The Battle of Rhode Island took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces commanded by Major-General John Sullivan had been on Aquidneck Island besieging British forces occupying Newport, Rhode Island. They chose to lift the siege and planned to withdraw to the northern part of Aquidneck Island. The British then sortied, supported by recently arrived Royal Navy ships, and attacked the retreating Americans. The battle ended inconclusively, but Continental forces then chose to withdraw further to the mainland, leaving Aquidneck Island including Newport in British hands. The soldiers in combat were about 4,875 in the American army and 2,950 in the British army, for a total of 7,825 making it the largest battle in New England based on numbers.