unites  with  the  Main  channel  at  the
east  end  of  Connanicut.
The  British  garrison,  under  General  Pigot,  amounted  to  6,000  men.  The
main  body  Jay  at  Newport;  three  regiments  were  stationed  on  Connanicut  isl-
and ;  the  isthmus  was  defended  by  a  chain  of  redoubts.;  and  each  of  the  three
entrances  by  sea  was  guarded  by  frigates  and  galleys,  which  were  destroyed  on
the  appearance  of  Count  d'Estaing,  to  prevent  them  from  falling  into  his  hands.
