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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03232 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1778 |
| Title | Letter form John Crane to John Sullivan regarding military movements |
| Date | 23 August 1778 |
| Author | Crane, John (1744-1805) |
| Recipient | Sullivan, John |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Expresses surprise at the news that "Count D'Estaing has abandoned us in the present Enterprise." At Sullivan's request gives his opinion on the situation, saying he feels the siege of Newport is not worth continuing without the French fleet, since he expects British reinforcements soon. Instead suggests an immediate attack, for which he details his strategy. Opposes a retreat but in case "the General Council be of a different opinion" he lays out a plan for retreat as well. General Sullivan posed this question to a number of officers. In GLC04845 he writes William Whipple and asks his opinion on whether the Americans should continue the siege, attack immediately, or retreat. Also asks Whipple to explain his answer, as Crane has. The French and Americans had planed to mount a joint assault on the British at Newport. When many of the French ships were damaged in a storm their commanded Vice Admiral d'Estaing was forced to move his fleet to Boston for repairs, taking his 4,000 French troops with him. Sullivan was furious at d'Estaing, and was forced to quickly abandon the siege against his desires. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Global History and Civics France Military History Navy Maritime Battle Revolutionary War General Extreme Weather Continental Army |
| People | Crane, John (1744-1805) Sullivan, John (1740-1795) Estaing, Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, Comte d' (1729-1794) |
| Place written | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Theme | Naval & Maritime; The American Revolution; Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | John Crane was a colonel in the Third Artillery under Henry Knox, and later rose as high as brevet brigadier-general. John Sullivan served as an major general during the Revolution and also served in the Continental Congress and as the President of New Hampshire. Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, Comte d'Estaing, was a French Vice Admiral sent with twelve battleships and fourteen frigates to assist the colonies during the American Revolution. Also known as the Marquis de Saillans. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |