RI 250 - Portsmouth

Portsmouth Quest – Strategy

Strategy decided the fate of armies—and, in this case, a nation—on the fields of Portsmouth. Here, the Battle of Rhode Island unfolded in 1778, marking one of the war’s most complex engagements.

As you visit key sites and encounter Hessian soldiers, the First Rhode Island Regiment, and leaders like John Sullivan and Nathanael Greene, this Quest brings battlefield decisions to life. Discover how planning, positioning, and perseverance shaped outcomes—and see a cannon dredged from Narragansett Bay as a tangible reminder of war’s reach.

The RI250 Portsmouth Quest is part of the RI250 Quest series of scavenger hunts designed to help RI residents and visitors explore the fascinating stories of Rhode Island's role in the American Revolution! Portsmouth is one of eight Rhode Island towns and cities where explorers step into the lives, conflicts, and choices that shaped a colony on the brink of independence.

Guided by FreshMaps technology, each Quest blends map-based scavenger hunts, short-form video storytelling from local historians, and interactive trivia, puzzles, and mini-games. Along the way, you’ll unlock stories that matter, earn points, and discover how Rhode Island’s revolutionary spirit helped shape the nation!