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Lafayette played a crucial role in maintaining coordination between the Continental Army under General John Sullivan and newly arrived French forces under Admiral d’Estaing. In the summer of 1778, the Continental Army planned a joint operation to expel the British from Newport. This was the first major Franco‑American combined operation of the war, and tensions were high. Just before the battle, a violent storm damaged d’Estaing’s fleet. The Admiral decided to sail to Boston for repairs—leaving Sullivan’s forces without naval support.

 The Battle of Rhode Island took place on August 29, 1778. Sullivan’s army fought a disciplined retreat from Aquidneck Island after the French withdrawal made the original plan impossible. Through Lafayette's diplomacy he prevented a rupture between the French and American forces and secured d’Estaing’s willingness to sail south and continue supporting the war. Lafayette hurried back and rejoined the army at Tiverton during the retreat, helping reorganize the troops and supporting Sullivan’s decisions, which he praised as “well made” and honorable.

Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War . For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.