British Garrison in Newport, Rhode Island, 1776-1779 | Supply and Provision, American Revolution

How did large numbers of soldiers find supply and food during the American Revolution? Newport, Rhode Island provides an interesting record of how a large garrison would feed and supply itself. The British under General Robert Pigot arrived in Newport in December 1776. They remained until October 1779. General Richard Prescott would also hold command. Newport is strategically located between British-held New York City and patriot-held Boston. Newport had numerous windmills, a good area for a large army to remain. Before the arrival of the British, Newport's newspaper was the Newport Mercury, which had been established by Benjamin Franklin's brother, James. The British installed a loyalist paper called the Newport Gazette. The Newport Gazette is an important primary document about an occupied city. The British would import goods to be sold in Newport. The army would also ask and compensate farmers for wheat, oats, and other goods. The British regulated food prices to meet the needs of the garrison. Soldiers were not allowed plunder local gardens nor resell stolen goods. A short film by Jeffrey Meyer