“From first to last, down to the finest particular of necessary prevision, General Sullivan was more than ready. All that a commander could do to insure success, he had accomplished so well that the only criticism made of his actions was that he had seized the British works opposite the north end of the island one day ahead of time. At this, the French General who had expected a joint attack to be made the next day professed to believe his notions of military etiquette had been shocked, but, as no harm resulted and a distinct gain in time had been effected, he had small foundation for his complaint, which was soon practically abandoned. “There had been an excellent opportunity to make the joint undertaking a magnificent success. If, as is now apparent, the attack had been made in the latter part of July as it might easily have been in view of Sullivan’s perfect preparations and the presence of the French fleet, it is probable that the war would have reached a complete and glorious close almost within sight of the ground upon which we stand today. Postponed as it was from day to day until August 10th, the British were given time to reinforce their fleet, hasten it to Newport, and there engage the French fleet in dilatory manœuvering which used up days of precious time and completely dissipated all hope of substantial assistance from the French warships. The expected, or that which should have been expected by the naval commanders, soon happened; many of us who have spent much time around here would have expected it to happen. “About the twentieth of August, one of those storms for which the region of Point Judith is famous, set in with almost unexampled fury. Land and water forces were alike put out of condition for offensive or defensive operations. The French fleet limped away to Boston to refit, and Sullivan, deeply chagrined at the utter failure of his naval auxiliaries to render any assistance, set to work to protect his army and extricate it from a position made perilous by the departure of its entire marine support and the consequent desertion of most of his militia.