m 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.

"Sixty were found dead in one spot. At another, thirty
Hessians were buried in one grave. Major-Gen. Greene
commanded on the right. Of the four brigades under his
immediate command, Varnum's, Glover's, Cornell's and
Greene's, all suffered severely, but Gen. Varnum's perhaps
the most. A third