On December 22, the regiment was stationed on Aquidneck Island to deter a possible invasion of the vital port city of Newport by the British Army.

In concert with New York Continentals led by Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. Livingston, Richmond's Regiment conducted an amphibious landing at Brookhaven and captured 23 of Oliver DeLancy's Loyalist Brigade and their commanding officer, Captain Jacob Smith.

The eight original companies of the regiment were discharged at New London, Connecticut upon their return from Long Island on November 6.

The four remaining companies were sent to bolster Colonel John Cooke's Rhode Island militia forces then assembled at Newport.

In December 1776 Newport was invaded by large force of British and Hessians and the few defenders there withdrew to the mainland.