The soldiers, having no shelter, suffered extremely; and several perished in the storm, which continued three days.

On the return of fair weather the siege was commenced, and continued without any material circumstance for several days.
As no intelligence had been received from the Admiral, the situation of the American army was becoming very critical.

On the evening of the 19th, their anxieties were relieved for a moment by the reappearance of the French fleet.
[Sidenote: Both fleets dispersed by a storm.] The two Admirals, desirous the one of gaining, and the other of retaining the advantage of the wind, had employed two days in manoeuvring, without coming to action.

Towards the close of the second, they were on the point of engaging, when they were separated by the violent storm which had been felt so severely on shore, and which dispersed both fleets.

Some single vessels afterwards fell in with each other, but no important capture was made; and both fleets retired in a very shattered condition, the one to the harbour of New York, and the other to that of Newport.
[Sidenote: D'Estaing returns to Newport, and against the solicitations of Sullivan, sails for Boston.] A letter was immediately despatched by D'Estaing to Sullivan, informing him that, in pursuance of orders from the King, and of the advice of all his officers, he had taken the resolution to carry the fleet to Boston.