“Albany, Aug. 3, 1777.—­The pleasing information is received here that Lieut.-Col.  Barton, of the Rhode-Island militia, planned a bold exploit for the purpose of surprising and taking Major-Gen. Prescott, the commanding officer of the royal army at Newport.  Taking with him, in the night, about forty men, in two boats, with oars muffled, he had the address to elude the vigilance of the ships-of-war and guard-boats:  and, having arrived undiscovered at the quarters of Gen. Prescott, they were taken for the sentinels; and the general was not alarmed till his captors were at the door of his lodging-chamber, which was fast closed. A negro man, named Prince, instantly thrust his beetle head through the panel door; and seized his victim while in bed.... This event is extremely honorable to the enterprising spirit of Col.  Barton, and is considered as ample retaliation for the capture of Gen. Lee by Col.  Harcourt.  The event occasions great joy and exultation, as it puts in our possession an officer of equal rank with Gen. Lee, by which means an exchange may be obtained.  Congress resolved that an elegant sword should be presented to Col.  Barton for his brave exploit."[585]

Col.  Barton evidently entertained great respect for the valor and trustworthiness of the Negro soldier whom he made the chief actor in a most hazardous undertaking.  It was the post of honor; and the Negro soldier Prince discharged the duty assigned him in a manner that was entirely satisfactory to his superior officer, and crowned as one of the most daring and brilliant coups d’etat of the American Revolution.

The battle of Rhode Island, fought on the 29th of August, 1778, was one of the severest of the Revolution.  Newport was laid under siege by the British.  Their ships-of-war moved up the bay on the morning of the action, and opened a galling fire upon the exposed right flank of the American army; while the Hessian columns, stretching across a chain of the “highland,” attempted to turn Gen. Greene’s flank, and storm the advanced redoubt.  The heavy cannonading that had continued since nine in the morning was now accompanied by heavy skirmishing; and the action began to be general all along the lines.  The American army was disposed in three lines of battle; the first extended in front of their earthworks on Butt’s Hill, the second in rear of the hill, and the third as reserve a half-mile in the rear of the advance line.  At ten o’clock the battle was at white heat.  The British vessels kept up a fire that greatly annoyed the Americans, but imparted courage to the Hessians and British infantry.  At length the foot columns massed, and swept down the slopes of Anthony’s Hill with the impetuosity of a whirlwind.  But the American columns received them with the intrepidity and coolness of veterans.  The loss of the enemy was fearful.