The siege of Savannah, by the combined American and French forces, under the command of Gen. Lincoln and the Count d'Estaing, in the autumn of 1779

Ci<S

THE
of > cum mm I),
BY THE
COMBINED AMERICAN AND FRENCH FORCES,
UN'DER THE COMMAND OV
GLN. LINCOLN, AND THE COUNT D'ESTAING, .
IN THE
Autumn of 1779.
c
1SG7
ALBANY: J. MUN'SELL, 82 STATE STREET.
i86'6.

"\
\

PREFACE.
HE unfortunate IfTue 'of the *-/ Enterprife undertaken in 1779, to recover Poflemon^ of the Capital of Georgia, has left a
gloomy Page in our Revolutionary Hiftory, not only from its Failure as a military Movement, but from the melancholy Cafualty which deprived our Army of one of its moft talented Leaders, the Polim General Count Pulafki.
The Deprefiion of the Patriots of the Revolution by thefe Reverfes, was deftined to be ftill further increafed by the fubfequent Succefs of the Britifh Arms in the Southern Colonies, while it afforded Caufe of Exultation among the Loyalifts, who confidently predicted the fpeedy and effecl:-

4

Preface.

ual Reftoration of the Royal Authority

throughout the revolted Colonies.

The Columns of the Royal Gazette bear

Witnefs to the Strength of this Hope, while

they at the fame Time exhibit the Feeling

of Bitternefs which they cherifhed towards ^
thofe who had begun the War, and in which

the Infurgents had already achieved Succefs

on many Occafions.

*

The following Pages prefent the Accounts

that were published in Mr. Rivington's

Paper, upon the Subject of the unfuccefsful

Attempt of the combined American and

French Forces to capture the City of

Savannah, in the Months of September and

October, 1770.

C~~-

According to the Plan propofed for mis

Series, we have brieflv* ftated the Circu/mfiances which preceded and attended" the

Event, before prefenting the Documents

that embrace the Details; and have placed

in the Appendix, fuch other Statements and

Papers, as would more fully prefent the

Subject in all its Bearings, and under every

Point of View.

INTRODUCTION.
r I^HE Manifestations of Sympathy with -*- the Revolution in the Colony of Geor
gia, although perhaps not lefs earneft, was lefs aggreffive than in the North, and did not attract the Notice of the Britim Adminiftration as requiring particular Effort on their Part in the earlier Years of the War. Although the Patriots of that Section en tered into the Meafures aiming at a Reform in Government with great Zeal, it was dofubtlefs believed that when once the Armies in the North were vanquifhed, the whole Country would acquiefce in the Neceflity of Obedience to the Britim Rule, without the Trouble of fending coftly Armies and Navies to receive the Submiffion of the late Infurgents.
B

6

IntroduEiwri.

The Number of Sympathizers with the

Britim Caufe, was relatively much larger

than in the northern Colonies, and in Pro

portion as this Caufe prevailed, large Num

bers of the Colon ifts lent their willing Aid

. in its Support, or pafBvely yielded their

Acquiefcence to its Terms.

There were however, many earnefl and

vigorous Advocates of the Revolution, efpe-

cially in the Upper Country, and the par-

tizan Warfare which thev continued to
maintain long after the Cities on the Coaft

had been apparently fettled as permanent

Dependencies of the Crown, furnimes fome

of the moft brilliant Paffages in our Revo-

lutionarv Hiftorv. The Conteft became in



w

fome Parts a War of Extermination, and it

appeared as if one Party muft be entirely

rooted out, before the other could live in

Peace.

The Events of the War having mown

that the Prefence of a Britifh Army was

necelTary to the Maintenance of the Royal

Caufe, and probably in the Expectation that

Introduction.

7

with this Encouragement, the loyal Portions

of the Population, would venture to Rally

in Force around the Britifh Standard, an

Expedition was fitted out From New York

towards the Clofe of 1779, to eftablifli

themfelves at Savannah.

The American Force at that Place, then

confifted of between fix and ieven hundred

Continentals, and a few hundred Militia

under the Command of Major General Ro

bert Howe.

The official Report of the Britim Officer

who led this Expedition is embraced in the

following Letter addretTed to Lord George

Gennain, dated "Savannah, January 16,

1779:"

.

" In confequence of Orders from Sir

Henry Clinton, to proceed to Georgia with

his Majefty's 71 ft Regiment of Foot, two

Battalions of HeiTians, four Battalions of

Provincials, and a Detachment of the Royal

Artillery, Colonel Archibald Campbell em

barked at Sandy Hook on the 27th Novem

ber, 1778, and arrived off the' Illand of

8

IntroduEiiori.

Tybee on the 23d December, efcorted by a Squadron under the Command of Commo dore Parker. On the 24th, the greateft Part of the Tranfports got over the Bar and anchored in Savannah River. On the 27th, the Balance of Commodore Parker's Fleet joined him. During the Time occupied in bringing the laft Divifion of the Fleet over the Bar, from the Provincial Battalions, were formed two Corps of Light Infantry, the one to be attached to Sir James Baird's light Company of the 71 ft Highlanders, the other to Captain Cameron's Company of the fame Regiment. Having no Intelli gence that could be depended upon with refpect to the military Force of Georgia, or the Difpofitions formed for its Defence, Sir James Baird's Highland Company of Light Infantry, in two Flat-boats, with Lieuten ant Clarke, of the Navy, was difpatched in the. Night of the 2$th, to feize any of the Inhabitants they might find on the Banks of Wilmington River. Two Men were taken, from whom the Enemy derived In-

Introduction,

c

s

formation which they confidered Satisfac tory, and induced them to refolve to land the Troops the next Evening at the Planta tion of Mr. Gerredeaux, twelve Miles fur ther up the River, and two Miles from the Town of Savannah. The Vigilant Manof-war, with the Corslet Galley, the Keppel armed Brig, and the Greenwich armed Sloop, followed by the Tranfports in three Divifions, in the Order eftablifhed for a Defcent, proceeded u'p the River with the Tide, at Noon. About four o'clock in the Evening the Vigilant opened the Reach to Gerredeaux's Plantation, and was cannon aded by two American Galleys.
" The Tide and Evening being too far fpent, and many of the Tranfports having been grounded at the Diftance of five or fix Miles below Gerredeaux's Plantation, the Defcent was delayed until next Morning. The firft Divifion of Troops, confifting of all the Light Infantry of the Army, the New York Volunteers, and the firft Battal ion of the 71ft, under the'Command of

io

Introdu&ion.

Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland, were landed at Break of Day on the River Dam in front
f
of Gerredeaux's, from whence a narrow Caufeway of .fix hundred Yards in Length, with a Ditch on each Side, led through a Swamp dire tly for Gerredeaux's Houfe, which ftood upon a Bluff about thirty Feet high. The Light Infantry, under Captain C'ameron, having firft reached the Shore, were formed, and led brifkly forward to the Bluff, where a Body of fifty Americans were potted, and from whom they received a Imart Fire of Mufketry; but the Enemy rufhed forward and drove them into the Woods, and fecured a Landing for the Reft of the Army. Captain Cameron and two Highlanders were killed, and five High landers wounded. The Army of MajorGeneral Howe was drawn up about Half a Mile Eaft of the City of Savannah, with |feveral Pieces of Cannon in their Front. {The firft Divifion of Troops, together with jone Company of the fecond Battalion of jthe 71 ft, the firft Battalion of Delancey's,

IntrodnSlion.

ii

the Wellworth, and a Part of the WiiTenbach Regiment of Heflians being landed, Colonel Campbell went in Purfuit of the Americans, leaving a cohfiderable Force to cover the Landing-place. On the Troops reaching the Road leading to Savannah, the Divilion of the Wiflenbach Regiment was ported on the CrolT-roads, to fecure the Rear of the Army; a thick Swamp covered the Left of the Line of March, and the Light Infantry, with the Flankers of each Corps, effectually covered the cultivated Plantations on the Right. The Troops reached the open Country, near Tattnall's Plantation, before three o'Clock in the Afternoon, and halted on the Road about two hundred Paces (hortof the Gate leading to Governor Wright's Plantation.
" The American Army were drawn up acrofs the Road, at the Diftance of eight hundred Yards from this Gateway. Onehalf, confining of Thompfon's and Huger's Regiments of Carolina Troops, were formed

i-2 ,

IntroduElion.

under Col. Huger, with their Left oblique to the Road leading to Savannah, their Right to a wooded Swamp covered by the Houfes of Tatnall's Plantation, in which fome Riflemen had been placed. The other Half of the American Army, confiding of Part of the firft, fecond, third, and fourth ] Battalions of the Georgia Brigade, was formed under Colonel Elbert, with their Right to the Road, and their Left to the Rice Swamps of Governor Wright's Plant\ ation, with the Fort of Savannah Bluff \ behind their left Wing, in the Style of a j fecond Flank; the Town of Savannah, ] round which were the Remains of an old ] Line of Intrenchment, covered their Rear. j One Piece of Cannon was planted on the j Right of their Line, about one hundred j Paces in Front of the Traverfe. At a Spot ] between two Swamps a Trench was cut Jacrofs the Road; and about one hundred -Yards in Front of this Trench a marfhy ; Rivulet run almoft parallel the whole Ex-

Introduction. ' 13
tent of their Front; the Bridge of which was burnt down, to interrupt the PafTage and retard the Progrefs of the Englifh.
Colonel Campbell difcovered, from the Movements of the Americans, that they expected an Attack upon their Left, and he was delirous of confirming that Expectation. Having fallen in with a Negro named Quamino Dolly, Colonel Campbell induced him, by a fmall Reward, to conduct the Troops, by a private Path through the Swamp, upon the Right of the Americans. Colonel Campbell ordered the firft Battalion of the 71 ft to form on his Right of the Road, and move up to the Rear of the Light Infantry, whilft he drew off that Corps to the Right, as if he meant to extend his Front to that Quarter, where a Fall of Ground favoured the Concealment of this Manoeuvre. Sir James Baird had Orders to convey the Light Infantry to the hollow Ground quite to the Rear, and penetrate the Swamp upon the Enemy's Left, with a
C

14

Introduction.

View to get round, by the new Barracks, into the Rear of the Enemy's right Flank. The New York Volunteers, under Colonel Tumbull, were ordered to fupport him. During the Courfe of this Movement, the Enemy's Artillery were formed in a Field on their Left of the Road, concealed from the Americans by a Swell of Ground in Front, to which Colonel Campbell meant to run them up for Action, when the Signal was made to engage, and from whence he could either bear advantageoufly upon the Right of the American Line as it was then formed, or cannonade any Body of Troops in Flank which they might detach into the Wood to retard the Progrefs of the Light Infantry. 'Campbell then commenced the Attack, and the American Line was broken. About one hundred of the Georgia Militia, under the Command of Colonel George Walton, ported at the new Barracks with fome Pieces of Cannon, were attacked by Sir James Baird, and after righting bravely, were compelled to retreat. The General

Introduction.

15

(Howe) ordered a general Retreat, which was made in great Confufion."
In the Capture of Savannah, the Ameri cans loft about one hundred killed on the Field, or drowned in endeavoring to re treat, and thirty-eight Officers and four hundred and fifteen Privates were captured. All their Cannon, Munitions and Proviiions fell into the Enemy's Hands, with but the moderate Lofs on their Part of feven killed and nineteen wounded. No Blame was, under the Circumftances, attached to General Howe, who was fubfequently hon orably acquitted by a Court of Inquiry. 1
A conciliatory Policy was adopted by the Victors, which attracted Multitudes of the Inhabitants to the Royal Caufe. A Series of fuccefsful Movements againft Sunbury, Augufta and other Points, feemed to decide the future Deftinies of this Colony, and

1 The Lofles of the Americans befides in Men, were, one Stand of Colours, forty-eight Cannon, twenty-three Mortars, ninetyfour Barrek of Powder, and the Fort with all its Stores. Savan nah was then the Capital of Georgia.

r6

Introduction.

^called the Attention of Congrefs to the Neceflity of making a decifive Effort to re gain their Lofles in the Southern Depart ment.
Charlefton was at this Time an important Poft ftill in the Hands of the Americans, but was dependent upon the civil Authori ties for its Supplies, and EmbarrafTments exifted in the local Adminiftration which threatened the moft ferious Confequences.
In the preceding September, a Change had been ordered in the Command of the Southern Department, by which General Benjamin Lincoln .of MafTachufetts, was affigned to that Poft, and General Howe Was directed to report to General Warnington. Under this Arrangement Gen. Lin coln had proceeded to Charlefton, from whence, upon learning of the Entrance of the Britifh Fleet into the Savannah River, he marched to the Relief of Gen. Howe, but upon arriving at a Point on the north Side of the River he learned of the Difafter which

IntroduElion.

17

had happened below, and was foon joined by the Remnant of the defeated Army.
The Savannah River now remained for fome Time the dividing Line between the two Forces. The whole of Georgia was confidered fo far under Britim Authority, that a civil Government was eftablifhed, and executive and judicial Officers appointed.
The Frontiers were however not allowed to remain quiet, and the early Months of 1779 were {pent in alternate aggreflive and defenfive Movements by General Lincoln and General Prevoft, 1 in the Courfe of which, the former undertook to eftablifh himfelf at Augufta, whik the latter attacked Charlefton from the land Side, but without Succefs. After a Series of Operations upon the Iflands on the Coaft the Britifh Army returned to Savannah and St. Auguftine,

1 Major General Auguftine Prevoft was then in Command. His Rank dated from May 25, 1772. He failed for England in the Brig Three Friends, foon after the Siege of Savannah was raifed. He was a Native of Switzerland, and died in 1786. His Son George was Governor in Canada in the Wur of 181.1 15.

18

Introduction.

after eftablifhing a Poft on the Ifland con tiguous to Port Royal and St. Helena, and at various Points in the Interior, while General Lincoln with about eight hundred Men retired to Sheldon, near Beaufort, to prepare for the next Campaign, which it was fuppofed would open in October.
The French, then at War with the Englifh, had at this Time a large Fleet in the Weft Indies. The Britiih Forces had cap tured St. Lucia, and the French had re duced St. Vincents and Grenada, and at about the Time when the latter Event oc curred, the Count d'Eftaing, who com manded the French Fleet, received fuch large Reinforcements as to give him for the Time being a decided naval Superiority.
A Reprefentation was accordingly made to the Count d'Eftaing, by Governor Rutledge of South Carolina and General Lin coln, in Concert with M. Plombard, French Conful at Charlefton, which induced him to undertake with the Continental Forces under General Lincoln, a combined Attack

i

Introduction.

19

upon their common Enemy, the Englifh, at Savannah.
The Propofition being favorably received, the Count, in Conformity to his Inftructions to aid the Americans whenever a fair Opportunity mould offer, prepared to undertake the Enterprife. He accordingly left Cape Fran9ois, with twenty-two Ships of the Line and eleven Frigates, having on board fix thoufand land Troops and appeared at the Mouth of the Savannah River, before the Englifh had got Intelligence of the Plan, and at a Time when they were leaft expecting a hoftile Vifit. :
The firft Intimation of the Approach of the French Fleet was received by General Prevoft on the third of SeptembeV. He haftened to call in the Forces under Colonel Maitland at Port Royal, and feveral Detach ments in the Interior for the Defence of the Capital.
General Lincoln upon being notified of thefe Movements, marched to cooperate with the Forces under his Command, but

2O

Introduction.

his Route was greatly delayed by the Deftru&ion of Bridges and the Want of Tranfportation, nd he did not effect a Junction until the fixteenth.
The Count d'Eftaing had before this, de manded a Surrender of the Town, but had unwifely allowed the Correfpondence which enfued to delay his own Operations, while this Interval was actively improved by Gen eral Prevoft in preparing for a vigorous Defence. One can fcarcely read this Cor refpondence without being convinced, that it was protracted by the Britifh as long as poffible to await the Arrival of their Rein forcements. Although the French held the main Channel of the River, there were ftill feveral Routes behind the Iflands which they could not blockade. The Englifh on their Part, funk Veflels in the River, to hinder the Paflage of the French Fleet, and called into Service all the Labor that could be reached, to erect Fortifications before the Town.

Introduction.

21

The Siege began on the 23d of Septem ber and on the ift of October he had ad vanced within three hundred Yards of the Britifh Works, Batteries were planted, and a heavy Cannonade opened upon the Britifh Works and the Town. The Profecution of the Siege, by regular Approaches, was a Work of Time, and the Seafon was getting late and dangerous for the Fleet upon an infecure Coaft and at a Period when Tempefts become frequent and deftruclive.
It was therefore refolved to attempt to carry the Place by Affault. On the gth of October an Attack was made along a hollow Way on the Left of the allied Army which covered the Advance, to within fifty Yards of the main Works, while Feints were made by the Militia at other Points. The Aflault was made in three Columns by about three thoufand five hundred French and one thoufand Americans, including Continent als and Charlefton Militia.
Thefe Columns were met bv a more * D

22

IntroduElion.

'vigorous Refiftance than was expected, yet they preffed forward with Ardor, pafTed through the Abatis and Ditch and mounted the Parapet, where both French and Ameri cans, planted their Standards, but they were finally compelled to Retreat with heavy Lofs, The Count Pulaiki, while charging at the Head of about two hundred Horfe, in the Rear, received a fevere Wound of which he died a few Days after. The Count d'Eftaing and Major General De Montange were alfo wounded. After this Repulfe, the Count d'Eftaing refolved to raife the Siege. The Remonftrances of General Lincoln proved unavail ing, and the Removal of the heavy Ord nance and Stores was commenced. The American Army recrofled the Savannah at Zubly's Ferry, and took Poft again in South Carolina, while the French Fleet paffed out of the River and difappeared from the Coaft. A violent^ Gale difperfed this Fleet, fo that though die Count had directed feven

Introduction.

22

vJ

Sail to repair to the Chefapeake, but one

VefTel was able to execute the Order. A

Portion returned to the Weft Indies and

the Reft to France.

The City of Savannah had at this Time

about four hundred and thirty Houfes, and

it fuffered confiderably from the Siege.

The Strength of the Englilh Garrifon was

eftimated at fomewhat lefs than three thou-

fand Men, and the Succefs with which they

held the Place reflected great Credit upon

their Valor and Spirit, while the Refult

deprefled the Spirits of the American Army

in a correfponding Degree. The high

Expectations of Victory which had brought

the Militia into the Field, were fuddenly

checked, and the Affairs of the Southern

States wore a more gloomy Afpect than at

any former Period. 1

Colonel Maitland whofe opportune Ar

rival probably decided the Fate of Savannah

upon this Occafion, fhared the Labors and



?f"

1 MarJbaWs Wajbington, iv, 104.

24

IntroduSiion.

Perils of the Siege, but foon after fickened and died of a Fever.
The Englifh t were not again difturbed in their Occupation of Savannah until they voluntarily withdrew on the 11 th of July, 1782, leaving the Town in PofTeflion to the American Authorities, and the Colony to its future Deftiny as one of the States of the new Republic.

JOURNAL
OF THE
SIEGE OF SAVANNAH.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 334, Dec. n, 1779.]
By the Brig Elphingfton, Capt. Kennedy, who arrived here this Day, in fourteen Days from Georgia, we have received the follow ing Advices:
.SAVANNAH, November 18. Friday, the third of September laft, feveral large Ships were feen off our Bar, and a Boat being fent out by Captain Brown, of his Majefty's Ship Rofe, 1 with a Lieutenant on Board, they were plainly difcovered to be French.
1 This Veflel was funk in the Channel, September zoth, to obftruct the River againft the Approach of the French Fleet.

26

Journal of the

*
Monday Evening the 6th, a Sloop called the General Matheivs, eame up to Town. On the Thurfday before, me was taken to the northward of the Bar, by a French 74 Ship. They took all the People out of her, except one Man, and put five Frenchmen in their Room. In the Gale of Wind that Night, fhe parted from the Man-of-war, and on Saturday Morning, arriving off Tybee, the Englishman told the Frenchmen that it was the Entrance to Charleftown, and by that Means foon brought the Sloop to Anchor in the Mouth of the River. After the Arrival of this Veffel, it was faid, that the Fleet confifted of the Magnifique, of 74, and Sphinx, of 64 Guns, (Part of a Reinforcement of four Line-of-battle Ships lately fent from France to join Count d}Eftaing in the Weft Indies), two Frigates, a Schooner, and a Cutter, all from Cape Fran9ois, bound to Bofton for Marts and Spars. - "
On Tuefday the 7th, a Number of Veffels appeared off Tybee Bar, but went off

Siege of Savannah.

27

again, and next Day, about 51 were reck oned off WafTaw, 25 of which were faid to be Ships of the Line.
Thurfday Morning the pth, they were all off Tybee again, and fome of them fired at Captain McDonough's Packetboat from St. Auguftine, attempting to get in, which fell into their Hands. That Evening, four Frigates got over the Bar, and came to an anchor at Tybee, and in the Night, or early next Morning, landed a Number of Men on the Ifland. His Majefty's Ship Savan nah, Comet Galley and fome other Veffels, were ordered up the River to ftrengthen the Garrifon on the French Veffels getting over the Bar.
The French who had landed reembarked on Friday the loth, and all the Fleet, except the Frigates at Anchor at Tybee, fleered for the Southward. Next Day they appeared again off the Bar.
It feemed now evident, that they intend ed a ferious Attack on this Place. We had

28

yournal of the

for fome Time been repairing the four old Redoubts, and making fome additional Works, having been threatened with an Attack from the Rebels. But now the greateft and moft extraordinary Exertions were made by Captain Moncrief, 1 Chief Engineer, and which he continued during the whole Siege with unremitting Ardor. Betwixt two and three hundred Negroes were ordered in by the Governor* and Council, immediately fet to Work, and thirteen good Redoubts were foon erected round the Town, and 15 Gun Batteries containing about 76 Pieces of Cannon, 18, 9 and 6 -Pounders, were raifed between the Redoubts. Thefe Batteries were manned by the Sailors of the Ships of War, Tranfports and Merchantmen, in the River, befides which, there were feveral Four-pound-

1 Capt. George Moncrieffe of the 81'ft Regiment. His Rank

dated December 23, 1777.

2 Sir James Wright, Baronet, was at this Time Governor of

Gcor?h.

,

Siege of Savannah.

29

ers, properly placed without the Batteries, and five Field Pieces.
On Sunday Night the nth, the French I' began to land their Troops at Bewlie, about
14 Miles from Town. Thurfday the r6th, in the Forenoon, a
Letter was fent into Camp by Count d'Eftaing, the French General, DEMANDING A SURRENDER OF THE TOWN TO THE FRENCH KING. 1 He was then within three Miles of this Place. Heboafted in his Letter, of his formidable Arma ment by Sea and Land; the great Feats he had performed with it in the Weft Indies, and mentioned how much Lord McCartney had fufFered by not capitulating at Grenada, and that it was in vain to think of refifting his Force, warned General Prevoft, againft the Confequences attending the Place being taken by Storm, and hinted that he would be anfwerable for the Lives of the People that might be Loft, &c. The Anfwer re-

1 This Correfpondence is given on a fubfequent Page.
E

30

yournal of the

turned to this Letter by General Prevoft, was to the following Purport: That he hoped the Count had a better Opinion of him, and the Britifh Army he had the Honor to Command, than to expert they would furrender the Town, &c. on a gene ral Summons, without knowing on what fpecific Terms or Conditions : That if he had any Terms to offer, he defired they might be made known ; and mentioned his having communicated the Contents of his Letter to the civil Governor.
To this the Count replied, that it was the Part of the Befieged, and not the Befiegers, to propofe Terms : Upon which it was fignified to him, that it was a Matter of great Confequence, and that there were many different Interefts to be adjufted and fettled, and therefore it was defired, that twentyfour Hours might be allowed to confider it. The Count accordingly agreed to wait till the firing of the Evening Gun 1 on Friday

1 An Hour before Sunfet.

.

-.

Siege of Savannah.

31

the i yth. In the Afternoon of the i6th, a Council of War was held in the General's Tent, confifting of Field Officers, (the Gov ernor and Lieutenant Governor being prefent), to confider of a final Anfwer "to be fent to the Count, when it was the unani mous Opinion of the whole Members: That the Town fhould be defended to the laft Extremity, and that this Refolution mould be made known to the French
General. This Day, to the inexpremble Joy of the
whole Army, the Honourable Colonel Maitland, with Part of the Troops under his Command, arrived here from Beaufort, and on Friday the i7th, fome more of them came up to Town. The Artillerymen of the Heffian Corps, Heflian Convalefcents and about 170 of the 71 ft Regiment, were left with the Vigilant>. armed Ship, three Gallies, and three Tranlports, which were obliged to remain at Dafufkee, with all the Artillery, Stores, Baggage, &c., fome of the French Frigates having got a confiderable

32

Journal of the

Way up the River. The whole of the Troops which arrived from Beaufort, amounted to about 800 Men. They were piloted up through the Marfhes, and through Dafufkee Cut-off, where they were often up to the Middle in Mud and Water, and were brought up the River in fmall Boats.
On the Evening of Sunday the I9th, two French Frigates appeared in Sight of the To\vx below Salter's Ifland. Juft before Dark, two Rebel Gallies came farther up, and exchanged a good many Shot with the Savannah, Venus Traniport, and the Comet and Thunderer Gallies. - The French were bufily employed in bringing Cannon, &c., from Bewlie till the 23d, when in the Night they broke Ground.
Next Morning about 90 of the Light Infantry under Major Graham, were fent Out to endeavour to bring the French out of their Lines, thereby to form fome Judg ment of their Numbers, and bring them

Siege of Savannah.

33

open to the Fire of our Cannon. The Scheme fucceeded. Major Graham was followed by a heavy Column of the French, who were expofed to the Fire of the Can non, which galled them feverely: Their Lofs by good Authority, 14 Officers, and 145 Privates killed and wounded: Our Lofs, i Subaltern and 3 Privates killed, and 15 wounded. In the Evening there was a good deal of Firing betwixt the Enemy's Gallies and ours.
In the Morning of Saturday the 25th, there was a fmart Cannonade for a fhort Time from a French Battery of one 18 and one 6 Pounder; a Heffian was killed in his Tent by an 18 Ib. Shot. Several Balls went through Houfes in Town, but no Perfon was hurt. The Rebel Gallies in the Eve ning began again to fire at ours, which was returned, and likewife a good many Shot were fired at them from the Battery at the Truftee's Gardens, where Capt. John Mills commanded. Betwixt eight and nine at Night, one of the Enemy's Gallies, which

34-

yournal of the

came up as far as the Rofe Man-of-war, (iunk on the Garden Bank), was foon obliged by the Fire from this Battery to be towed off to her former Station below Flyming's Ifland.
From the 24th the French were extend ing their Lines and Works, and bringing Cannon, Mortars, &c.,*from Bewlie, Thun derbolt, and Cafton's Bluff.
On Tuefday the 28th, a French armed Ship of 28 Guns, called the Treuite, an chored in the Back River, nearly oppofite the Town.
Saturday Oft. 2d, about Noon, the above Ship, and the two Rebel Gallies ~began a heavy Fire upon the Town and Camp, which continued about an Hour, but did no Damage. During the Afternoon they fired a good deal more, as before.
On Sunday the 3d, at twelve at Night, the French opened a Bomb Battery of nine Mortars, and threw Shells into the Town and Camp all Night, one of which killed Enfign Pollard of the fecond Battal-

Siege of Savannah.

35

lion of Gen. De Lancey's Brigade, in a Houfe on the Bay.
On the Morning of Monday the 4th, juft as our Morning Gun was fired, the Enemy opened two Batteries, on which tjhey had mounted 37 Pieces of Cannon, 18, 12, and 6 Pounders, from which they began a moft furious Cannonade upon the Town, at the fame Time not relaxing in their Bombard ment. A young Woman, Daughter of Mrs. Thompfon, on the Bay, was killed by one of the Shot, but no Perfon was hurt in Camp. During this Cannonade and Bom bardment, the Ship in the Back River, and the Rebel Gallies alfo fired many Shot into the Town. The Fire from our Batteries was alfo very hot, and many Shells from feven fmall Cohorns were thrown into the French Works. This Day the Governor and Lieutenant Governor1 moved to the Camp, having pitched a Tent next to Co lonel Maitland's, on the right of the Line.

1 Governor Sir James Wright; Lieutenant Governor John Graham.

36

Journal of the

Tuefday, the 5th, at feven in the Morn ing, there was again a Cannonade and Bombardment from the Enemy. A Mu latto Man and three Negroes were killed in the Lieutenant Governor's Cellar. In the Evening the Houfe of the Late Mrs. Lloyd, near the Church, was burnt by a Shell, and feven Negroes loft their Lives in it. Whilft the Houfe was on Fire, one of the hotteft Cannonadings they had yet made was kept up to prevent People from extinguishing the Flames. In the Night, another Shell fell through Mr. Laurie's Houfe in Broughton Street, which killed two Women and two Children who were under it. The Bombardment and Can nonade continued all Night.
Wednefday, the 6th, there was another Cannonade and Bombardment as before, which Shattered the Houfes in Town corifiderably. The French opened another Battery of two fmall Guns near their Bomb Battery.
Thurfday, the yth, the fame as the pre-

Siege of Savannah.

37

ceding Day; feveral Carcafes were thrown during the Night, one of which burnt an old Houfe on Broughton Street.
Capt. John Simpfon, of the Georgia Loyalifts, was killed on the Morning of Friday the 8th by a Grape-fhot from one of the French Batteries, whilft he was walking in Major Wright's Redoubt. Much Damage was done this Day to the Houfes by Cannon Shot. The Firing continued very hot all Night, and a great number of Shells were thrown, one of which fell into the Provoft, killed two Men on the Spot, and wounded nine others, fome of whom died fince. Another burft in the Cellar, under the Office of the CommirTioner of Claims, killed one Negro, 'and wounded another.
On Saturday, the gth, about daybreak, an Attack 1 was made by the French and

1 The Brkifh had been notified of the Plan of this Attack by James Curry, a Clerk of Charlefton, \vho had been made Ser geant-Major of the Volunteer Grenadiers of that City, and who deferted to the Enemy. They were therefore prepared to refift the real Attack, and on their Guard agatnft the feint Movements of the Allies. Stevens*s Hi/I, of Georgia, ii, 21 5.

38

Journal of the

Rebels upon the Redoubt to the Right of our Lines, on the Road leading to Ebenezer,1 the Battery near the Spring, and on the Redoubt by Colonel Maitland's Tent, into which the Colonel, Governor and Lieutenant Governor repaired.
The Attack was made with great Spirit and Impetuofhy by the French, fuppofed to be about 3,500, of the Flower of their Army; to which were joined about 2,500 Rebels, confifting of the Virginia and South Carolina Continentals, and South Carolina Militia. Count D'Eftaing afted as Firft, and General Lincoln as Second in Com mand. The Morning being very Foggy, favored them in their Aflault, which con tinued about an hour, when they were beat back, and moft (hamefully retreated with great Precipitation. The Troops who alone defeated this formidable Force confifted of

1 A German Settlement, twenty-five Miles from Savannah.

A Hofpital was eftabliftied there by the Britifh in the Revolu

tion.

.

.

Siege of Savannah.

39

28 dismounted Dragoons,

In t^6 Redoubts on the Ebe-

28 Battalion Men of the 6ootthh Re-( nfer Ro*d where c**'

giment,

> tain Tawfe commanded,
( and who fell in bravely

54 South Carolina Loyalifts, J defending it.

go of Col. Hamilton's North Car-'

olina Loyalifts,

( Jri tne Redoubt in which Co-

75 Militia, under Capt's Wallace,{ lonei Maitiand was.

Tallemach, and Polhill,

74 Grenadiers", of the 6oth Regi "\ Who were ordered to fup-

ment, 37 Marines, .;

f port' the Redoubt, and | bravely charged the EneJ my with their Bayonets.

Befides the above, the Spring Battery of 6 Guns, manned by 31 Sailors, under the Command of Captains Manley and Stiel, did very great Execution, which contri buted much to the glorious Succefs of the Day.
On the Left, the Rebels made two Feints; one on Major Wright's Redoubt by General Williamfon, 1 with 500 Men, the other on Colonel Cruger's, by General Huger,2 with

1 General Andrew Williamfon, whofc fubfequent Defeftion gave him the Title of the " Southern Arnold."
'2 General Ifaac Hugcr, of South Carolina.

Journal of the
700 men; but both Parties foon returned, having about 500 Men killed and wounded.
After the Retreat of the Enemy from our Right, 270 Men, chiefly French, were found Dead; upwards of 80 of whom lay in the Ditch and on the Parapet of the Redoubt, firft attacked, and 93 were within our Abattis. Two Rebel Standards were once fixed on the Redoubt on the Ebenezer Road; one of them was carried off again, and the other, which belonged to the Se cond Carolina Regiment, was taken. 1
1 Colonel Laurens, at the Head of the Light Infantry, the Second South Carolina Regiment, and the Firft Battalion of Charlefton Militia, alfo attacked the Redoubtj and the Colors of the Second South Carolina Regiment, which had been prefcnted to it by Mrs. Elliott, of Charlefton, were for a Moment planted on the Berm by Lieutenants Hume and Bufh, who being killed, Lieutenant Grey advanced to their Support; but he being mor tally wounded, Sergeant Jafper rufhed forward, and, though mortally wounded, brought off his Colors at the Expenfe of his Life. r5/vj'j Hift. of Georgia, 5i, 217. The daring and fucccfsful Enterprifes of Sergeant William Jafper form fome of the moil ftriking Paflfages in the Hiftory of the Southern Campaigns of the Revolution. Sateen's Lincoln, p. 315; Garden's Anec dote*, J, 6, 77, &c. Jafper County in Georgia has fince been named in honor of this brave Sergeant.

Siege of Savannah.

4.1

Since the Attack, we have learnt from French Officers, Deferters and other, that they loft in killed and wounded 700 Men, fome fay 1,000, and others 1,800, reck oning 63 Officers, in the Lift of Slain. Amongft the Wounded were Count d'Eftaing and the famous' Polifh Count Pulafki. The former received a Mufket-mot in his Arm, and another in his Thigh ; the latter, a Grape-mot in his Groin, and is iince dead. 1

1 Count Pulafki, with his Cavalry, followed the attacking Col umns with the View of charging in the Rear of the Redoubts at the firft vulnerable Point ; but, finding the Front of d'Eflaing's Troops thrown into Confufion by the deadly Fire of the Britim, he left his Command to the Care of Colonel Horry, and with Captain Bentalou haftened on his black Charger to animate, by his Prefence, the wavering Spirits of the Soldiers, and carry out the Plans of d'Eftaihg, now twice wounded, and borne from the Field. He dafhed on heedlefs of Danger, and anxious only to retrieve the Difcomfiture into which the head Columns had been thrown. He penetrated to the Spring Hill Redoubt the Scene of the greateft Carnage, and, endeavoring to rally the difordered Troops, was ftruck by a Grape-mot from the laft Gun of the Baftion. He reeled upon his Horfe which, unguided, plunged madly forward until his noble Rider fell into the Arms of his Comrades, and was borne by them back from the murderous Confiift.
But nothing human could Hand before the terrible Cannonade

4_2

jfournal of the

Our Lofs on this ever memorable Occafion was only Capt. Tawfe, and 15 Privates

From the Enemy's Lines. Troops the braveft, Soldiers the moft disciplined, Hearts the ftouteft, quailed before the Angel of Death, as he (eemed to fpread out his Wings upon that BloodCovered Plain. When the fecond American Column, under Mclmofh, reached the Spring Hill Redoubt, the Scene of Confufion was dreadful. They marched up over Ground ftrewn with the Dead and Dying; and feldom has the Sun of a warm Octo ber Morning looked down upon a Scene fo mournful and appaling. The Smoke of the Mtulcets and Cannon hung broodingly over the Place, gathering denfenefs and darknefs from every Difcharge; and the Roar of Artillery, the Rattling of fmall Arms, the calling BugJe, the founded Retreat, the ftirring Drum, and the Cries of she Wounded blended ftartlingly together.
Cohnel Huger, marching through the low Rice Grounds, reached his appointed Poft, and was received with Mufic and a briflc Difcharge, which killed twenty-eight of his Men, and compelled him to retreat. Only the Column of Mclntofh was now frefh and ready for Aftion. But the Fate of the Day was decided; the French and Americans had been slain and wounded by hundreds, and their Bodies lined the Redoubts and Ditches. They had left their Camp in anticipation of decifive Victory, Blood-bought and Toil-earned, indeed, but yet Victory; and expected to Plant the Standards of the Army over the proftrate Enfigns of England; but the betrayal of their Plans of Attack, and the lofing of their Way, with the confequent Detention till Daylight revealed their Pofition to the Enemy, changed the For tunes of the Day, and, though bold, valiant, and perfevering, they were repulfed and flaughtered. For one Hour, they had flood gallant and undaunted before die murderous Cannonade,

Siege of Savannah.

4.3

killed, and 35 wounded; amongft them, Lieut. Smollett Campbell of the Light Dragoons, and Lieut. James Wallace of the firft Company of Militia. 1
Our whole Force Regulars, Militia, Volunteers and Sailors on Duty did not exceed 2,350 Men.
A Flag was foon fent in by the Enemy, defiring a Truce for the Burial of their Dead, and receiving the Wounded, which was agreed to till three o'clock in the Afternoon, and then prolonged till dark. During the Night there was a flight Can nonading on both Sides, and many Deferters came in.
Sunday, roth, feveral Flajgs pafTed, and Truces were agreed to for the above Purpofes. Some Deferters came in during the Night.
which ftruck down Rank after Rank, and (ent Difmay, by its fwecping Fury, into every Column until, finding further Attempt but ufelefs Sacrifice of Life, a Retreat was ordered, and the Remains of that gallant Army were drawn off the Field. Stevens's Hi'L of Georgia, ii, 217.
1 Sec official Report of Cafualties in the Appendix.

44

yournal of the

Monday, nth, Deferters continued com ing in, who informed that the French were fending off their Sick and Wounded, and heavy Cannon, on board their Ships; and that the Panic-ftruck Rebel Militia were running off in great numbers.
On Tuefday, the I2th, at day-light the French fifed only three Shot from fmall Pieces of Cannon.
Wednefday, I3th, the Enemy, early in the Morning, fired one Shot from a Fieldpiece, in return for feveral from our Bat teries. This Forenoon the Truite moved out of the Back River, and came to anchor at Five-Fathom-Hole, the Wind being un favourable for her getting down the River. In the Night a few Shot from our Batteries ptoduced fome from the French.
On the Night of Thurfday, the I4th, our firing was anfwered by the Enemy. Deferters ftill came in. Two more Rebel Gallies joined the others at Five-FathomHole.
Friday, the I5th, we were informed that

Siege of Savannah.

45

all the Carolina Militia were gone off. This Day a..Ship came up and joined the Enemy's Fleet. Deferters continued to come in. Much Firing from our Batteries in the Night, anfwered by three or four Guns from the French.
Saturday, the i6th, in the Afternoon there was a great deal of fkirmifhing on Mr. Gillivray's Plantation, betwixt fome Negroes and a Party of Rebels, and the latter were feveral Times driven from the Buildings on the Plantation into the Woods. Want of Ammunition, however, obliged the Blacks to retreat in the Evening, with the Lols of one killed, and three or four wounded. The Enemy's Lofs is not known. There was very little firing this Night from the French, who had fent off all their Cannon except two.
Sunday, the i/th, we were informed that the French Mulatto and Black Brigade had marched to Col. Mulryne's 1 to embark. The Enemy fired a few Shot in the Night.

1 John Miillrync.
G

46

yournal of the

- -. ,*

Monday, the i8th, our firing this Night was not anfwered by the Enemy.
On Tuefday, the ipth, we received Ad vice that the French had taken Poft two Miles from Town, at the Crofs-roads, lead ing to Brewton's, 1 with a Swamp on their Right and Left, and that the Rebels were

crofimg the River with all Expedition at

the Two Sifters, and the Rev. Mr. Zubly's

Ferry.* The French Batteries were this

Dav deftroved by Parties fent out for that

j

*

.j

Purpofe. .

Wednefdav* ,* 2Oth,* the Militia were difcharged; the Light Dragoons fcoured the

Country, and brought in fome Prifoners.

All the French embarked at Cafton's Bluff

in 100 Boats, in which they proceeded to

Tybee, and went on board their Ships.

From the 2ift to the 30th the Wind,

1 Brcwton's Hill was a Bluff, thirty Feet high, diftant by Road three or four Miies from the Town. A narrow Caufeway, a third of a Mile long, occurred on this Road.
2 Rev. John J. ZubJy, D.D., was at an early Period enlifted in the Continental Caufe, and was a Delegate in Congrefs; but h. fa'--f_-cuent}v eavc his adherence to the Crown.

Siege of Savannah.

47

hanging to the Eaftward, prevented the Enemy's Shipping that had come up the River from getting down. Cartels during the Time were coming up with Prifoners.
The 3ift the French and Rebel Veffels got down to Cockfpur. 1
And on Tuefday, the 2d of November, the whole of the Enemy's Shipping that were at Tybee failed over the Bar, and left our Port open.2

1 Fort Pulafki was fubfequently erefted by the United States Government on Cockfpur's Ifland, fourteen Miles below Savan nah. It was begun in 1831.
"2 Profeflbr Stevens, in reviewing the Events of this Siege, makes the following Remarks:
"Looking back upon the Siege of Savannah, and taking in all its Operations at one Survey, we are aftonifhed at the Number of Errors which fcemed to mark the Conteft. ' The firft great Error was in the French Fleet pafiing by Beaufort, without cap turing Colonel Maitland and his eight Hundred Men. The overwhelming Force of the French could eafily have effected this, but the Charlcfton Pilots refufcd to take the Ships over Port Royal Bar. Had this Regiment been captured, the Fate of theCity would have been reverfcd. The ftcond Error was in the hafty Summons of the City to furrender to the Arms of the King of France before d'Eftaing ha'd been joined by Lincoln. The joint Summons of thefe Generals, backed by the Prefcnce of their joint Armies, would have produced a different Anfwer

4.8

yournal of the

It is not known which way the Count d'Eflaing has fleered his Courfe. It was

from the Englifh Commander. The third great Error the fatal Error was in the French Genera] granting a Truce of twenty-four Hours. That Truce faved the City. It was highly impolitic,.'when a fudden Impreffion was'defired; but it was almoft culpable, when" the American Genera] was not prefent, but was hourly expefted, to concede fuch a Priviledge without his approval. D'Eitaing was too much flufhcd with the Victo ries of Grenada and St. Vincents to be cautious. Lincoln had been too long fchooled in Difafters not to be wary and vigilant.
"The Englifh Officers themfelves acknowledged that had the combined Armies marched to Savannah at their firft Junction, they could eafily have taken it; fo poorly defenfible was it at the Beginning of the Siege. The Ignorance of their Guides, and the Betrayal of their Plan of Attack, completed the Series of Misfortunes which refuhed in their Overthrow.
" The Seafon of the Year, both, for Land and Sea Operations, was the moft improper which could have been chofen. Who, that is at all acquainted with our Coaft, does not know its pecu liar Expofure to the equinoclial Gales of September? And who, that knows our Climate, is not aware of the almoft certain Sickncfs which, during our Fall Months, attacks the Stranger, particularly at that Period, when camping near Swamps and Ditcher? The confequerice was, that the French Officers and Troops, both at Sea and on Land, were continually anxious, reftive, longing to depart; fearing the Miafma on Shore and the Hurricane on the Ocean. Both came to them too foon; but the Deftruftion of neither equalled the Carnage of the Battle. There was a vauntingnefs at times in the Language of d'Eftaing,

Siege of Savannah.

49

faid i i of his Line-of-battle Ships were to go with him to France, and the remainder to Chefapeak to refit and take in Provifions. Wherever they may have gone, it is to be hoped, when he is fent by the King, his Mafter, on another Expedition, fhould he have Occafion to fummon a Garrifon to furrender, and find it neceffary to vaunt of
which rendered it too haughty to be brave. His Words at his Summons 'I have not been able to refufe the Army of the United States uniting it/elf with the King/ is a ftrange Piece of Diplomacy; for it implies that he had endeavored to prevent it, when his very Purpofe in coming to Georgia was to effedl it. The Conduct of the French Troops during the Siege was ex emplary and praifeworthy. A generous Emulation, and nothing more, pervaded both Armies; and the Bravery of the Allies needs no greater Commenl'man the Number of Dead and Wounded they left tspon fthe Field of Battle. Wafhington, writing to General LracoJri two Months after this Attack, con cerning its Failure, thus alludes to the Army : ' While I regret the Misfortune, I feel a very fenfible Pleafure in contemplating the gallant Behaviour of the Officers and Men of the French and American Army; and it adds not a little to my Confolation to learn that, inftead of mutual Reproaches, which too often follow the Failure of Enterprifes depending upon the Coopera tion of Troops of different Nations, their Confidence in and Efteem for each other arc mcreafed.' " Hijlory of Georgia, ii, 223.

50

Journal of the

the valorous Deeds he performed at Gre nada, where, with an Army of 4,000 Men, he took a Fort by Storm, garrifoned with about 80 Regulars and fome Militia, he will keep in remembrance the Names of General MEADOWS, and PREVOST. This will fufficiently ferve to humble his haughty Spirit, and convince him that he is not al together invincible.
It is imagined the French, in this late Bombardment, did not throw lefs than i ,000 Shells into the Town and Camp. The Carcafes thrown were in Number ' about twenty.
Laft Sunday Morning, the Brig Three Friends failed for London, in which went Paffengers Capt. Shaw, of the 6oth Regi ment, Aid-de-camp to his Excellency, Gen. Prevoft, and Capt. Chriftian, Commander of His Majefty's armed Ship Vigilant; alfo failed for New York the Sloop Crawford, in which Capt. Patrick Campbell, of the yift Regiment, went Paflenger.
We are told that one of the French flat-

Siege of Savannah.

51

*
bottomed Boats, full of Soldiers'and Sailors, when they began to land their Troops off OfTabaw, in a Swell of the Sea, filled with Water, by which means {he funk, and all on board perifhed. 1
In confequertce of a Proclamation, iflued by His Excellency the Governor, laft Fri day2 was obferved here as a Day of public Thankfgiving to Almighty God, for his very fignal Mercies vouchfafed us during the Siege of this Town, by the united Forces of the French and Rebels.
All the French and Rebel VeiTels have left this River.
November 25. A VefTel arrived at St. Auguftine from Antigua, brings an Ac count of eleven ftore Ships, under Convoy of a 40 and a 32-Gun Ship from France, bound to Martinico, being taken by fome of our Fleet in the Weft Indies.

1 Captain Henry, of the Ship Fowey, ftates, in a Letter publifhed in the Appendix, that the French loft one Hundred Men by this Accident.
- October 29, 1779.

52

Journal of the

Tuefday laft, arrived here His Majefty's Ship Blonde, ANDREW BARCLAY, Efqr. 9 Commander, from New York, but laft from St. Auguftine, in which came Paffenger Major Gen. LESLIE ; Major Sheriff alfo came in the above Veffel from Eaft Florida.

Additions to the journal of the Proceedings of the Victorious Army at Savannah in Georgia.
On the 23d, fome Officers' Wives were fent on Shore; they were taken on the Paflage from New York at the fame Time with the TLxperiment, Man-of-war.
On the 24th, the Comte Noailles, Nephew to the laft AmbafTador from France to our Court, with the Commander of the Truette Frigate, came to Savannah with the Seamen and Marines taken in the 'Experiment and Ariel; Sir James Wallace,^ and Capt. Me- -
* 1 The Journal of the Experiment, 'with an Account of her Capture, are given on a fubfequent Page of this Volume.

Siege of Savannah.

53

Kinzie being faid already to have embarked for Old France, in order to their being exchanged there not being Officers of equal Rank to them here. The Comte declared the Panic of the Troops laft em barked was fuch, that they would have laid down their Arms had we detached 500 of our Troops to purfue them; that 63 of their Officers were killed, and 20 wounded, and 1,000 of the beft Soldiers of France, befides great Numbers by Sicknefs at their Landing ; that their Effectives confifted of

Number of Effectives, -

3,000

Marines from their Ships, - -

Mulattoes, ----- 500

/'

The Rebels confifted of, -

5,000 - . - 2,500

7,500

On the Day of the Attack, that the Re turns of the Lofs of Seamen and Marines in the Engagement with Admiral Byron, off Grenada, was upwards of 700 Men;
H

54

Journal of the

that the Death of Comte Brown was greatly lamented. Noailles added, that he was one of the beft Officers the French King had in his Service; that their whole Fleet (which, on their firft Arrival, conlifted of 25 Ships of the Line, 13 Frigates, and 3 fmall-armed Veflels), are very thinly Manned, having loft many Seamen and Marines bv Sicknefs fince the Battle with
^
Admiral Byron ; and off Georgia, owing to bad Provifions and bad Weather, that the Magnifque, of 74 Guns, is fo very leaky, that thev^ were forced to take out her Guns,* and that me and the Valiant, of 64, have not more than 140 Hands on board. In fhort, the Comte de Noailles fays, that if ten Ships of the Line were to engage them in their prefent Condition, they would be able to take their whole Fleet; that in our Sortie on the 24th, the French had 17 Officers killed and wounded, and upwards of 150 Men ; that Mons. Bougainville, and all the French Land and Sea Officers greatly exclaimed againft Comte d'Eftaing, and alfo

Siege of Savannah. , 55
at the rafcally behaviour of the Rebels on the Day of Battle. 1
Great Honor is due to General Prevoft for his fteady, cool, and moderate Manner, in which he gave his Orders during the Siege, particularly on the Day of Attack. Our Chief Engineer, Capt. Moncrieffe, has immortalized himfelf by his indefatiguable Perfeverance in eredtmg and ftrengthening the Batteries, Redoubts, &c. * * . * It is faid General Prevoft has made a Difpofition for the Recovery of the Poft at Beaufort, of which we doubt not the Hon ourable General Leflie will foon take Poffeflion.
It is with much Regret we announce the Death of Captain Eneas Mclntom, 2 Cap-
1 The extreme Improbability that an Officer in the French Service fhould have willingly made fuch Diiclofurcs of Lofles to an Enemy, leads us to regard the Statements as altogether a FicVion, and invented by the Englifh Writer of the above Ar ticle.
2 Corrected in a fubfequent Paper to Angus Mclntofh. There was another Officer named Eneas Mclntofh ftill at Savannah. The Eftate of the Deceafed was fettled by Lachlan Mclntofli, Commiffary, No. 1,078, Water Street, N. Y.

56

Journal of the

tain and Paymafter of the 71 ft Regiment in Georgia.
The following is fuppofed, upon good Authority, to be the Difpofition of the Comte d'Eftaing's Fleet.
Twelve departed for Europe; five, under Mons. De Grafle, for the Weft Indies. The Remainder, four of which have loft their Rudders, are lame Ducks, and fcattered in different Parts of the Continent.

ANOTHER JOURNAL
OF THE
SIEGE OF SAVANNAH.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazcttc,No. 335, Dec. 15, 1779.]
OEPTEMBER 3, 1779. Saw from Ty^ bee Light-houfe four large Ships in the Offing; fent Lieut. Lock in the Pilot Boat to reconnoitre them.
4th. The Lieutenant returned, and re ported the ftrange Ships in the Offing to be two French Ships of the Line, two Frigates and a Sloop.
5th. They flood off this Day and ap peared again.
6th. Lieut. Whitworth was difpatched with Advice to New York of the Enemy being on the Coaft, but was chafed in by the French.
7th. Lieut. Whitworth failed again, and we hope efcaped the Enemy, employed in founding the North Channel, and bringing

Journal of the
the Rofe, Keppel and Germain Men-of-war into it, and mooring them.
8th. The Signal was made from the Light-houfe, of feeing 18 Sail; at Sunfet counted 41 Sail, 32 of which appeared large Ships; an Officer and Reinforcement came to Tybee Fort, which had only one 24-pounder, and one 8J-inch Howitzer. Came down from Cockfpur, and anchored in the North Channel. His Majefty's Ship Foivey, the Savannah armed Ship, Tranf^ ports and Prifbn Ships, ready to go up to Savannah River. Started all the Water except the Ground Tier.
9th. At Daylight, faw the French Fleet, fome of them in Chafe of a Schooner with Englifh Colours, which they took.
loth. Four of the Enemy's Ships got under Way at high Water, and flood for Tybee; the Foivey made the Signal to weigh; weighed with the Foivey, Keppel and Comet Galley, and run up Savannah River as far as Long Beach. The Fowey
v got aground onAVhite Vefter Bank. Or-

Siege of Savannah.

59

dered the Keppel and Comet to her Affiftance, with Boats, Anchors, &c. The Fort was abandoned and burnt. The French Ships anchored off Tybee. The Foivey got off at high Water. 1

1 The following Orders were iflued September pth: "The Regiment of WifTenbach to take their Ground of En campment; likewife the zd Battalion of General Delancey's. In Cafe of an Alarm, which will be known by the beating to Arms, both at the Barracks and main Guard, the Troops are to repair to their feveral Pofts without Confufion or Tumult. " Captain Stuart, of the Bririfh Legion, will take Poll with his Men on the Right, near the River. "The Main Guard to be relieved by Convalefcents from the Heflians. " Major Wright's Corps to fend their Convalefcents in the old Fort. Twenty-four Men in the fmall Redoubt, and feventy Men in the Left Flank Redoubt, upon the Road to Tatnail's. " The Militia to aflcmble in Rear of the Barracks. " The Light Infantry, the Dragoons, and Carolina ~L5ghthorie, as a Re/erve, two hundred Yards within the Barracks. " The King's Rangers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Brown, in the fmall Redoubt on the Right, with fifty Men; the Remainder extending towards the larger Redoubt on the Right. "The Carolinians, divided equally in the two large Re doubts. " The Battalion Men of the 6oth Regiment in the right Re doubt, the Grenadiers on the Left, extending along the Abatis

60

yournal of the

nth. Employed founding and laying off the Channel leading to Savannah. The Foiiey , Keppel, and Comet Galley anchored there.
12th. At Sunfet a French Ship anchored off Tybee; two more anchored in the South Channel, and one in the North. Perceived fhe was aground.
13th. At 2 P. M. a Sloop, the Cra^ford,
^
towards the Barracks; the Heflians on their Left, fo as to fill up the Space to the Barracks.
" On the Left of the Barracks, the 3d Battalion of Skinner's, General Delahcey's, and the New York Volunteers; and on their Left the rift Regiment, lining the Abatis to the left Flank Redoubt, on the Road to TatnalPs.
"If all the Orders are fibntly and punctually obeyed, the Genera! makes no doubt that if the Enemy fhould attempt to make an Attack but that they will be repulfed, and the Troops main tain their former \vs!l acquired Reputation. Nor will it be the firfl Time that Bririlh and Hcffian Troops have beat a greater Superiority, both French and Americans, than it is probable they will have to encounter on this Occafion. The General repeats his firm Reliance on the Spirit and fleady Coolnefs of the Troops he has the Honour to Command." Stei'Ms's Hift. of Georgia, ii, 203.
The original Order Book of General Prevofl was in Pofieflion Of J. K. Tefft, Efq., of Savannah, when quoted by Mr. Steyens.

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came along-fide. Sent eight 9-Pounders, 400 Shot, and eight Barrels of Powder, &c., to the Army. The Comet Galley moved to Cockfpur and exchanged fome Shot with the French Ships aground -the French Fleet at anchor without the Bar. At 7 A. M., weighed, as did the Fowey, Keppel, and Comet Galley. At half paft, the Ship took the Ground, but foon floated. An chored with the fmall Bower. At 8 weighed, and came up the River. At 11 anchored at Five-Fathom-Hole.
I4th. Sent Lieut. Lock 26 Seamen, Capt. Rankin, and all the Marines to reinforce the Army, per Order from Commodore
Henry. 15th. At 2 the Keppel and Comet went
down the Harbour to cover and proted: the Troops expected from Beaufort. This Day I joined the Army with the remaining Part of the Officers and Ship's Company, leaving only enough to keep the Ship free. Potted the Officers and Seamen to the different
I

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Journal of the

Batteries in the Line. The General re ceived a Summons from Count d'Eftaing 1 to furrender, &c., &c., TO THE ARMS OF THE FRENCH KING. A Council of War was

1 Charles Heflor Comte d'Eftaing was born in Auvergne in

1729; began his military Career as a Colonel of Infantry, and

Jbon after, being advanced to the Rank of Brigadier, was fent,

under Count de Lally, to ferve in the Eaft Indies. He was taken

Prifoner at Madras in 1759, and paroled, but had the Indifcre-

tion to violate his Pledge; and, upon again falling into the Hands

of the Englifh, was treated with great Severity. He lay in clofe

Confinement a long^Tirne in the Hulks at Portfmouth, but was

finally relcafed. At the TPeaceof 1763 he was made Lieutenant-

General of the naval Forces; but his Appointment occafioned

Jealoufies in the Navy which he never overcame.

In 1778 he was lent as Vice-Admiral to America with twelve

Ships; but adverfe Winds detained him till Lord Howe, with a

much fmaller Squadron in the Delaware, had reembarked, and

landed his Troops in New York. When before Rhode Ifland,

and about to attack the Britifh, a Storm fcattered and difabled

his Fleet. His fubfequem Succefs in the Weft Indies, and Fail

ure before Savannah are noticed in thefe Pages. After this Re-

pulfe, he returned to France. In 1783, he commanded a French

and Spanifh Fleet at Cadiz, but the Peace put an End to this

Expedition.

.

'

. Entering with Spirit into the French Revolution, he became,

in 1789, Commandant of the National Guard at Verfailles; but

his Career was not without grievous Stains upon his Name, and

he perifhcd under the Guillotine in April, 1794, under the

Charge of being a counter Revolutionift.

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called on the Occafion, and an Anfwer was fent. A Trooper of Pulafki's was brought in this Morning.
i6th. The Remainder of the Rofe and Fowefs Guns were landed. The Guns were immediately mounted on the different Bat teries. Colonel Maitland, and the Troops from Beaufort arrived 71 ft and New York Volunteers; brave Fellows. Savan nah in the higheft Spirits. 1

1 The Refult of the impending Attack was doubtlcfs decided by this Arrival.
" Every Avenue by which the Approach of Col. Maitland and his Highlanders could be looked for was clofed; yet by un conquerable Induftry, he difcovered an obfcure Creek, but little navigated; and, by dint of perfevering Exertion, dragging his Boats through it, reached the Garrifon before the Time allowed for Deliberation had expired. Entering the Council Chamber where Difcuffions were car-ying on, he is faid to have approached with hurried Step the Table, and, ftriking the Hilt of his Clay more againfl it, to have exclaimed, 'the Man who utters a Sylla ble recommending Surrender, makes me his decided Enemy; it is ncceflfary that"either be or /fhould fall.' So refolute a Speech, at a Moment fb critical, produced the happieft Effect on the Minds of all. Hope and Courage regained their Influence in every Mind; each Individual repaired to his Poft With Alacrity and Confidence; the Terms offered by the Befiegers were rejected,

64.

Journal of the

i/th. A Truce agreed on for 24 Hours, viz., till Gun-fire, p. M. 1
18th. Continued Truce. 19th. Hands fent down to bring the Ships up nearer the Town. All the Ships
and the Town was faved." Garden's Anecdotes of the American Rt-i-zlutitn, Brooklyn Ed. 1865, iii, 101.
1 The following. Orders of the Day, for the 17th of Septem ber, indicate the Spirit with which the Englifh Commander engaged in the impending Conteft :
" GENERAL ORDERS. " Camp before Savannah, 17th September, 1779. " P<irc!-j Maiiland. Counterfign St. George. "Field Officers for To-morrow Lieutenant Colonel Cruger and Major Graham. " The Troops to be under Arms this Afternoon at four o'clock; as the Enemy is now very near, an Attack may be hourly expected; the General therefore defires that the whole may be in inftant readiners. By the known Stcadincfs and Spirit of the Troops, he has the mofl unlimited Dcpendancc, doubting nothing of a glorious Victory, fhould the Enemy try their Strength. What is it that may not, by the BleiTmg of God, be expeftcd from the united Efforts of Briti/h Sailors and Soldiers, and valliant Heffians, againft an Enemy that they have often beat before? In Cafe of a Night Attack, the General earneftly requefts the utmoft Silence to be obferved, and Atten tion to the Officers, who will be careful that the Men do not throw away their Fire at random, and warn them earneftly not to fire until ordered." Stet-ens's ////? of Georgia, 5i, 311.

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moved ; the Pickets firing moft Part of the Night.
2oth. New Works thrown up, the French Ship Rebel Galleys moving up the River. Orders, from Capt. Henry to fcuttle and link the Rofe Man-of-War in the Channel, which was immediately done, after getting out as many of her Stores, Sec., as the Time would admit. The Savannah arm'd Ship, and Venus, Tranfport, were burnt, with their Guns and Provifions, Ammunition, &c. Two or three Tranfports funk at Five-Fathom-Hole, or thereabouts, with all their Sails burnt, &c., &c.
21 ft. Two Negros, deferted from the Enemy, report them Strong; Gen. Lin coln with the Rebel Army having joined the French, and that they are preparing to attack; ftrengthening our Works; firing occafionally on the Enemy to difturb them/
2zd. The Enemy ftill opening Works to the Left; fired on them occafionally from the.Batteries.
23d. Strengthening the Works, and throw-

66

yournal of the

ing up Intrenchments in Front of the dif ferent Corps in that Line.
24th. At feven in the Morning, faw the Enemy very bufy intrenching themfelves to the Left of the Barracks. Three Com panies of Light Infantry made a Sortie with great Spirit. The Enemy being too numerous, obliged them to retreat under the Fire of our Batteries, with the lofs of 21 killed and wounded. Lieut. McPherfon, of the 71 ft, was killed. It is fuppofed the Enemy fuffered confiderably. The Enemy fired feveral Cannon in our Line from two iS-Pounders, and fome 4-Pounders. A Flag was fent to bury the Dead, on both Sides. In the Afternoon the Enemy's Gallies advanced near the Works. Our Gallies exchanged feveral Shots with them, and returned under the Sea Battery. The new Battery behind the Barracks rimmed this Day, mounted with two i8-Pounders, two 9-Pounders, and Field-Pieces. Throw ing up Intrenchments in Front of the dif ferent Corps in the French Lines, about

Siege of Savannah.

67

half a Mufket Shot from our Abattis. The Pickets exchanged Shot the greater Part of the Night; we throwing Shells into their Works, and firing on them from our Bat teries every fifteen Minutes.
25th. The French throw up new Works on the Left of the Barracks, in which they mounted two i8-Pounders en barbette, but were driven from them by our Batteries. In the Evening the Rebel Gallies advanced up to the Rofe, but were obliged to retire, by the Fire of the Comet and Thunderer Gallies. Continued throwing Shells, and firing on their Works during the Night.
26th. At ii, A. M., the Enemy's Gallies fired a few Shot at the Fort on the Left of the Encampment, without Effect A French Frigate advanced to Five-FathomHole.
2/th. At 3, A. M., a fmall Fire of Mufketry from the Pickets. At 8, A. M., a Flag from the French, with private Letters from the Britim Prifoners. Deftroyed the Barracks, and carried off the Wood, &c., leaving

68

Journal of the

the lower Part as a Breaftwork, to prevent it being fired from the Enemy. Continued throwing Shells, and cannonading the Ene my's Works during the Night.
28th. At i in the Morning a fmall firing between the Picquets. A Rebel taken clofe to our Abattis. About 2, another firing from our Picquets. At 9, A. M., a French Frigate moved up the Back River, and moored her Stern and Head. Everything quiet this Day. The Enemy carrying on their Works. 8, P. M., the "Thunderer Gal ley moored near the French Frigate, and began to cannonade her. The Frigate did not return her Fire.
29th. At Daylight this Morning, faw a new Intrenchment on the Left, raifed during the Night by the Enemy, within half a Mufket Shot of our Lines. Em ployed throwing up Breaftworks to the Right and Left of the Barracks. Fired on the Enemy's Works every fifteen Minutes from the Batteries and Howitzers during the Night.

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3Oth. At Daylight perceived the Enemy working and extending their Intrenchments. At 7, A. M., the Thunderer Galley advanced towards the French Frigate on the Back River, and fired at her. She did not return a Shot. The Thunderer returned, having broke the Platform of her Gun. At 10, A. M., a Brig came up to FiveFathom-Hole. The Rebel Gallies on their former Station, near the Works below. The Rofe, a Boat with a fmall Gun, fired at the Thunderer without efFecl:; a Launch and another Boat went up the Back River. A Man came in from the Enemy; gives no fatisfactory Intelligence. Some firing from the Battery on the Right, and the armed VefTels, on the Enemy at Yamacraw, as well as from the Batteries in the Front and the Left, on the French Intrenchments. This Night, an Officer of Pulalki's was wounded and brought into the Lines by the Picquets.
Oftober ift. At 7, A. M., the French Frigate in the Back River fired fome Shot
K

jo

Journal of the

towards the Town, and at the Negroes on Hutchinfon's Ifland. Perceived the En emy in Front and on the Left, having in their Works Embrafures, &c. A Flag from us to the French, with Letters from the wounded Officer taken laft Night. Still employed in ftrengthening our Lines, par ticularly in Front. Sent out of the Lines two Dragoons of Pulafki Legion by a Flag, who had been detained fome Time here, and received an Officer of the fame Legion with a Flag, Mons. Bentolofa, who came to lee the Officer that was wounded and brought in laft Night. Employed in ftrongly throwing up a new Battery on our Left, to be mounted with eight 9-Pounders, to act on the Enemy's Batteries. In hourly expectation of the Attack. This Afternoon frelh Breezes from E.N.E. and Rain. Fired during the Night from the Batteries in Front, and threw fome Shells into the French Intrenchments.
zd. Rainy Weather; Wind E.N.E.; the Enemy ftill working in their Intrench-

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ments, and preparing the Batteries. At Noon the Enemy's Gallies advanced near the Sea Battery, and began to cannonade, as did the Frigate in the Back River. Several of their Shot carrie into the Rear of the Camp, and without doing Execu tion. The Thunderer returned a few Shot; the Sea Battery did not. A Deferter from Pulafki's Legion reports the Enemy's Bat teries to be near ready. A Deferter from the French likewife with the fame Ac count. The Frigate in the Back River fired again in the Afternoon without effect. Threw Shells, and fired from the Batteries into the French Intrenchments, to difturb them during the Night.
3d. Rainy Weather ; Wind E.N.E.; the Enemy ftill working in the Intrench ments, and compleating their Batteries; the French Frigate firing on the Rear of the Camp without effect. At 12 o'clock this Night, the Enemy opened the Bomb Bat teries, and fired warmly into the Town, but none into the Field.

72

Journal of the

4th. The Enemy ftill continue their Fire from the Bomb and other Batteries. It was returned by us.
5th. The Enemy ftill cannonading the Camp and Town. At Night a Houfe took fire, but it went out without communicating to any other Building. The Frigate and Gallies firing as ufual. Heard a cannonade at Sea.
6th. The Enemy ftill firing on the .Works, Camp and Town. The Line turned out at Dawn, on an Alarm that the Enemy were approaching. The Cannonade and Bombardment continued all Night.
yth. Still continued Cannonading and throwing (hells on both Sides ; the Enemy throwing mofl of their Fire towards the Town, which fuffers confiderably. A 9Pounder in our Battery, to the Right of the Barracks, burft, and wounded a Seaman. Carpenter employed in repairing the Ebenezer Battery, which had been broke by the Enemy's Shells. At 7 at Night the Enemy

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threw feveral Carcafes into the Town, and burnt one Houfe.
8th. The Enemy fired little this Morn ing, but during the Night cannonaded and bombarded the Town furioufly.
9th. At Drum-beating in the Morning, the French attacked us warmly on the Right, and endeavoured to ftorm the Re doubt and Ebenezer Battery. The Grena diers of the 6oth Regiment advanced to fupport them, and, after an obftinate Refiftance by the French, they drove them back with great Slaughter. Their Lofs is reported to be 600 or 700 killed, wounded, and Prifoners; our Lofs, Captain Tawes, of the Dragoons, who died nobly fighting on the Parapet of the Redoubt; 7 of the 6oth killed and wounded, and two Marines killed and four wounded. A Flag from the French, to bury their Dead, which was granted. At 8 at Night the French beat a Parley,- but were refufed by us. They fired Cannon and Shells during the Night

74

yournal of the

without any other Effect than deftroying the Houfes.
10. This Morning fent a Flag to bury their Dead. The Rebels fent one for the fame Purpofe. The Truce lafted from ten till four, p. M. The French fired feveral Cannon when it expired. Between 8 and 9, P. M., our Picquets fired on the Right feveral Shot. The Lines lay on their Arms all Night, and the Seamen ftood to their Cannon. No other firing from either Side during the Night.
nth. This Morning very Foggy. No Alarm from the Enemy. Our Line very alert and in high Spirits. The French and Rebels fent in Flags of Truce the greateft Part of the Day; the Enemy em ployed burying their Dead, carrying off their Wounded, and fearching for 'their Miffing. The French take off all their Cannon and Mortars during the Night, leaving only fome fmall Field-pieces to amufe us. Our whole Lines in Spirits, ready for another Attack. Several Defert-

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75

ers, French and Rebels, came in, and all report that the Enemy are moving, and that their Lofs in the Attack is much more than we imagined. The Rebels mifs 1,300 ; the French Lofs uncertain, but greater than the Rebels, as they fought like Soldiers, and were killed and wounded; but the Rebels' lofs is from Defertion immediately
after the Defeat. 12th. The French amufed us with four
Cannon Shot at Daybreak. More Deferters came in; fay they are. retreating. Count d'Eftaing was at the Attack, and was dangeroufly wounded in two Places, and the Flower of the French Army killed or wounded; Count Pulafki mortally wounded. The Enemy very quiet all Night. Opened a new Battery on the Right, of three 4-
Pounders. 13th. We 'fired a Gun at 2 in the Morn
ing. The French returned the Shot. The whole Line very alert and under Arms. A Flag out at nine, to return the wounded French Officers and Soldiers. The Frigate

j6

Journal of the

in the Back River moved down at high water. Heard feveral Guns from the Sea, which we fuppofe Signals. More Deferters come in, who reported the Enemy's Lofs to be great. The Rebel Militia are moftly gone off, and the Reft difpirited and ready to March to Charles Town. Our Batteries in Front fired on the Enemy's Works at In tervals during the Night. The Enemy re turned the Fire, which feemed to come from one Gun. Nothing more material during the Night.
14th. More Deferters from the French and Rebels, who make the fame Report as the Former. At nine this Morning a Flag out, to fettle an Exchange of Prifoners. Some Information gives us Reafon to expect a vigorous Attack from the French as foon as they have got off their heavy Baggage, Cannon, Sick and Wounded. We fired at Times during the Night on the Enemy's Works. They returned two Shot only from two fmall Pieces, fuppofed to be 6-
Pounders.

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The Enemy very quiet this Morning. We could not hear the Rebels' Revielle. The French beat Drums, but fired no Morning Gun. A Light-mip come lo Five -FathomHole, fuppofe for Water. Two Gallies joined the two former ones. More Deferters come in, and report the Enemy to be on the Re treat ; that their Lofs the Morning of the Engagement was very great, particularly in their beft Officers. They are very fickly, and difcontented with the Rebels. The Regiment Darmagnac are on their March to Bewlie, with Baggage, Sick and Wound ed. The Night quiet; firing occafionally from the Grand Battery on the Enemy's Intrenchments. They returned three or four Shot.
16th. The French beat the Revielle; the Rebels did not. More Deferters from the French, confirming the former Reports of their great Lofs and Retreat. We are, however, on our Guard. The Frigates in the River loofe their Top-fails as we fup pofe, to drop down and cover the Retreat
L

78

Journal of the

of the French. An Alarm at Sunfet that the Enemy are forming in our Front; the Lines under Arms. The Rebels fet Fire to fome Houfes on our Right, as well as in Our Front. Our armed Negroes fkirmimiSng with the Rebels the whole Afternoon. We fired occafionally during the Night on the Enemy's Works and Camp. They re turned two Shot.
ijth. The French beat the Revielle ; the Rebels did not. Heard the Report of feveral Cannon. A Manager of Sir James Wright's, from Ogeeche, reports that the Enemy were preparing to retreat; that they loft, the Day of the Attack, 1,500 Men killed and wounded, and the Defertion very great. Fire as ufual at the Enemy's Works.
They returned three Shot. 18th. The French beat the Reveille ; the
Rebels did not, but they were heard work ing in the Woods. The armed Negroes brought in two Rebel Dragoons and eight Horfes, and killed two Rebels who were in a foraging Party. Only one Deferter

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this Day from the French, who gives the fame Account as the former ones. Many Boats obferved paffing from the Enemy's VefTels and their Army. Nothing material during the Night. We fired as ufual on their Works, and they returned three Shot from a 6-Pounder. Our Lines very alert, and generally on their Arms, ready to re ceive the Enemy.
19th. The French beat the Revielle ; the Rebels not, but we heard cutting in the Woods. The Ship that came to FiveFathom-Hole moved down the River, as we fuppofed, full of Water, and the French Baggage.
2Oth. The French beat the Revielle ; but did not fire the Morning Gun. Two Deferters that came in this Day, fay the Rebels marched ofFYefterday Evening, after having fired their Camp. The Frigate fell down lower, but the wind being againft her could not go further.

8o

yournal of the

Extratf of a Letter from a Gentleman of the GeneralHofpital at Savannah, to his Friend in this City, dated November 24, 1779.
.'* T NEVER began, my dear Tom, to write -* a Letter in better Humor. You have,
no doubt, already heard of Count D'Eftaing having landed 4,397 Troops in this Pro vince, and demanding a Surrender of this Town and Garrifon. Being denied, he beiieged it by regular Approaches, with the cooperation of the Rebel Army, under Lincoln, amounting to 5,518 effective Men. On the Morning of the 4th of October, their Batteries were finimed and opened with the Dawn. Their Cannon were well ferved, and kept a fevere and conftant fire till 11 o'clock, A. M. The Night preceding, they opened a Bomb Battery. I counted 187 Shells thrown into Town from it, with little Effect. This Amufement we had till the GLORIOUS Morning of the 9th of Oc tober. An Hour before Day the Attack began with a Feint on our Left, the main

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Body upon the Right. They ftofmed twice, but were repulfed with great Lofs. Repulfed by whom ? By 349 South Carolinians, and 24 difmounted Horfemen! the whole under the Command of the immortal Capt. Tawes, to whofe facred Memory, while my Recollection of his unequalled Merit lives, I'll pay an anniverfary Tribute. The Peace of Heaven be with him.
The French loft 67 Officers killed, and 594 Privates, killed and wounded. The Rebels loft 633. D'Eftaing is wounded in the Arm and Leg not mortally. Pulafki is dead of his Wounds, and was thrown overboard on their Paflage to Charles Town. -We were two Days employed in burying their Dead. The Morning of the Attack, I had Charge of a 9~Pounder with Capt. Brown, 1 of the Rofe, and believe me, Tom, I never was happier in my Life than upon this Occafion."

1 The Death of Capt. Brown is noticed in the Royal Gazette, December 18, 1779.

"X

82

yournal of the

Letter from T. W. Moore1 upon the Siege of Savannah.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 339, Dec. 29, 1779.]
Savannah, ^th Nov., 1779. * * " "Yr u wiH fee a full Account of
* what has been doing here ; and as I know you wifh to hear how Matters went, I will give you a concife Account of the moft material Circumftances.
" Count d'Eftaing's Fleet appeared off the Bar the Ath of September, faid to be 46 in all 25 .of them Ships of the Line ; and came to anchor the 9th, and foon be gan to land their Men and Guns, and were bufy in bringing every Force againft us till the 16th, when they appeared within 300 Yards of our Lines upwards of 4,000 French, and 3,000 Rebels. They fent in a Flag, and demanded the Town. General Prevoft defired twenty-four Hours to confider, in which Time we were reinforced
1 One of the Aids-de-Camp of Gen. Prevoft. The Letter was addreffed to his Wife.

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with 800 Men, under the Command of Colonel Maitland, from Carolina. This
<
made us about 2,000 ftrong, and fo very faucy as to refufe to let Monfieur and Jona than in.
" The Enemy began to encamp on the 22d to break Ground within 200 Yards of our Centre, and we kept amufing them with our great Guns, fo that they could fcarce work in the Day Time. On the 24th, a Sortie of the Light Infantry, with 150 Men, was made on the French Intrenchments to make them mew themfelves^fwhich they did on our Lads firing in upon them, and retreating back full {peed; and at that Inftant our Batteries kept a conftant Fire on the Enemy, and killed (from their own Account) upwards of 90 Men. We loft but one Officer and three Men. That fame Night, the French and Rebels got fighting with one another thro' Miftake, and 'tis faid upwards of 130 killed before they difcovered what they were about. From this Time to the 2d

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Journal of the

Day of October there was no firing from the Enemy, but we kept conftantly amufing them with Shot and Shell, by Day and Night, that did great Execution.
" This Morning, the 2d of October, as we fired our Morning Gun, they opened one of the moft tremendous Firings I ever heard; from 37 Pieces of Cannon moftly i8-Pounders, and 9 Mortars, in Front, and fixteen Pieces of Cannon from the River, on our Left moftly 24-Pounders. The Town was torn to Pieces, and nothing but Shrieks from Women and Children to be heard. Many poor Creatures were killed in trying to get in their Cellars, or hide themfelves under the Bluff of Savannah River. The Firing lafted for fome Hours, and a Flag was fent from us to Count d'Eftaing, to allow Time for the Women and Children to go to an Ifland out of Danger, 'Twas favagely refufed ; and that Night they began to fire again, and heave Carcafes and red Shot, which fet two Houfes on fire, and burnt them down; but fbme

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85

proper Perfons being appointed to extinguifh the Bombs, did it very effectually, and prevented any further Conflagration. From this Time till the gth, we kept firing by way of Amufement at each other; but on that Morning, juft before Day, our Lines were attacked from Right to Left, and it was not many Minutes before we Found the real Storm was to the Right, on a Redoubt called the Carolina Redoubt; and as I had the Honour of being, one of General PrevolVs Aids-de-Camp during the Siege, I was ordered to hafte to a Redoubt manned by the Militia, to hearten them up. This was about 200 Yards from the Scene of Action.
" I found thefe brave Tories full of Spirit, ready to pour upon the Enemy (who were firing on them at too great a Diftance to kill) in Cafe they came within their Shot. On being convinced the Attack was not a Feint, I pufhed on and arrived juft as Vic tory had declared in our Favor; and fuch a Sight I never faw before. The Ditch
M

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Journal of the

was filled with Dead, and in Front, for 50 Yards, the Field was covered^with Slain. Many hung dead and wounded on the Abattis; and for feme hundred Yards with out the Lines, the Plain was ftrewed with mangled Bodies, killed by our Grape and Langridge. 1
" I ported back to my General (who is as brave as Caefar), and gave him the plealing Account. Soon after a Flag came from d'Eftaing for Liberty to bury their Dead, and requefted their Wounded. 'Twas granted. Another Flag came from General Lincoln, who commanded the Rebels, for the fame Purpofe, which was alfb granted; and that whole Day was taken up in this Service. The Attack in earneft, or more properly fpeaking, the Storm, was with i,800 chofen Men, from every Regiment of French and Rebels, led by d'Eftaing, and many of the Nobility of France. Gen eral Mclntofh2 commanded the Rebel Col-
' Lar.grel, a kind of Chain-fhot, formed of Bolts, Nails, and Piccis of Iron fattened together. '
"-' General Lachlan Mclntofh.

Siege of Savannah.

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umn; but finding a very warm Reception, he prudently put to the Right-about, not without a great Lofs; as, from the Account of Deferters, the Rebels loft over 500. The French honeftly own they have loft in killed 800, and many wounded. D'Eftaing is wounded in two Places very badly. Pulafki was thought dangeroufly fo, now dead. Many French Officers of diftinction killed, as well as Rebels. I faw my old Friend, Charles Mott, a Major, among the Dead, but recollected no other quondam Acquaint ance.
"From this Time to the 2oth October, we amufed each other with Shot and Shells; and on that Morning we found the Enemy had deferted their Lines and gone off. Much Credit is due to this little Army, and I hope they will have it. Poor Pollard, my Affiftant7 was*killed the 4th of October by an i8-Pounder, my fine valuable Negro Carpenter the yth, and a beautiful Mare that coft me 20 Guineas; my Store of Wine, all broke by Shot and Shells, and

88

yournal of the

my Quarters torn to Pieces; but this is Neighbor's Fate, and the whole Town is in the fame State.
" Be it remembered that not more than 150 in the Redoubt, and 60 Grenadiers of the 6oth, who had mounted the Walls, de feated this combined Force of 1,800 chofen Men, who attacked the weakeft Part of our whole Lines; indeed, two Batteries, manned by the gallant Tars of old Eng land, kept a conftant Blaze to the Right and Left on the Enemy, and greatly con tributed to the Honour of the Day the glorious 9th of October.
" As this Account is not for the Prefs, I fhall fay nothing of Individuals, more than that everybody behaved well.
"Killed and Wounded on our Side dur ing the Siege, 163."
T. W. MOORE.

Siege of Savannah.

89

^
Summons of Count D'Eftaing.
i
BY AUTHORITY.
THE Following is a faithful Tranflation of the Compte d'Eftaing's SUMMONS, fent to Major General Prevoft, requiring a Surrender of the Town of Savannah to the' KING OF FRANCE.
" Count d'Eftaing fummons his Excel lency General Prevoft, to furrender himfelf to the Arms of his Majefty the King of France: He admonifhes him, that he will be perfonally anfwerable, for every Event and Misfortune attending a Defence, demonftrated abfolutely imporfible and ufelefs, from the Superiority of the Force which attacks him by Land and by Sea. He alfo warns him, that he will be nomin ally and perfonally anfwerable, hencefor ward ; for the burning previous to, or at the Hour of the Attack, of any Ships or Veffels of War, or Merchant Ships in the Savannah River, as well as of Magazines in the Town.

90

Journal of the

" The Situation of the MORNE DE i/Hos-

PITAL, in Grenada, the Strength of the

three Redoubts, which defended it, the

Difproportion betwixt the Number of the

French Troops now before Savannah, and

the inconliderable Detachment which took

Grenada by Affault, fhould be a Leflbn for

the Future. Humanity requires that Count

d'Eftaing fhould remind you of it. After

this he can have no Reproach to make to

himfelf. Lord McCartney had the good

Fortune to efcape in Perfon, on the fir ft

Onfet of Troops, forcing a Town Sword

in Hand, but having (hut up his valuable

Effects in a Port deemed impregnable by

all his Officers and Engineers, it was im-

poffible for Count d'Eftaing to be happy

enough to prevent the whole being pillaged.

"Signed

EsTAiNG." 1

1 The Continuation of this Correfpondence will be found in the Appendix.

Siege of Savannah.

91

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND ALLIED COMMANDERS, AT SAVAN NAH.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 358, March 4, 1780.]
Copy of a Letter from Major General Prruoft to Count d'Eftaing, fome Days previous to the Attack upon that Place, 'with his Anfiver thereto, and that of the Rebel General Lincoln.
Camp Savannah, 6th Oft., 1779. SIR,
I AM perfuaded your Excellency will do me the Juftice to believe, that I con ceive, in defending this Place, and the Army committed to my Charge, I fulfil what is due to Honor and Duty to my Prince. Sentiments of a different Kind, occafion the Liberty of now addreflmg myfelf to your Excellency; they are thofe of Hu manity. The Houfes of Savannah are oc cupied folely by Women and Children. Several of them ; have applied to me, that I might requeft the Favour you would allow

yournal of the
them to embark on board a Ship or Ships, and go down the River under the Protec tion of yours, until the Bufinefs is decided. If this Requifition you are fo good as to grant, my Wife and Children, with a few Servants, fhall be the Firft to profit by the Indulgence.
I have the Honour to be, with proper Refpect, Sir, Your Excellency's moft obedient and humble Servant. A. PREVOST.
His Excellency, Count d'Eftaing, &c., &c.
Reply to the Foregoing Letter.
Camp before Savannah, Oft. 6, 1779. SIR,
W E are perfuaded that your Excellency knows all that your Duty prefcribes ; perhaps your Zeal has already interfered with your Judgment.
The Count d'Eftaing, in his own Name, notified to you, that you would be perfon-

Siege of Savannah.

93

ally and alone relponfible for the Confequences of your Obftinacy. The Time which you informed him, in the Com mencement of the Siege, would be neceflary for the Arrangement of Articles including different Orders of Men in your Town, had no other Object than that of receiving Succor. Such Con duel:, Sir, is fufficient to forbid every Intercourfe be tween us, which might occafion the leaft Lofs of Time; befides, in the prefent Ap plication, latent Reafons might again exift; there are military ones, which in frequent Instances have prevented the Indulgence you requeft. It is with Regret we yield to the Aufterity of our Functions; and we deplore the Fate of thofe Perfons who will be Victims of your Conduct, and the Delufion which appears to prevail in your Mind. 1
1 This Rcfufal was probably occafioncd by the Faft, that General Prevoft had himfelf actually denied a fimilar Applica tion, made by General Mclntofh, in behalf of his Wife and Family, and fuch other Females as might choofe to avail themfelves of his Courtefy. Stevens's Hift. Georgia, ii, 214.
N

94

Journal of the

We are, with Refpec~t, Sir, Your Excel

lency's moft obedient Servants, B. LINCOLN,

His Excellency,

D'ESTAING.

Major General Prevoft.

Lift of French Forces at Savannah.

E following is handed about as a

Lift of the French Force employed

againft this Province on their late Expedi

tion :

Ships.

un=.

Ships.

Guns.

Languedoc, Tenant, Robufte, Caefar, Annibal, Fendant, Dauphin Royal, Zele, Magnifique, Vengeur, Guerrier, Triumph, -

90 Heaor,
80 Marfellois,
74 Vaillant, 74 Sphinx, 74 Recole, 74 Fantaique, 74 Reflechi, 74 Provence, 74 Artefien, 74 Sagitaire, 74 Fier, 74 Fortune,

74
74 64
64 64 64
64
64 64
50-
50 36

Siege of Savannah.

95

Ships.

Guns. ' Ships.

Guns.

Amazon, Iphygenie, Blance, Boudeufe, Chimere, Ellis, -

39 - 36
32 - 32
26 26

Truite, - - 26 Lively, - - - 20 Ceres, , - - 18 Fleur de la Mere, - 16 Alert, . - - 12 Barrington, - - 8

With feveral unarmed Sloops and Schooners

for debarking Troops.

Land Forces.
600 of the Regiment of Anhalt. 600 of the Regiment of Auxerrois. 500 of the Regiment of Dillon. 1,000 of the Regiment of the Cape. "760 Martimeo'^tilimteers. -------- 1,000 of the Cape Regiment of Color. 1,000 of the Corps of Marines. 400 Volunteers.

Total, 5,800

BURLESQUE LETTER, ATTRIBUTED TO A FRENCH OFFICER.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 343, Jan. 12, 1780.]
THE following was Yefterday brought to Town by a Gentleman from Rhode Ifland. The Original was found on board

"" 1

96

Journal of the

the Sloop from Georgia, which went into that Harbour after the Britifh had left it:

Extratf of a Letter from a French Officer off Tybee IJland, to his Friend in Charles Tovn, dated October 21, 1779.
" The Count d'Eftaing is the Wonder of the Age. Caefar and Alexander were nothing to him. He's a brave Fellow, and fcorns to fteal a Victory, or take an Advan tage of the Superiority of Numbers. In Savannah, there was not enough of them to give us a Breakfaft. We might have Itarved them in their Works, had not the Magnanimity of the Count interpofed in their Favour; and what I have often told you will now be confirmed without a Doubt, that the Englifh are a Parcel of rude, unpolifhed Savages. He, good Man, tho't it ungenerous, with an Army three Times their Number, to cut them to pieces, which he could eafily have done, and there fore led on to the Attack only a fmall De tachment of ours, with a Determination to

Siege of Savannah.

97

make them Prifoners of War, (this in Confidence he communicated to Count Dillon and myfelf the Evening before), but the rudenefs of thofe Sea-monfters pre vented his generous Intentions, having miftook Pity for Cowardice, they had the Infolence to fire on the Grand Monarque's Troops before our Maneuvre could be exe cuted. This of courfe was attended with fome Lofs, and as you will readily conceive, occafioned a little Confufan, the Americans in their Flight, having (by Miftake) fired on their great and good Allies. However as the Englifh, by this imprudent Conduct, have forfeited all Title to Mercy, they muft expect to pay dearly for their Prefumption, whenever we do them the Honou'r of paying them another Vifit, which I hope will be before long, when I would advife them to make their Wills before they dare look us in the Face again, as the Count has fworn to facrifice their whole Army to the Honour and Glory of the French Arms.

98

yournal of the

" We are on the Eve of failing again for the Weft Indies, where we fhall continue a few Months. The barren Sands of Georgia being beneath our Notice, having . indeed found by Experience that they by no Means agree with our Conftitutions.
" The Harmony, my dear Sir, which fubfifted between the Noble Count and Gen eral Lincoln, was aftonifhing; and if you confider the Satisfaction expreffed in the Conduct of their Officers, Valour of their Troops, and the Showers of Compliments rained down upon them for their In trepidity, you cannot I am fure, doubt but that the Advantage was_ on our Side, notizithftanding the Affair feems to drag after it fome Difagreeables. It is true we left fome of our Baggage behind, which was not worth bringing off, and which I make no Doubt, thefe poor half ftarved Devils, the Anglois Georgians, will be very glad to pick up, when they find f&e~~haeu?-left their Coajl clear"

Siege of Savannah.

99

[From the New Jerfey Gazette, December 8, 1/79-]
Charlefto'wn, OBober 20.
" r I ^HE following are fome of the Rea-*- fons that have been affigned, why
the Aflault on Savannah did not fucceed, viz:
" i ft. The Enemy having a much more numerous Garrifon than had been repre- , fented; being faid to confift of 1,700 ef fective Regulars, and a great Number of Sailors, Marines, Militia and armed Blacks.
" 2d. Their having the Advantage of the Prefence, Skill, and Activity of fo able and" indefatiguable an Officer as the Hon. Col. Maitland; who, while our Army was obliged to wait for the bringing up proper Cannon and Mortars from the Fleet, (which took up many Days, and was attended with inconceivable Difficulties, on Account of the Diftance of the Shipping, and a Series of tempeftuous Weather,) was Night and Day inceflantly engaged in adding to the Strength and Number of the Works; upon

ioo

Journal of the

which it is faid, he employed about 2,000

Negroes.

" 3d. The Enemy having by fome Means

or other, difcovered the Approach of our

Columns a full Hour before it was poffible

for them to reach their refpeclive Stations;

by which they had an Opportunity of pour

ing upon their AlTailants fuch a heavy and

incelTant Front, Flank, and CrofT-fire, as

no Troops whatever could have" luftained,

without being difordered, and occafloned

the Order for difcontinuing the Afiault,

even while the brave French Troops had

gained one of the Enemy's Works, and

ours, as brave Troops, another.

" Several Frigates having been difpatched

from the Count d'Eftaing's Fleet on differ

ent Routes, and feveral other very ftriking

Circumftances have given Rife to a Con

jecture that a ftrong combined Squadron

will foon appear in a Quarter where leaft

expedted. One of the Frigates, it is faid,

has been met fleering for Havanna, and

another going into Chefapeak Bay."---Royal

Gazette, Dec. 18. "'.:'

*

m.

*

---i.

Siege of Savannah.

101

[From the New Jerfey Gazette, dated November 24, 1779.]
"l^TOVEMBER 23. Several Ships of -L^ Force, belonging to Comte D'Ef-
taing's Fleet, arrived in Chefapeak Bay for the Purpofe of landing a few fick and wounded Men, and taking Provifions; this being accomplimed, they are immediately to proceed for their Station in the Weft Indies."--Royal Gazette, Dec. 4.

[From the Royal Gazette, December 18, 1779.]
T3 Y Accounts brought from Chefapeak, *^ we are informed there are in that Bay one French Ship of War of 74, and one of 64 Guns. They had landed about fix hundred Sick, Wounded, and other truly miferable Objects, rendered fuch by the direful Service before Savannah,-- their Numbers of Seamen fo much reduced that they could not hand more than one Sail at a Time, and that they had loft feventy Anchors and Cables when off the Coaft of
O

IO2

Journal of the

Georgia; that the Comte d'Eftaing was departed for Europe with ten Sail of the Line, feveral of which had loft their Rud ders, and were otherwife much mdifpofed. Several Sail of the Line had returned to the Weft Indies, unable to reach Chefapeak--the Place appointed for Rendez vous in Cafe of Separation; and it was reported General Scot, one of the Virginian Commanders in the Rebel Service, was killed at the Siege of Savannah. 1

Journal of the Voyage of His Majejly's Ship Experiment, Commanded by Sir James Wallace.-
[From Rivlngtor.'s Roya! Gazette, Xo. 370, April 15, 1780.]
* * * "OEPTEMBER 24, 1779, fpoke ^ a Cartel from New Providence
to Charleftown, with 65 Prifoners on board; Hilton Head, bearing W. N.W. The Car-
''This proved to'be an Error. 2 This OfHcer was the Son-in-Ja\v of Sir James Wright, the Britiili Governor of Georgia.

Siege of Savannah. 103
tel informed us of having feen 20 Sail under Hilton Head, and feemingly large Ships, and flood to the fouthward; quarter paft four, the Wind N.W., faw three large Ships in the S.W. Quarter; wore and made all the Sail we could from them, fleering N.E. At 5 found them in Chafe of us, and faw two Sail to the weftward bearing down upon us ; turned all Hands to Quarters. At eight, they hoifted French Colours; and the Sagitarius coming very clofe up with us, me brought to, and gave us two Broadfides. We then drew from her. But few of her Shot reached us. Got up a large fore Yard and Sail, and made all the Sail we could from them. The Sagi tarius wore, and made Sail after us again. At half paft eight got within half Gun Shot. We hoifted our Colors, and came to Action with her, during which Time all the other Ships being within Gun Shot of us, we ftruck our Colours, having neither Marts or Sails to command our Ship. The Ships coming up with us were two Seventy-

IC4

Journal of the

fours, two Frigates and the Sagitaire of 54

[From the Pcnnfylvania Journal, dated March i, 1780.]
Baltimore, February 22.
A CORRESPONDENT who arrived in -^ -*- Town laft Night from Virginia, hath been fo obliging as to communicate the following Intelligence:
" That an Exprefs from Charleftown (South Carolina), reached Peterfburgh 2 the 13th inftant, with a Difpatch from Gen. Lincoln to Gen. Scott, advifing him THAT THE ENEMY HAD RECEIVED A STRONG REINFORCEMENT AT SA VANNAH, fuppofed to be the Troops which left New York in December 3 laft,-- That in Confequence, Orders were immedi ately fent to Gen. Woodford, to haften the March of the Virginia Troops, the laft of
1 Sir James Wallace was fent to France for Exchange, there not being an Officer of equal Rank for Exchange in the Country.
2 On Appomattox Hirer, Virginia. 3 The z6tb of December.

Siege of Savannah.

105

whom left Frederickfburgh' on Friday laft, --That Gen. Hogan and his Brigade were met the 3d inft. ten Miles fouthward of Halifax, North Carolina,-- That the Pen dant* a French Man-of-War of the Line, left the Capes the 4th inftant."-- Royal Ga zette, March 8, 1780.

Burlefque upon an Appeal by Congrefs to the People of the United States.
[From Rivington's Royal Gi-zette, No. 333, Dec. 8, 1779.]
To THE CONGRESS, High and Mighty Fate Fixers.
I N your laft Addrefs to the^good People of America, you roundly afTerted, (ra ther too precipitately I guefs,) "the Inde pendence of America was fixed as Fate."3 The late Difafter in 'Georgia, and the Suc-
1 On Rappabanock River. Virginia. 2 O/~74 Guns, Mons. Vaupteuil Commander. 3 The Spirit, but not the Language of this Sentiment is em braced in the Addrefs of Congrefs to the People upon the Subjeft of the Finances and Public Debt, dated September 13, 1779-

106

Journal of the

cefs of the Britifh Admiral in the Weft Indies, make it neceflary again to addrefs the worthy Yeomen, leaft they {hould withhold the neceflary Supplies of Bread and Pork to your great and good Allies; but, as I prefume, with d'Eftaing and Lin coln, you are a little chagrined leaft the Opportunity (hould be loft; I have ven tured to indite the following, at the Service of your High MightineiTes, and am, till Fate brings on a Reftoration, Yours,
OLIVER.

The Addrefs of the Congrefs of the United States*to the Good People, the Farmers.
T~l 7HEX you confider the Bondage you * * groaned under, when fubjecl: to the
Britim Government; we flatter ourfelves you will not be fo loft to your own Feelings, and the facred Liberty of your Country, as to withhold the neceffary Supplies for our great, good and gallant Allies; who, "having fought and bled freely in your Country's Service," are now come amongft

Siege of Savannah. 107
you to eat fparingly and leifurely, of youj Br^ead and Pork. We allured you in our former Addrefs, " Your Independence was fixt as Fate," becaufe founded on your Virtue, and love of your Country. You have now a glorious Opportunity of putting it to the Tryal, and by furnifhing our good Allies with Provifions, {hewing your difinterefted Patriotifm. And as a further En couragement to the virtuous Yeomen of thefe States, We do Refofoe, That the Farm ers of thefe States mall, during the Space of fix Months, be exempt from all Taxes whatfoever, on the following Conditions:
That they immediately deliver to Com mittees appointed for that Purpofe, all their Wheat, Flour, Rye and Indian Corn, together with all the Beef and Pork, referving for themfelves and Families, all the Bran, Hufks and Oats, together with the Offal of the faid Beef and Pork ; and in order to obviate all Objections to the above reafonable Requeft, We further ordain, that the faid Farmers deliver all their Horfes to

io8

Journal of the

the Quarter Mailer General, for the Benefit of the States, who will furnifh Oats from the Continental Store, and thereby leave a fufficient Supply of Oat-meal for the faid Farmers and their Families: It will be expelled, as the faid Farmers will then have little Ufe for their Hay and Straw, they will fend it to the Quarter Matter General, with the faid Horfes, to be given gratis.
And Whereas, it appears to us inconfiftent, that any of our fellow Beings ihould remain in a State of Slavery, whilft we, for this three Years, laft paft, have enjoyed the great and glorious Privileges of Liberty;
We do Refohe, That all Negroes in Slavery, fhall after the firft Day of January next, be free from their Matters, and one half of them delivered over to his Moft Chriftian Majefty, the King of France's AmbafTador, to fatisfy fome urgent Claims, which we at this Time are not able to anfwer. The other half of the aforefaid

Siege of Savannah. 109
Negroes, to be hired out to fuch Matters, as a Committee appointed for that Purpofe fhall approve.
And Whereas, it appears to us, juft and neceffary that the faid Negroes, for the great and valuable Bleffings of Freedom, mould contribute to the public Expences of thefe States, we further ordain, that the whole of the faid Negroes' Wages be paid into the public Treafury.
And.to the GOOD PEOPLE of America in general we DECLARE :
That immediately on the Arrival of Count d'Eftaing at Georgia, we did pro claim a general Day of Thankfgiving, to be held in thefe States, on the ninth Day of December next, not doubting but a com plete Victory over all the Britifli Forces in Georgia was " fixt as Fate;" but it has pleafed the Lord, for our fparing the Tories, the Amalekites, and taking only their Sheep' and Oxen, their Negroes and Land, to fuffer us to be defeated, and his Moft
P

i ro

Journal of the

Chriftian Majefty's Exertions to refcue us from Slavery to prove abortive;
We therefore declare it^pur Will and Pleafure, that the faid ninth Day of De cember, be turned into a Day of Fatting and Humiliation, by all thofe who think it mofl proper at this Time.
Keverthelefs, anxious not" to deprefs the Spirits of the good People of thefe States, we further declare, that all thofe who chufe to make it a Day of Thankfgiving; may with Propriety, thank God it is no worfe.

f
Eulogy upon Colonel Maltland.
[Lieutenant Colonel John Maitland, of the 71 ft Regiment, after fharing the Labors of the Siege, fickened and died of a Fever* on the 25;}} of October, 1779, at Savannah, tiis Rank a; Lieutenant Colonel dated from October 14, 1778. A Let ter, dared November i3, 1779. and publifhcd in the Rcyal Giizstte, December i^th, 1779, fays:]
/-- ^HE late Colonel Maitland was one -^ of the moft active Officers at the
Commencement, and during the Progrefs

Siege of Savannah.

in

of the prefent War. His 'Zeal and Gal lantry were fufficient Incitements to lead him where Danger dignified and rendered a Poft honourable. Though he pofTefTed an eafy Fortune, had a Seat in the Houfe of Commons, and was of an advanced Age, yet he never availed himfelf of fuch pow erful Pretenfions, or exprefTed a Defire of retiring from the Field of Honour. Unfhaken Loyalty, genuine Patriotifm, un daunted Bravery, judicious Conduct, fteady Coolnefs, and unremitting Perfeverance, constituted his Character as an Officer. His Benevolence was ever exerted when Indigence prefented; he not only relieved, but fympathized with the DiftrefTed. To inform him of any Perfon that required charitable Exertion was an ample Recom mendation : His Difpofition was fo ex tremely amiable, that to know him was to admire him. His Addrefs was eafy and engaging; his Language ftrong, nervous and perfuafive. His Affability rendered him pleafing to every Obferver. He was

112

Journal of the

beloved by his Friends, reflected by his Acquaintances, and revered by every Offi cer and Dottier who had the Happinefs to be under his Command. His Country will feel the Lofs of fo accomplished a Chief; his Acquaintances long lament the Lofs of fb valuable a Friend; the Indigent fearch in vain for another fo eminently Benevolent; and the Soldiers, long accuftomed to his pleafing Command, lament his Death, and revere his Memory."

On the Death of Colonel Maltland.
BY MRS. D[ELAXCE]Y. [From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 373, April 26, 1780.]
ER Mait'and's Corfe, as Victor}- reclin'd, Rcflc&ing on the'Fate of human Kind ; Is this, (fhe cried;, the End of all thy Toils? What now await thy Laurels,-or thy Spoils ? Wurn with Fatigue, thou cam'ft thy Friends to fave, Saw them relicv'd -- then funk into the'Grave. Now Grief and Joy together mix their Cries, Savannah's fav'd -- yet gen'rous Maitland dies! In vain around, thy conqu'ring Soldiers weep, Thy Eyes are clof'd in Death's eternal Sleep; Yet while a grateful King and Country fighs,

Siege of Savannah.

113

O'er the lov'd Afties, Marbles proud, fhall rife;

Nay, e'en the Foe, rclcaf'd a\vhi]e from Fear,

Confcfs thy Virtues and bellow a Tear;

Own, that as Valour ftrung thy nervous Arm,

To gentle Pity did thy Bofom warm --

Oh! double Praife to make the Hau^htv bend,

OJ

'

. Yet make a vanquifti't Enemy a Friend ;

Thus Maitland falls -- but his undying Name

Shall fhine for ever in the Rolls of Fame.

The SPIRIT of Colonel MAITLAND to Mrs. D------y, on the foregoing Lines.



Elyftan Fields.

TT^ROM thofe bleft Realms where Joys eternal* reign, Accept my Thanks, D------y, for thy Strain.
Within a World, to Malice ever prone, Where generous Candor is but feldom known, Where Ccnfure's thoufand Tongues unceaflng wound, And private Virtue in the Foe is drown'd ; 'Twas kindly done a Soldier's Name to fave, Nor let it pcrifh with him in the Grave. What, tho' my Country to her Warriors gone, May grateful raife a monumental Stone, A few fhort Yeare their Courfcs fliall roll o'er, And the vain Structure will exift no more; But far beyond whate'er a Nation pays, My Soul eftec~ms the fair D------y's Praife. Where's now the haughty Heav'n afpiring Tomb, Rcar'd for her Casfar, by afflifled Rome? . FalPn beneath the ruthlcfs Hand of Age ! Yet Cajfar lives in Maro's facred Page!

ii

Journal of the

$o when in Rain lies the laurel'd Buft, And" Tombs and Statues moulder in the Duft, Thy Verfc, D ------y, fhall tranfmit to Fame Immortal as your own, your Mainland's Name.

~Epitapb on the Honourable Colonel Maitland.
[Tram Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 401, Aug. 2, 1780.]
TT7HEN Gallic Perfidy and Rebel Pride, Prefumed the Britim Lion to fubdue,
With rapid Wing, but not before untried, From Beaufort's Banks the gallant Maitland flew.
In Time to fave, he reached Savannah's Coaft, The Force of France, and perjured Foes defied;
Repelr'd, difperf d the formidable Hoft, Preferv'd a Country, bleffM the Day, and DIED.

Opening of Trade 'with Georgia.
[From Rivingron's Royal Gazette, No. 383, May 31, 1780.]
Dublin, March 14.
THIS Day at Noon, the Lord Mayor received two Letters from the Commiffioners of his Majefty's Revenue, of which the following are Copies:

Siege of Savannah. 115

My LORD.

I am commanded by the Commiffioners

of his Majefty's Revenue to tranfmit to

your Lordmip, for the Information of the

Merchants and Traders of this City, the

inclofed Copy of a Letter which the Board

have this Day received from John Robin-

fon, Efqr., Secretary to the Right Honour

able the Lords Commiffioners of his Ma

jesty's Treafury, from which it appears,

that the Province of Georgia is declared

to be in the Peace of his Majefty.

I have the Honour to be, my Lord, your

Lordfhip's moft humble Servant,

*

W. MOLESWORTHL

Cujlom Houfe, Dublin, March 14, 1780. Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor.

My LORDS and GENTLEMEN.
H AVING laid before the Lords Com miffioners of his Majefty's Treafury a Lettejfpern Lord George Germain, dated

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Journal of the

the nth of February laft, LljBifmitting the Copy of a Proclamation which has been publifhed in Georgia, declaring that Pro vince in the Peace of his Majefty, and defiring my Lord will give the neceflary Directions to the Officers of the Revenue throughout his Majefty's Dominions, to permit the fame Trade and Intercourfe -with Georgia as might lawfully be carried on before the Act of I5th of his prefent Majejiy, unlefs where Alterations have been made by fubfequent Acts. I am com manded by their Lordfhips to direct you to give the necelTary Orders to your Offi cers accordingly.
I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, your mofl humble Servant, JOHN ROBINSON.
Treafury Chambers, March 8, 1780. Com'rs Revenue, Ireland.

Siege of Savannah.

117

Letter with Critidfms upon the Siege of Savannah.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 428, Nov. 4, 1780.]
To WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Efq. 1
Metiri fe quemque fuo Modulo ac Pede. verum eft. HoR. 2
I HAVE the Pleafure, which I wifh al ways to enjoy, of being a Stranger to your Perfon. But who is a Stranger to your Character ? And what Character but yours could meanly ikulk under Security;to profane the moft honored Names -- to exult on the Fate of a patriot Martyr, 3 -- and, and with malignant Breath, attempt to blaft thofe Laurels, which will bloom when Livingfton is plunged among his kindred Fiends ?
Having had Patience enough to perufe an Addrefs in Loudon's New York Cajketf
1 An ardent Patriot, and Governor of New Jerfey. 2 It is a Truth, that every one ought to meafure himfelf by his own proper Foot and Standard.--Smart's Horace, Epiftle vii. 3 Major Andre. 4 Publiflicd at Fiftkill, N Y., at this Period.
Q

118

Journal of the

figned Z, and faid to come from you, I cannot refift the benevolent Impulfe, of warning thofe who may unwarily take the fame Rubbim, of the burning Embers it conceals. In attacking you with your own Weapon, the Pen, I do not undertake to convince you ; whoever points out the right Road, fhews the Way your Nature will not permit you to purfue. Tho' the envenomed Shafts of Malice cannot pene trate your Armor of confcious Vice, mall Malice bend her bow with Impunity? Forbid it Juftice ! Forbid it, ye generous Feelings of Humanity!
You meafure all great and good Actions by the Standard of a perverfe Mind, and Cannot look for their Source, but in a black and vifcious Heart, like Livingfton's. Ma levolence ever cafts a difmal Shade over the fineft Pictures. In the Language of your poifonous Tongue, you will defcribe Brutus as a mere Affafin,-- Caefar as going to the Senate on the Ides of March, with

Siege of Savannah.

119

a torpid MM,-- and Cato as dying with all his native Sullennefs.
Callous to all the amiable Senfation which dignify human Nature, is it poflible for you to conceive why wife Men have deemed the greateft of all Victories to be, a Victory over the Paflions ? When I re flect on a fignal Victory of this Kind, I feel myfelf compelled to turn from fo loathfome an Object as you are, and ex claim with Shakefpeare's Prince,
---------------- Thou haft been, As one, in fuffering all, haft fuffered nothing ; Give me the Man That is not Paffion's Slave, and I will wear him In my Heart's Core, ay, in my Heart of Hearts. 1
1 '' Since my dear Soul was Miftrefs of her Choice, And could of Men diftinguifh, her eleftion Hath feal'd thee for herfelf: for thou haft been As one, in fuffering all, that fuffers nothing; A Man, that Fortune's buffets and rewards Haft ta'en with equal 1'hanks: and bleff'd are thofe, Whofe Blood and Judgment are fb well co-mingled, That they are not a Pipe for Fortune's Finger To found what Stop fhe pleafe. Give me that Man That is not Paffion's Slave, and I will wear him In my Heart's Core, ay, in my Heart of Heart, As I do thee."-- Hamlet, Aft iii, Scene ii.

I2O

"Journal of the

It is ftrange fo fhrewd a Politician as Mr. Livingfton thinks himfelf, fhould exceed the Limits of his Abilities, in difplaying his deep Difcoveries to the gaping Throng. As you have turn'd Soldier only, in your Clofet, 'twas fomewhat bold to decide fo peremptorily on Deeds of War. Accord ingly, like an inexperienced General, you have expofed your weak Side to the Enemy, and rafhlv attacked him whefe he is invul-
>
nerable. Whether your Defcription of Charleftown 1 is your own OfFfpring, or the Tale of one of the trembling Garrifon, who view'd it thro' the falfe Medium of his Fears, it is equally immaterial; its Falfehoodis notorious to Thoufands of brave Witneffes, and its improbability obvious to every military Profeffor.
When the invincible Troops of your great and good Ally, fupported by your renowned Continental Army appeared before Savannah,

1 Alluding to the Capture of Ch^rlcfton, which occurred May 1*2, 1780.

Siege of Savannah.

121

it was judged imprudent to aj/ault an almoft

unfortified Poft, thinly garrifoned, very

moderately furnimed with Artillery, much

extended, and deftitute of a fuperior naval

Force. When a Body of Britifh Troops,

not proportionally fuperior to the Numbers

of the Garrifon, (hew themfelves before

Charleftown, Mr. Livingfton, at his warn

ing Dejk, votes for the Affault; by which

he, unawares, pays them the higheft Com

pliment. The Place was provided with a

Profufion of Artillery, and every kind of

military Stores. ;

l

No Place or Fortrefs can have greater

natural Advantages than Charleftown. To

wards Amley River, the only adjoining

Water at firft in the Power of the Afiail-

ant-s, there is one acceffible Landing. This

the befieged had cautioufly fortified in

Front, and could have protected by a heavy

interfering Fire from various Batteries.

On the Land Side, the Defences you ig-

nominioufly term Intrenchments, would have

been lefs formidable, had they been com-

122

yournal of the

pofed of more permanent Materials. Count d'Eftaing tired himfelf in trying to battre en brecbe again ft the Sand Banks of Savan nah. From the Days of Goliah to thofe of, Livingfton, there never were Troops who could not call a Halt at a wide Ditch nine Feet deep, two Rows of Pallifades in its Bottom, and flanked with Cannon. ~^"~
Thefe confumate Generals, the Count d'Eftaing and General Lincoln, after having long remained "before fuch a Place" as Savannah, "with open Trenches, and all the Apparel of a regular Siege," tried an ^.Jfault. They attempted to carry by Storm a fquare Redoubt, confifting limply of a Ditch and Sand Parapet, without a Pallifade or Fraife on it! The vaunting Grena diers de France SaT>re a la Main, took French Leave by a precipitate Flight, leaving Heaps of their martial Comrades in the Ditch, and immortal GLORY WITH THE GARRISON.
General Lincoln's Sanftum Saniorum,tht horn Work, clofed in the Gorge, and furniihed with the heavieft Cannon, juftly

Siege of Savannah.

123

claims the Title'of a Fort. Beyond the intricate Line, no Obstruction was omitted, and the fecond Ditch was enfiladed by the Cannon of the Outworks. 1 * * * * The Efplanade extended near a Mile; in which Space not a Houfe, Tree or even Poft was left (landing. The Flatnefs of the Ground made this Efplanade very advan tageous to the Befieged; while the impaffable Marmes from each River, forming a Kind of Ifthmus at every two hundred Yards, under the Line of five of their braveft Batteries, made it impoffible to ap proach, otherwife than by the judicious Refource adopted.
Whoever reflects on the aftonifhing Can nonade maintained for fo long a Time, by the Garrifon of Charlefton, and compares it with the Lofs of its Enemy, will beftow no great Share of Glory on the Former, for betraying Terror in a random and ill di rected Fire; furely no Soldier can withhold

1 The Subjcd here changes from Savannah to Charlefton.

journal of the
due Praife from the Latter, for having gained the glorious Prize at fo fmall an Expenfe. Little more Labour would have made a Variety of practicable Breaches in the Works, and CHARLESTON would have felt the Fury of incenfed Brittons. The frightened Garrifon knew it, and obtained what they folicited -- not Glory, but MER CY-- a celeftial Virtue, and of courfe un known to LIVINGSTON.
A SOLDIER.
Adiertifement'.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, Xo. 333, Dec. 8, 1779-]
T HE gallant and intrepid Conduct of the brave GARRISON at SAVAN NAH demanding the warmeft Acknow ledgment from every loyal Breaft, it is
nd for the Purpofe of Hevmg the Sick, Wounded, and Families of thofe who have fallen ; as well as to give fuch Affiftance to the Soldiers, as Circumftances will admit. A Subfcription for

Siege of Savannah. 125
thefe Purpofes is now refpeftfully offered; the Money to be difpofed of agreeable to the Opinion of a general Meeting of the Subfcribers, with the Approbation of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. In the Mean-time a Committee of lixteen is appointed to colled: Subfcriptions.
N. B. Donations will be received by Mr. Rivington and Mr. Gaine.
'Charleftown, S. Carolina, Oftober 26.
LAST Thurfday Evening, [Oftober 2ift, 1779,] the Hon. Major General Lin coln, commanding the Troops in the Southern Department, returned here from the fouthward.--Quoted in the Royal Gazette December 29, 1779.
R
\

APPENDIX.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN COUNT D'Es-
TAING AND GENERAL PREVOST. Continued from Page 94.
Reply of Major General Prevojl to the Sum mons of Count jyRftaing. Savannah, September 16, 1779.
Sir,
I AM juft now honored with your Excellency's Letter of this Date, containing a Summons for me to furrender this Town to the Arms of his Majefty the King of France; which I had juft delayed to anfwer till I had mown it to the King's civil Governor.
I hope your Excellency will have a better Opinion of me, and of Britifh Troops, than to think either will furrender on general Summons, without any fpecific Terms.
If you, Sir, have any to propofe, that may

128

Appendix.

with honour be accepted of by-'me, you can

mention them, both with regard to Civil and

Military; and I will then give my Anfwer.

In the mean Time I will promife, upon my

Honour, that nothing with my Confent or

Knowledge, mall be deftroved in either this

;j *

*

Town or River.

A. PREVOST.

His Excellency, Cotfnt D'Eftaing, Command

ing the French Forces, &c. &c.

Letter from Count jyJLJlamg to General

Prevojt.
i'
Camp before Savannah, Seft. i6tby 1779.

Sir,

I HAVE juft received your Excellency's An fwer to the Letter J had the Honour of

writing to you this Morning. You are fenfible

that it is the Fart of the Befieged to propofe

fuch Terms as they may defire; and you cannot

doubt of the Satisfaction I mail have in con-

fen ting to thofe which I can accept confidently

with mv dutv.

4

*

I am informed that you continue intrenching

yot'.rfelf. It is a Matter of very little Impor-

Appendix.

129

tance to me; however for Form's fake, I muft defire that you will defift during our Confer

ences. The different Columns which I had ordered
to ftop, will continue their March, but without approaching your Pofts, or reconnoitering your

Situation. I have the Honour to be, with Refpect, Sir, your Excellency's moft humble and moft obedient Servant, ESTAING.

His Excellency, General Prevoft, Major Gene

ral in the Service of his Britannic Majefty,

and Commander in Chief at Savannah, in

Georgia.

.

P. S. I appraife your Excellency that I have not been able to refufe the Army of the United States, uniting itfelf with that of the King.
The Junction will probably be effected this Day. If I have not an Anfwer therefore im mediately, you muft confer in future with Gene
ral Lincoln and me.

130

Appendix.

Reply of General Pre^ojl.
Savannah, September 16, 1779. Sir,
I AM honored with your Excellency's Letter in reply to mine of this Day. The Bufinefs we have had in Hand being of importance, there being various Interefts to difcufs, a juft Time is abfolutely necefTary to deliberate. I am therefore to propofe that a CefTation of Hoftilities (hall take place for twenty-four Hours from this Date; and to requeft that your Excellency will order your Columns to fall back to a greater Diftance, and out of Sight of our Works, or I mail think myfelf under the Neceflhy to direct their being fired upon. If they did not reconnoitre any Thing this Afternoon, they were fure within the Diftance.
I have the Honour to be, &c., A. PREVOST.
His Excellency Count D'Eftaing, &c., &c.

Appendix.

131

Letter from Count D'Eftaing to General .. Prevoft.
Camp before Savannah, Sept. 16, 1779. Sir,
I CONSENT to the Truce you afk. I (hall continue till the Signal for Retreat To morrow Night, the I7th, which will ferve alfo to announce the Recommencement of Hoftilities. It is unneceflary to obferve to your Ex cellency, that this Sufpenfion of Arms is entirely in your Favour, fince I cannot be certain that you will not make ufe of it to fortify yourfelf, at the fame Time that the Propofitions you {hall make may be inadmiflible.
I muft obferve to you alfo, how important it is, that you fhould be fully aware of your own Situation as well as that of the Troops under your Command. " Be allured that I am tho roughly acquainted with it. Your Knowledge in military Affairs will not fuffer you to be ignorant, that a due Examination of that Circumftance always precedes the March of the Col umns ; and that this Preliminary is not carried into Execution by the mere Show of Troops.
I have ordered them to withdraw before Night comes on, to prevent any Caufe of Com-

132

Appendix.

plaint on your Part. I underftand that my Civility in this Refpeft has been the Occalion, that the Chevalier de Chambis, a Lieutenant in the Navy* ,* has been made a Prifoner of War.
I propofe fending out fome fmall advanced Pofts to-morrow Morning. They will place them/elves in fuch a Situation as to have in View the four Entrances into the Wood in order to prevent a fimilar Miftake in Future. I do not know whether two Columns, com manded by the 'Vifcount de Noailles and the Count de Dillon, 1 have mown too much Ardour,
1 ' Count Arthur Di'lon was the Son of Heniy, the Eleventh Vifcount Di'ibn. in the Peerage of Ireland. His Father was a Colonel in the French Service. His Grandfather, Arthur, went into the Army of France, and commanded an Irim Regiment after his Father. * * * The Grandfather of Count Dillon was, in 1705, made Marfhal of the Camp, and Governor of Toulon ; and fubfequer.tly a Lieutenant-Gcncral of France. Diilon's Regiment was commanded, after the Death of Marfhal Dillon, by his Son James, a Knight of Malta; and when he fell at the Head of this Regiment at Fonrenoy, his Brother Ed ward fucceeded to his Command; and it was this Regiment which the young Count Arthur led into the Action at the Siege of Savannah. He was involved in the Troubles of the French Revolution, and fufFsred under the Guillotine in 1794. His Daughter Fanny was married to Count Bertrand, and was diftinguifhed by her Fidelity to the Emperor, during" his long Imprifonmcm at St. Helena."--Stevens'i Hift. of Georgia, 5i, 226.

Appendix.

X 33

or whether your Cannoniers have not paid a proper Refpect to the Truce fubfifting between us; but this I know, that what has happened this Night is a Proof that Matters will foon come to a Decifion between us one Way or another.
I have the Honour to be, &c., ESTAING.
His Excellency, General Prevoft, Major Gene ral in the Service of his Britannic Majefty, and Commander in Chief at Savannah, in Georgia.

Reply to the foregoing Letter.
Savannah, September 17, 1779. Sir,
I N Anfwer to the Letter of your Excellency, which I had the Honour to receive about twelve laft Night, I am to acquaint you, that having laid the whole Correfpondence before the King's civil Governor, and the military Of ficers of Rank, aflembled in Council of War, the unanimous Determination has been that though we cannot look upon our Poft as abfolutely impregnable, yet that it may and ought
s

134

Appendix.

to be defended ; therefore, the evening Gun to

be fired this Evening at an Hour before Sun

down, fhalf be the Signal for recommencing

Hoftilities, agreeable to vour Excellency's Pro-

JO

^

*

pofal.

I have the Honour to be, &c.,

[White's Hiff. Georgia, P. 349.]

A. PREVOST.

Englijh Account of the Capture of Savannah.
[From the London Gazette, December 21, 1779.]
Admiralty Office, December 21.
C APTAIN Chriftian, 'of his Majefty's armed Ship, the Vigilant, arrived here early this Morning, with a Letter from Captain Henry, 1 of his Majefty's Ship Fowey, to Mr. Stephens, of which the following is an Extract:
Savannah River, Georgia, Nov. 8, 1779. I beg you will be pleafed to communicate to the Right Honourable my Lords Commiflion-
1 Captain John Henry was born in Anglefca, Sept. 28, 1731, entered the Navy in 1744, was a Lieutenant in 1762, and be came Port Captain Nov. 22, I"""- He became Rear Admiral julv 4, 1794.'Vice Admiral Feb. 14, 1799, and Admiral April 2",, 1804.--Marfhali's Royal Nafnl Biography, i, 64.

Appendix.

135

ers of the Admiralty the following important ' Particulars:
That the French Fleet, under the Count D'Eftaing, confiding of twenty Sail of the Line, two of fifty Guns, and eleven Frigates, arrived on this Coaft the ift of September paft, from Cape Frar^ois, having on board a large Body of Troops, purpofely for the Reduction of this Province. They failed from the Cape on the 2Oth of Auguft, and came through the windward Paflage, when they difpatched two Ships of the Line and three Frigates to Charleftown, to an nounce their coming, and prepare the rebel Force by Sea and Land to join the Count D'Eftaing. Thefe two Ships of the Line and Frigates, were feen from Tybee, the jd of Sep tember, when Lieutenant Lock, of the Rqfe, was fent to reconnoitre them, and brought Word they were French.
Lieutenant Whitworth, who commands the Keppel armed Brig, was ordered to get ready a faft failing Tender of his own, to proceed to New York with this Intelligence, and failed with his Difpatches on the 6th, but was chafed in again by feven Sail. On the yth, at Night, he made another Attempt, wherein there is every Reafon to hope he was fuccefsful.

136

Appendix.

On the 8th, fortv-one Sail were difcovered to

*

4

the Southward of Tybee, plying to the Wind

ward. The Wind being Northerly, as it had

been for fome Days paft, drove them to the

Southward of this Port.

Major General Prevoft, at Savannah, was

immediately acquainted with their Appearance,

who

went

to

work

with

everv >

Exertion

to

increafe the Fortifications of the Town. Def-

patches were fent to the Hon. Colonel Mait-

land, who was pofted with Part of the Army

on Port Royal Ifland, and to Captain Chriftian,

of his Majefty's Ship Vigilant, to repair to Sa

vannah as foon as poffible, with the Troops,

Ships and Galleys there.

The Fowey, Rofe, Keppel, armed Brig, and

Germain, provincial armed Ship, were fo placed

that if the French Ships came in fuperior, we

might run up the River; and the leading

Marks for the Bar were cut down.

On the 9th, the whole French Fleet anchored

off the Bar, and next Day four Frigates weighed

, and came to Tybee Anchorage. It was deter

mined on their Approach, to run up the River

with the King's Ships, and join our Force with

the General for the Defence of the Town. At

this Time the French were fending Troops

-r

Appendix.

137

from their Ships, which were firft put into' fn>all Crafts from Charleftown, and run into Ofabaw Inlet; from whence they were landed in Launches at Bowley, thirteen Miles from Sa vannah, under Cover of four Galleys; and their Frigates were preparing to advance up the River.
From the loth to the ijth we were bufy fend ing to Town, Part of the'Fowey and Rqfes Guns and Ammunition, in Veflels fent by the General for that Purpofe. On the ijth the Foivey and Rofe, being much lightened, failed over the Mud Flat to Five-Fathom-Hole; three Miles below the Town3 from whence was fent up the Remainder of the Guns and Ammunition.
The Comet Galley and Keppel armed Brig were directed to place themfelves below the Mud Flat, fo as to cover the Paffage of Colonel Maitland, with the King's Troops from Port Royal, through Wall's Cut, from whom we had not heard fince the Communication by Boats being cut off.
The 14th and I5th the Seamen were employed in landing the Cannon and Ammunition of the Ships from the fmall VefTels; and this having been done, the Seamen were appointed to the

138

Appendix.

different Batteries, and the Marines incorporated

with the Grenadiers of the 6oth Regiment.

On the i6th, the Count D'Eftaing fummoned

the General to furrender the Town to the Arms

of his moft Chriftian .Majefty; 1 at the fame

Time faying, his Troops were the fame who fo

recently ftormed and conquered the Grenadas;

that their Courage and prefent Ardour were fo

great, that any Works we fhould raife, or any

Oppofition we could make, would be.of no

Import. Not intimidated with this Language,

the General called a Meeting of Field and Sea

Officers, when it was refolved to take twenty-

3

4

four Hours to confider. In that Time the

Troops from Beaufort arrived in Boats from

the Vigilant and Tranfports (in Callibogie

Sound), through Wall's Cut, under the Di

rection of Lieutenant Goldenfborough of the

Vigilant- and now the Count D'Eftaing had

his final Anfwer, " that we were unanimoufly

determined to defend the Town."

1 This Summons, in the Name of D'Eftaing alone, for a Sur render to the Arms of France, led Gen. Lincoln, upon his arrival, to remonftrate to the Count, as the Americans were acting in cor.'unftion with him. The Matter was foon fettled, and h was agreed that all Negotiations fhoiild in Future be con ducted jointly with him.--Bowen's Lincoln, 302.

Appendix.

J 39

The General, ever attentive to increafe the Defences of the Town, with Captain Moncrief, our principal Engineer, was now indefatigably, Night and Day, raifing new Works and Batte ries, which aftonimed our Enemies; and every Officer, Soldier and Sailor worked with the utmoft Cheerfulnefs; and I have the Pleafure to inform their Lordfhips, the General has been pleafed to exprefs his particular Satisfaction with the Services of the Officers of the King's Ships and Tranfports during the whole Siege.
It being apprehended that the Enemy's Ships might come too near the Town, and annoy the Rear of our Lines, it was judged expedient to fink a Number of VefTels to ftop the Paflage. His Majefty's Ship Rqfe, making at this Time feventeen Inches of Water an Hour, after (heathing her as low as we could at Cockfpur, her Bottom Worm-eaten quite through, and her Stern rotten, as appears by a Survey of Shipwrights held on her a fhort Time before, wherein it was declared me could not fwim over two Months, her Guns, Men, and Ammunition being on Shore, I thought her the moft eligible to Sink, as her Weight would keep her acrofs the Channel, when lighter Veflels could not,

140

Appendix.

owing to the Rapidity of the Current, and

hard fandy Bottom, which prevented them from

ftfc^ing faft when they were funk. The Savan-

nab\ armed Ship, purchafed into the King's

Service fome Time before by Commodore Sir

Jamjes Wallace, was fcuttled and funk alfo ; four i
Trahfports were funk befides, which blocked up

the 'phannel; feveral fmaller Veflels were funk

above the Town, and a Boom laid acrofs the

River, to prevent the Enemy fending down fire

Rafts among our Shipping, or landing Troops

in our Rear.

_

f^ff

The Fowey, Keppel Brig, Comet Galley, and

Germain provincial armed Ship, were got to

Town previous to finking the Veflels ; the

Germain having her Guns in, was placed off

Yamacraw to flank our Lines. 1

Three French Frigates were now advanced

up the River to the Mud Flat; one of them

having n-Pounders, with two Rebel Galleys,

carrying two i8-Pounders in their Prows, an

chored in Five-Fathom-Hole; from whence

1 The Germain, the only VeiTel that was not difmantled, was anchored above the Town, and commanded every Approach through the low Grounds bordering the Mufgrove Creek.--Stevcns's Hijl. Georgia, ii, 215.

Appendix.

141

the Frigate failed into the Back River, with the intent to cannonade the Rear of our Lines. They threw a great Number of Shot, which, being at their utmoft Range, did no Execution. The Galleys, advancing nearer, did fome Damage to the Houfes. A few Shot now and then from the River Battery made them keep a refpectable Diftance.
The French having now made regular Ap proaches, and finifhed their Batteries of Mor tars and Cannon, near enough to our Works, on the jd of October, at Midnight, opened their Bomb Battery of nine large Mortars. At Daybreak they alfo opened with thirty-feven Pieces of heavy Cannon, landed from their Fleet, and fired on our Lines and Batteries with great Fury.
This lafted Day and Night till the Morning of the 9th, .when finding little Notice taken of their Shot and Shells, at Daybreak ftormed with their whole Force, the Count D'Eftaing at their Head.
This Attempt proved moft fatal to them, for they met'with fo very fevere a Repulfe from only three hundred Men, affifted by the Grapefhot from the Batteries, that from this Day
T

14.2

Appendix.

they worked with indefatiguable Labour to carry off their Cannon and Mortars, and defcended to a Dec3ree of Civility* we had hitherto been Strangers to. Their Lofs was very great; moft of their beft Officers and Soldiers being killed or wounded, the Count D'Eftaing among the Latter.
On the Night of the lyth, the French en tirely quitted their Works, retreated to their Boats, and embarked under Cover of their Gallev s. General Lincoln,* with the Rebel Army, retreated up the Country with the greateft Precipitation, burning every Bridge be hind them :7 and we are told their Armv^ is totally difperfed.
The French have been favoured bv the Wea
ther to their utmoft Wimes the whole Time of their being on this Coaft; their great Ships lying constantly at Anchor in fourteen Fathoms, and the fmall Craft from Charleftown employed watering them from this River. The only Ac cident we know they met with, was lofing one Boat with one hundred Men.
When the French Troops were all embarked, an Officer was fent on Shore to exchange Prifoners. This being finifhed, they loft no

Appendix.

143

Time in venturing down the River with their

Frigates and Galleys to Tybee.

' The Vigilant, with the Scourge and Vindiffii-e

Galleys, the Snake, half Galley, and three Tranf-

ports, were obliged to remain at Callibogie the

whole Siege, where Captain Chriftian, of the

Vigilant^ fecured them in fo ftrong a Pofition,

and erected a Battery on Shore to protect them,

that the French and Rebels thought it moft

prudent to let them alone. They are now all

at Tybee, the French Fleet having left this

Coaft the 26th of October; and their Frigates

left this River the ad of November.

On the 4th of November the Myrtle, Navy

Victualler, who was taken by the French, and

turned into a watering Veflel, being blown out

of this River a few Davs before thev left it,

*

*

*

returned to Tybee with a Rebel Gafley, expect

ing to find their Friends. They both fell into

our Hands. The Galley is called ti&Rutledge.,

carries two i8-Pounders in her Prow, and four

Sixes in her Waift. I have named her the Viper,

and appointed Mr. John Steel, Mailer's Mate

of the Rofe, to command herewith an Eftablifh-

ment fimilar to other Galleys, until the Admi

ral's Pleafure is known. Mr. Steel's Behaviour

1

14.4.

Appendix.

at the Battery, on the Spot where the French and Rebels ftormed our Line, deferves particular
Notice. His Majefty's Ship Ariel of twenty-four Guns,
on a Cruife from Charleftown (when the French came on this Coaft), was taken on the nth of September, after a gallant Refiftance, by the French Frigate Amazon, of thirty-fix Guns. Kis Majefty's Ship Experiment having loft all her Mafts and Bowfprit in a Gale of Wind on her Paflage from New York to Savannah, fell into the Middle of the French Fleet off this Bar, and was taken on the 24th of September, together with the Myrtle, Navy Victualler, and Champion, Store Ship. -

LIST OF THE FRENCH FLEET ON THIS COAST UNDER COUNT D'ESTAING.

Flrfl Divifeon-- Mr. Bougainville.

Le Guerriere, - - 74
Le Magnifique, - 74
Le Caefar, - - 74 Le Vengeur, - 74

Le Province, - - 64
Le Marfeilles, - 64
Le Fantafque, - 64

Second Divifton-- Comte D'Eftaing.

Le Languedoc, ' - 74 Le Vaillant, - - 74

Le Robufte, - 74
Le Zele, - - 74 Le Annibal, - 74

Le Artizien, - 64
Le Sagitaire, - - 54

Appendix.

14.5

Third Divijion.

Le Tenant, - - 80

Le Diademe, - 74

Le He&or,

. - 74

Le Dauphine Royal, 70

Le Royal, - - 70

Le Pendant, - - 74 Le Refleche, - 64 Le Sphynx, - - 64 Le Roderique, Store-
&ip - - oo

Frigates.

Le Fortune, - - 38 La Chimere, - - 36

L'Amazon, - 36 L'lphigene, - - 36 La Blanche, - 36

La Bordeaux, - 36

La Bricoli, - - 36

La Lys,

18

Experiment, Ceres,

Engtijh Ships Taken.

- 50 18

Lively, - - - 20 Alert Cutter, - 14

The Land Forces on board this Fleet were the Irifli Brigade (Dillon), the Regiment of Foix, the Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and a Picquet of the Regiments of Armagnac, Agenois, Bram, and Royal Roufillon, and of the Colony Troops of Guadaloupe, Martinique, Cape Fran9ois, and Port au Prince, with Ma rines of the Ships, amounted to about five Thoufand five Hundred Men. They landed at firft four Thoufand, and at different Land ings about three Hundred more (the Rebels had three Thoufand), befides fome Hundreds

146

Appendix.

of free Blacks and Mulattoes, taken on board

in the Weft Indies.

This Fleet is very badlv manned, very fickly,

4

*

'

.>

4*

and the Ships in very bad Condition,--fhort of

Anchors and Cables, haying no running Rig

ging to reel but what came out of the Champion

Store Ship, from New York, and intended for

this Port. We have every Reafon to believe ^
this Expedition coft them two Thoufand Men.

RETURN*-OF SEAMEN* AND MARINES KILLED AND WOUNDED DURING THE SlEGE.
FbTzey--One Marine killed, one wounded.

RETURN OF THE OFFICERS OF THE AMERICAN FORCES WHO WERE KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE ACTION
AT SAVANNAH, OCT. 9, 1779.

Killed.

Second Regiment--Major Wife, Lieutenant

Bailey.

.

_ _..-

General Williamfon's Brigade--Captain Be-

raud. Charleftown Regiment--Captain Shepherd.

South Carolina Artillery -- Captain Lieuten

ant Donnom. Major Jones, Aid to General Mclntom.

Appendix.

J 47

Wounded. Cavalry--Brigadier-General Count Pulafki, Captain Bendelo, Captain Giles. Second Regiment--Captain Roux, Lieuten ants Gray and Petre. Third Regiment--Captain Tanar, Lieuten ants Gafton and Deflaufure. Sixth Regiment--Captain Bowie. Virginia Levies--Lieutenants Parker and Walker. Light Infantry -- Capt. Smith, of the Third; Captains Warren and Hogin, of the Fifth; Lieutenant Vleland, of the Second ; Lieuten ant Parfons of the Fifth. South Carolina Militia--Capt. Davis, Lieu tenants Bruneau, Wilkie and Wardel.

.-

>*

Engliffj Return of Cafualties in the different

Corps during the Siege.'

[From White's Hillory of Georgia, P. 352.]

O NE Captain, 2 Lieutenants, I Enfign, 4 Sergeants, 32 Rank and File, killed; 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 Sergants, i Drum mer, 56 Rank and File, wounded ; 2 Drummers, 2 Rank and File, miffing; 5 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 41 Rank and File Deferted.

14.8

Appendix.

Names of Officers Killed.
Lieutenant Henry McPherfon, ift Battalion yift, 24th September.
Lieutenant Tawfe, 1 of ditto, and CaptainLieutenant of Dragoons, pth of O&ober.
Captain Simpfon, Georgia Loyalift, 8th of Oftober.
Enfign Pollard, ad Battalion, De Lancey's, 4th of ditto.
. Names of Officers Killed.
Captain Cozens, jd Battalion New Jerfey Volunteers, 24th of September.
Lieutenant Smollet Campbell, 2d Battalion 71ft, and Lieutenant of Dragoons, 9th of Oc tober.
Captain Henry, of the South Carolina Royalifts, pth of Oftober.
A. PREVOST, M. G. Camp Savannah, Qft. 18, 1779.
*,Thomas Tawfe; Date'of Rank as Lieutenant, December 6, 1775-

Appendix.

149

Letter from General Lincoln to Congrefs. " Cbarlefton, Oflober 22, 1779.
Sir, 4TN my Laft, of the 5th ult., I had the Honor A of informing Congrefs that Count d'Eftaing was arrived off Savannah. 1
-1 SECRET PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS. September 26, 1779.-- " The Prefident laid before Congrefs two Letters which he had received from Mr. Gerard, written to him by J. Plombard, and dated Charleston, South Carolina, one the 5th and the other the 8th September inflant, which were read, giving Information of the Arrival of Count d'Eftaing at Georgia: Whereupon,
" Refolded, That Copies of the Letters from Mr. Plombard to Mr. Gerard, of the Jth and 8th of September, inftant, com municated by Mr. Gerard to the Prefident, be fcnt to General Wafhington. That the General be alfo informed of the Inten tion of our Ally, that the Armament under Count d'Eftaing {hall operate againft the Enemy in thcfe United States; and that General Wafhington be authorized and dircded to concert and execute fuch Plans of Cooperation with the Miniftcr of France, or the Count, as he may think Proper.
" Whereas, Congrefs have received authentick Information of the Arrival of Count d'Eftaing with a powerful Fleet to coope rate with thefe United Stares; and whereas, by the vigorous Exertions of the faid States, the allied Forces may be enabled to ftrike an important Blow againft the Enemy-,.-
" ReJ'eked, That it be moft carneftly recommended to the feveral States to furnifh General Wafhington with fuch Aid as he
V

150

Appendix.

Orders were immediately given for aflembling the Troops. They reached Zubly's Ferry and its Vicinity on the nth, and fome were thrown over. The I2th and ijth were fpent in crofting the Troops and Baggage, which was effected, though not without great Fatigue, from the Want of Boats, 1 and badnefs of the Roads through a deep Swamp of near three Miles, in which are many large Creeks. The Bridges over them the Enemy had broken down. We encamped upon the Heights of Ebenezer, twenty-three Miles from Savannah, and were joined by Troops from Augufta under General

tnav rccuire of them refncftiveK- as well bv Detachments from

T,

A

*

**

>

their Militia as by providing that the allied Armaments in the

United Srates be fpcedily and effectually furnifhcd with ample

Supplies of Bread and other Provifions; and that the moft

vigorous Exertions be made for that Purpofe."-- Secret Journals

sfCcngrejj, \, 127..

' The "on!y Conveniences for eroding were two Canoes, one

Of which uou!d hold three, and the other fifteen Men, and an

ijjnflnilhed Flat. Lincoln ordered this to be completed, and a

Raft to be made of the Boards and Timber of the Buildings.

The next Day, the Army began to crofs, and the Raft fank on

fes firft Trial; but another Canoe was obtained, and with the

aid of this and of the now rinifhed Flat, moft of the Troops

were tranfcorted to the Georgia Side before Night.--Bowen's

Life- 5/~Z.'>.Y5//.r, 301.

Appendix.

151

Mclntofh. The I4th, not being able to afcertain whether the Count had yet landed his Troops, though feveral Exprefles had been fent for that Purpofe, we remained encamped. On the ifth, being advifed that the Count had embarked Part of his Troops, that he would that Night take Poft nine Miles from Savan nah, we moved, and encamped at Cherokee Hill, nine Miles from the Town. The i6th, we formed a Junction before Savannah. After reconnoitering the Enemy's Works, and rinding the Town well covered, and knowing their De termination to defend it, it was deemed neceflary to make fome Approaches, and try the Effects of Artillery 1 From the i8th to the 2jd, we
1 " While the Siege was going on, detached Parties of the Americans obtained foinc Succefs againft a fe\v Troops of the Enemv, who had not fuccecdcd in getting into, Savannah before the Town was completely inverted. On the I9th, Pulafki was fent, with a Body of Cavalry/ againft a Party of the Enemy who -had landed on Ogeechee River. He returned the next Day, having made a Number of Prisoners, and driven the Others on board their Vcfiels. On the ift of October, Colonel [John] White, of the Georgia Line, fuccceded, by an Extraor dinary Stratagem, in capturing the Remainder of what was probably the fame Partv, Vcflels and all, as they had not dared to leave the River, through Fear of the French Fleet. White

I5 2

Appendix.

were employed in landing and getting up the Ordnance and Stores : a Work of Difficulty,
rf
from the Want of proper Wheels to tranfport them, the Cannon being on Ship Carnages. On the Evening of the 2jd, Ground was broken ; and on the 5th Inftant, the Batteries of thirty-three Pieces of Cannon and nine Mor-
^
tars were opened on the Enemy, and continued with Intervals until the 8th, without the wifhed
had with him only Captain Etholm, three Soldiers, and his Servant; but, knowing how much the Britifh were alarmed by their Pofition, not being able to put to Sea, and having the. Army of the Allies between them and Savannah, he conceived the Defign of frighting them into a Surrender. He kindled a Number of Fires on the Shore, ranged in the Manner of a Camp, rode about, giving Orders in fb loud a Voice as to be heard on board the Veflels, and then, going out to the Enemy with, a Flag of Truce, fummoned them to furrender. Captain French, of Delancev's Battalion, who commanded the Party, believed that a large American Force was on Shore, and actually furrendered his Detachment, and one hundred and thirty Hand of Arms, the Crews of the Veffbls, and the five Vcflels themfelves. four of which were armed, the largeft mounting fourteen Guns. Articles of Capitulation were drawn up and figned by him. White pretended that it was difficult to reftrain the Animofiiy and the plundering Propenfity of his Men, and therefore ordered ;he whole Band to go on Shore, without their Arms, and follow three Guides, whom he would fend to them, by whom

Appendix.

153

for Effect. The Period having long fince elapfed which the Count had afligned for this Expedi tion, and the Engineers informing him that much more Time muft be fpent, if he expected to reduce the Garrifon by regular Approaches, and his longer Stay being impoflible, Matters were reduced to the Alternative of railing the Siege immediately, and giving up all Thoughts of Conqueft, or attempting the Garrifon by

they would be conducted to Lincoln's Army, while his Party would follow in their Rear. They readily aflented; for as moft of them were Tories, they had a great Dread of their Coun trymen who afted as Militia, fince great Cruelties were often practiced on the two Parties. White fent his three Soldiers to guide them, and, remaining behind with Captain Etholm, col-, lefted a few Militia in the Neighborhood, with whom he overtook his Prifoners, and brought them fafcly into Camp.
"Colonel Lee gives this Story in his Hillory of the War, and adds: 'The Affair approaches too near the Marvellous to have been admitted into thefe Memoirs, had it not been uni formly afTerted, as uniformly accredited, and never contradicted.' There is no Doubt of its Truth; as it is related in Lincoln's private Manufcript Journal of the Siege", is mentioned in his Letter to Congrefs, and, among his Papers, I have found Colonel White's Letter to him, defcribing the Affair, and the original Articles of Capitulation, figned by 'Thomas French, Captain of De Lanccy's Firft Battalion.' "--Bowen's Life of Lincoln, P. 35-

r 54

Appendix.

Aflault.-1 The Latter was agreed on ; and on the

Morning of the pth the Attack was made; and

it proved unfuccefsful, and we were repulfed

with fome Lofs. When the Count firft arrived,

he informed us that he would remain on Shore

eight Days only. He had fpent four Times

that Number; his Departure, therefore, became

indifpenfable; and to reembark his Ordnance

and Stores claimed his next Attention. This

was completed on the loth. The fame Evening,

having previously fent off our Sick, Wounded,

and heavy Baggage, the American Troops left

the
:

Ground, *

reached

Zublv's

Ferrv -

the

next

Morning, recroflfed, and encamped that Night

in Carolina. 2

J "It was determined to make an Aflault. This Meafurc was forced or, D'Eftaing bv his marine Officers, who had remonftrated againft his continuing to rifk fo valuable a Fleet in its prefer.: unrepaired Condition on fuch a dangerous Coaft, in the hurricane Seafon, and a: fo great a Dilbnce from the Siiore that it might be furpriied by a Britifh Fleet. In a feu- Days the Lines of the Befiegers might have been carried into ihe Works of the Bcfieged ; but under thefe critical Circumftances no far ther Deiav could be admitted. To aflau't, or to raife the Siege w-as the only Alternative. Prudence would have dictated the Latter; but a Senfe of Honor determined to adopt the Former." --Ramfay's Hijfory of South Carolina, i, 316.
- Genera] Lincoln's Want of Succefs at Savannah, and fubfequent Defeat at Charlcflon, did not abate the Confidence in

I.

Appendix.

155

The French Troops encamped, on the Night of the loth, about two Miles from Savannah. They were, after twenty-four Hours, reembarked at Kincaid's Landing.
Our Difappointment is great; and what adds much to our Senfe of it, is the Lofs of a Num ber of brave Officers and Men, among them the late intrepid Count Pulafki.
Count D'Eftaing has undoubtedly the Intereft of America much at Heart. This he has evinced by coming to our Affiftance, by his conftant Attention during the Siege, his under taking to reduce the Enemy by Aflault, when he difpaired of effecting it otherwife, and by bravely putting himfelf at the Head of his
which he was held by the Commandcr-in Chief, by Congiefs, and by the People. He fubfequently participated in the Siege of Yorktoun, was appointed Secretary of War, commanded the Troops fent againft Shay's Rebellion in Weftern Maflachufctts, and ferved on feveral important Commiffions. In 1788 he became Licutenant-Govcrnor of his native State. General Wafhington appointed him Collector of Bofton, and he lent his full Influence to the Meafures of the firfl Prefident.
In 1806 he refigncd his Office, under a Weight of growing Infirmities. He died at his Home in Hingham, Mafl"., May 9, 181-0, at the Age of feventy-feven.--MaJJ". Hi/}. Cblleftiws, zd Ser., iii, 233; Bowen's Life of Lincoln; Sparks's Eiog. Se ries, xxiii.

156

Appendix.

Troops, and leading them to the Attack. In our Service he has freely bled. I feel much for him ; for while he is fuffering the Diftrefs of painful Wounds, he has to combat Chagrin. I hope he will be confoled by the Aflurance that, although he has not fucceeded according to his Wifhes and thofe of America, we regard with high Approbation his Intentions to ferve us, and that his Want' of Succefs will not leflen Our Ideas of his Merits."

ILxtraff from the King's Speech to Parlia ment, November i, 1780.
* * # -pj Y the Force which the laft -U Parliament put into my
Hands, and by the Bleffing of Divine Provi dence on the Bravery of my Fleets and Armies, I have been enabled to withftand the formidable Attempts of my Enemies, and to fruftrate the great Expectations they had formed; and the fiignal Succefles which have attended the Progrefs of my Arms in the Provinces of Georgia and Carolina, gained with fo much Honour to the Conduct and Courage of my Officers, and to the Valour and Intrepidity of my Troops,

\.

Appendix.

157

which have equalled their higheft Character in any Age, will r I truft, have important Confequences in bringing the War to a happy Conclufion: It is my mod earned Defire to fee this great End accomplished ; but I am confi dent you will agree with me in Opinion, that we can only fecure fafe and honourable Terms of Peace by fuch powerful and refpedable Pre parations as mall convince our Enemies that we will not fubmit to receive the Law from any Powers whatsoever; and that we are united to a firm Refolution to decline no Difficulty or Hazard in the Defence of our Country* ,* and for the Prefervation of our eflential Interefts."

American Account of the Siege of Savannah.
Furnifhcd by an Officer engaged in the Attack. 1 ARLY in Sept. 1779, the Amazon French
Frigate appeared offCharlefton Bar; the Vifcompte de Fontanges, Adjutant General to the Army under Count D'Eftaing, landed and conferred with Gen. Lincoln, when an Attack upon the Britifh Force in Savannah, by the
1 Major Thomas Pinckney.
w

158

Appendix.

combined French Armv* ,J faid to confift of three thoufand Men, and one thoufand American Troops to be furnimed by General Lincoln, __-. was agreed upon. By Order of General Lin coln, Colonel Cambray of the Engineers, Cap tain Gadfden and myfelf, embarked on board the Amazon,* then commanded bv* the celebrated Circumnavigator La Peroufe. 1 In a Day or two after we left Charlefton, we joined the French Fleet, confifting of twenty Ships of the Line, and feveral Frigates, when we went on board the Languedoc, to be under the immediate Com mand of Count D'Eftaing, who had defired that fome American Officers, acquainted with the French Language, might be fent to him. In pafling before Beaufort, D'Eftaing was apprifed that Colonel Maitland, with a considerable Part of the Britifh Force, was ftationed at that Place, and was aware of the Advantages which would refult from preventing his Junction with the main Body at Savannah. Our Progrefs was

1 After the Peace of 1783, he was appointed to conduft a fcientific Expedition on a Voyage of Difcovery. His laft Com munication was dated February 7, 1788, from Botany Bay, and a Myfterv hung over his Fate till 1827, when it was learned that his Ships were loft on one of the Iflands of the New Hebrides Group.

Appendix.

159

delayed fome Hours off the Bar; and it was reported that fome of the fmaller Veflels were preparing to enter, but the Plan was relinquiflied becaufe the Pilots furnifhed from Charleston refufed to undertake to carry them in. This was the firft great Error of this mort, but di aftrous Campaign. The whole Britim regular Force amounted only to two thoufand five
j
hundred Men, of which Maitland commanded eight hundred at Beaufort; had thefe been pre vented from joining Prevoft at Savannah, it is probable the Latter would have capitulated, or certainly could not have made the fame formi dable Refiftance. I know, however, from the Acknowledgement of the principal Pilot, that he did refufe to carry in the Veflels.
" The Fleet then proceeded off Savannah Bar, where Information being received that the Britifh had a Company of Regulars pofted on Tybee liland, D'Eftaing determined to attack them. Accordingly, he landed with the Officers of his Staff, the three Americans, and his Body guard, composed of a Subaltern's Command of about twenty* Marines ;' we marched near half Mile in 'the Direction of the Fort, when D'Ef taing, looking back and feeing only his (lender

160

Appendix.

Efcort, afked the Adjutant General, where were

the Troops to reduce the Britifh Port? M. de

Fontanges anfwered that he had received no

Directions to order any Troops for the Occa-

fion. The General appeared much irritated,

replying that he had informed him of the Ob

ject he had in View, and that it was his Duty to

have brought with him the Number of Troops

neceffarv *

for

the

Occafion.

While this was

patting, a Couple of Negroes came "by, who

being interrogated, informed that the Poft had

been withdrawn early that Morning. This ex

traordinary Occurrence is mentioned to fhow w
fomething of the Manner of Proceeding of the

Commander-in-chief of the Expedition, and of

the Footing on which he flood with the Officers

under his Command.

" The Fleet then proceeded off AfTeeba

Sound, where about eighteen hundred Troops

were embarked in the Boats of the Fleet, and

proceeded at Nightfall twelve Miles up the

River to Beaulieu. The Order for landing,

directed that the Boats fhould follow, as expe-

ditiouflv* as thev* could,J (\in that in which the General embarked, a Lantern was hoifted,) and

on reaching the Landing, the Troops were to

Appendix.

161

range themfelves next to thofe whom they would find drawn up, without any Regard to Corps. It was fortunate for the General, whofe Boat being lighter than the Reft confiderably outrowed them, that a Britifti Poft with two Field-pieces had been withdrawn the preceding Day, or the Boats which arrived firft, muft have been greatly annoyed; the Bluff of Beaulieu commanding a long Reach of the River up which they paffed. The Landing with fuch a Body, would probably have been effected, but certainly not without considerable Lofs. No VTime was loft after the Landing of the Troops, in marching to Savannah; it appearing to be the Defire of the General to arrive then: before the Day appointed for the Rendezvous with General Lincoln.
" The Morning after the Army encamped, within a fhort Diftance of Savannah, a Flag of Truce was fent in, requiring the Surrender of the Poft and Garrifbn, to the Army of His Moft Cbriftian Majefty. A Delay of twenty-four Hours for the Anfwer, was required and granted; before their Expiration, Maitland brought in his Detachment, and the Demand of Capitulation was rejected.

162

Appendix.

cc General Lincoln, with the American Army, arrived near Savannah at the Time agreed upon, which was the I7th September, and on the 23d, .the two Armies formed a Junction, and encamped together within about a Mile and a half of the Enemy's Lines, the French on the Right. Here I joined my Regiment, which being the Firft of South Carolina, was encamped on the extreme Left of the Line.
" It appeared flow to be the Determination of the Generals,J to endeavour to carry* the Poft by regular Approaches; for the Enemy's Line of Defence, which was fcarcely begun when D'Eftaing's Summons was given, had, in that Interval often Days, become formidable; it extended along the iandy Ridge or Bluff, on which Savannah is built, from the Swamp be low the Town to Yamacraw Creek, which is its upper Boundary. It confifted of a Chain of Redoubts with Batteries, the whole covered in Front by a ftrong Abbatis. The principal Battery appeared to be in the Centre of the Line, where ftood, whei^we firft approached it, a large public Builcfing of Brick, but which difappeared in one Night, and in a Day or two a formidable Battery was opened upon us from

Appendix.

163

its Site. The next Work in Importance was the Spring Hill Redoubt, which was on their extreme Right, and commanded Yamacraw Creek, at the Mouth whereof was ftationed a Britifh Galley. This Line was admirably adapted to the Enemy's Force ; if it had been a clofed Line, their two thoufand five hundred Troops could not have manned the Whole, efpecially as they were obliged to have fome flight Works on each Flank, and to pay fome Attention to their Front on the River, as the French had fent fome fmall Veflels of War with a Bomb-ketch into the Back River, which is only feparated from the main Channel by an Ifland of Marfh. From the 23d September, 1 when our Army firft broke Ground, we con tinued working in the Trenches with great Affiduity. Our Batteries opened on the 5th of October, but though well ferved, apparently with little Effect. The Sap continued to be pumed forward until the 8th, when the Remonftrance of the Officers of the French Fleet againft their being detained longer on the Coaft, induced Count D'Eftaing to inform General
1 I kept no Memorandum of the Dates, but have referred to Gen. Moultric's Memoirs for them.

164

Appendix.

Lincoln that he muft withdraw his Force; but to prove his Defire to ferve the Caufe, he of fered to cooperate in an Aflault upon the Britifh Lines. This appears to have been ac cepted as the Pifa/ter, and on that Day we were ordered to parade near the Left of the Line at i o'clock of the next Morning, where we were to be joined by the French, and to march to the Attack in the following Order:--The French Troops were to be divided into three Columns, the Americans into two, the Heads of which were to be pofted in a Line, with proper Intervals at the Edge of the Wood adjoining the open Space of five or fix hundred Yards between it and the Enemy* 's Line,* and at 4 o'clock in the Morning, a little before Day light, the whole was, on a Signal being given, to rum forward and attack the Redoubts and Batteries oppofed to their Front. The Ameri can Column of. the Right, which adjoined the French, were to be preceded by Pulafki, with his Cavalry and the Cavalry of South Carolina, and were to follow the French until they ap proach the Edge of the Wood, when they were to break off and take their Pofition. This Column was compofed of the Light Infantry

Appendix.

165

under Col. Laurens, of the id Regiment of South Carolina, and the ift Battalion of Charlefton Militia. The fecond American Column confifted of the ift and 5th South Carolina Regiments, commanded by Brigadier General M'lntofh of Georgia. A Corps of French Weft India Troops, under the Vifcompte de Noailles, the Artillery, and fome American Militia, formed the Referve under General .Lincoln.
"A faint Attack byrf the South Carolina Militia and Georgians, under Brigadier General Huger, was ordered to be made on the Enemy's Left; but, inftead of the French Troops being paraded fo as to march off at 4 o'clock, it was near four before the Head of that Column reached our Front. The whole Army then marched towards the Skirt of the Wood in one long Column, and as they approached, the open Space were to break off into the different Columns, as ordered for the Attack. But, by the Time the firft French Column had arrived at the open Space, the Day had fairly broke, when Count D'Eftaing, without waiting until the other Columns had arrived at their Pofition, placed himfelf at the Head of his firft Column,
X

166

Appendix.

and rufhed forward to the Attack. But this

Body was fo feverely galled by the Grape-fhot

from the Batteries as they advanced, and by

both Grape-mot and Mufketry when they

reached the Abbatis, that, in fpite of the Effort

of the Officers, the Column got into Confufion

and broke away to their Left toward the Wood

in that Direction ; the fecond and the third

French Columns fhared fucceflively the fame

Fate, having the additional Difcouragement of

feeing as they marched to the Attack, the Re-

puhe and Lofs of their Comrades who had

preceded them. Count Pulafki, who, with the

Cavalry, preceded the right Column of the

Americans, proceeded gallantly until flopped

by the Abbatis, and before he could force

through it, received his mortal Wound. In

the mean Time, Colonel Laurens at the Head

of

the

Lig-ht ^

Infantry, - -1*

followed

bv *

the

2d

South

Carolina Regiment, and ift Battalion Charlefton

Militia, attacked the Spring Hill Redoubt, got

into the Ditch and planted the Colours of the

2d Regiment on the Berm, but the Parapet was

too high for them to fcale it under fo heavy a

Fire, and after much Slaughter they were driven

out of the Ditch. When General Pulafki was

Appendix.

167

about to be removed from the Field, Colonel D. Horry, to whom the Command of the Ca valry devolved, afked what were his Directions. He anfwered,* 'follow mv* Lancers to whom I have given my order of Attack.' But the Lan cers were fb feverely galled by the Enemy's Fire, that they alfo inclined off to the Left, and were followed by all the Cavalry, breaking through the American Column, who were.at tacking the Spring Hill Redoubt. By this Time the 2d American Column headed by Gen. M'lntofh, to which I was attached, arrived at the Foot of the Spring Hill Redoubt, and fuch a Scene of Confufion as there appeared is not often equalled. Col. Laurens had been feparated from that Part of his Command that had not entered the Spring Hill Ditch by the Cavalrv ,* who had borne it before them into the Swamp to the Left, and when we marched up, inquired if we badjeen them. Count D'Eftaing was wounded in the Arm, and endeavouring to rallvrf his Men,* a few of whom with a Drummer he had collected. General M'lntofh did not {peak French, but defired me to inform the Com mander-in-chief that his Column was frefh, and that he wiftied his Directions, where, under

168

Appendix.

prefent Circumftances, he mould make the At

tack. The Count ordered that we mould move

more to the Left,* and bv* no Means to interfere with the Troops he was endeavouring to rally;

in purfuing this Direction we were thrown too

much to the Left, and before we could reach

Spring Hill Redoubt, we had to pafs through

Yamacraw Swamp, then wet and boggy, with

the Gallev at the Mouth annoy* ing" our left Flank W'ith Grape-mot. While ftruggling through

this Morafs, the firing flacked, and it was re

ported that the whole Army had retired. I was

fent by General M'lntofh to look out from the

Spring Hill, where I found not an Aflailant

ftanding. On reporting this to the General, he

ordered a Retreat, which was effected without

much Lofs, notwithftanding the heavy Fire of

Grape-mot with which we were followed.

" The Lofs of both Armies in killed and

wounded amounted to 637 French and 457

Americans, 1 iooo. 2 The Irifh Brigade in the

French Service, and our 2d Regiment, particu

larly diftinguimed themfelves and fuffered moft.

The Lofs of the Britim amounted only to fifty-



4

five.

1 Moultrie.

'2 Marfhall.

..." Appendix.*

169

" Thus was this fine Body of Troops facrificed by the Imprudence of the French General, who, being of fuperior Grade, commanded the Whole. If the French Troops had left their Encampment in Time for the different Corps to have reached their Positions, and the Whole attacked together, the Profpect of Succefs would have been infinite,l. y better,' though even then it would have been very doubtful on Account of the Strength of the Enemy's Line, which was well fupplied by Artillery. But if Count D'Eftaing had reflected a Moment, he muft have known, that attacking with a (ingle Column before the Reft of the Armv** could have reached their Pofition, was expofing the Army to be beaten in Detail. In fact the Enemy, who were
*'
to be aflailed at once on a confiderable Part of their Front, finding themfelves only attacked at one Point, very deliberately concentrated their whole Fire on the availing Column, and that was repeated as faft as the different Corps were brought up to the Attack. General Lincoln had the Command of the Referve and covered the Retreat; if he had led the Attack, I think the Event could not have been fo difaftrous, and I an warranted in this Opinion by the At-

170

Appendix.

tack he made on the Enemy's Lines at Stono,

where, when he found how ftrongly the Enemy

were entrenched, although his Light Infantry,

on both Flanks, had gained fome Advantage,

withdrew the Troops without any confiderable

Lofs.

" The Similarity in 4

the

Refult of

this

Attack

on Savannah, and that of the Brltifh on New

Orleans in 1815, is remarkable; the Lofles of

the AfTailants and their Enemies was nearly in

equal Proportion. Neither can Packenham ef-

cape the Cenfure of Precipitation, in urging

the Attack when he knew the (baling Ladders

he had ordered were not brought up, and before

Colonel Thornton had got Poffeffion of our

Batteries on the Weft Side of the River, which,

if brought to bear on the right Flank of the

American Line, muft have made an important

Diverfion in Favour of his Attack."--Garden's

Anecdotes of the American Revolution, Brooklyn

Ed., 1865, iii, 19.

Appendix.

I7I

v
French Account of D'Eftaing's Attempt upon Savannah in Georgia.

[From the Paris Gazette of Jan. 7, 1780.]
Summary of the Operations of the Kings Squadron commanded by the Count D* Eftaing, Vice Admiral of France, after the taking of Grenada, and the Naval Engagement off that IJland with Byron's Squadron.
A DETACHMENT of the King's Ships and Frigates, under the Orders of Cap tain de Suffren, went to make the Iflands of Curiacou and Union Capitulate, and received the Oath of Allegiance of the Inhabitants. The Sieur Montet, Governor of the Ifland of St. Vincent, performed the fame Operation in the Iflands of Becouya; the Surrender of the other little Grenadines followed immediately that of the principal Iflands.
The 22d of July, the King's Squadron ap peared before St. Chriftopher's, where the Englifh Squadron was at Anchor under the Batteries in the Road. The Englifh Adthiral did not think proper to accept the Battle./
After remaining two Days before St. Chrifto- J pher's, the King's Squadron failed for St.

172

Appendix.

Domingo with the trading Fleet of the French Windward Iflands. The Count D'Eftaing difpatched all thefe Ships to Europe, which were joined by thofe of the Leeward Iflands, under the Protection of the Ships le Protefteur and la Pier, and the Frigates la Minerve and fAlemene.
With the Remainder of his Squadron he fteered for the Coafts of the Continent of America. A Gale of Wind he met with the 2d of September, whilft at Anchor before the Mouth of Savannah, prevented his going up more Northward. Moft of his Ships were difabled, and five of them had their Rudders broken.
The Repair of the King's Ships required a considerable Time in a Country where naval Stores are hard to be come at. That Gircumftance decided the Count d'Eftaing to undertake the Siege of Savannah with the Troops he had . on board his Ships, which were joined by 2,000 Men from the United States of North America, under the Command of General Lincoln.
The French Troops conlifted of 2,823 E U~ ropeans, draughted from the Regiments of Armagnac, Champagne, Auxerrois, Agenois, Garinois, Cambrefis, Haynault, Foix, Dillon, Walm, le Cap, la Gaudeloupe, la Martinique

Appendix.

173

and Port au Prince, including a Detachment of the Royal Corps of Infantry of the Marine, the Volunteers of Vallelle, the Dragoons, and 156 Volunteer Grenadiers, lately raifed at Cape Fran9ois. The coloured Troops confided of 545 Volunteer Chafieurs, Mulattoes and Ne groes, newly raifed at St. Domingo.
The Total of the Troops of the Befiegers, including the 2,000 Americans, amounted to 5,524 Men. '
The Englifh had in Savannah 3,055 Englifh. European Troops, 80 Cherokee Savages, and 4,000 Negroes. The Total of the Troops of the Befieged was 7,165 Men, under the Com mand of General Prevoft.
The 15th of September the Englifh General was fummoned to furrender the Place, and on his Refufal the Siege was begun. It was carried on with as much Vigour as the fmall Number of Workmen would admit of. The Enemy made a Sally the 24th of September, and were repulfed with Lofs, and the Sieur O'Dun purfued them as far as their Intrenchments. The Impoflibility of continuing a Siege in Form againft fuperior Forces, decided the Count d'Eftaing to order the Attack on the Entrench ments the pthYof October. Th" e""Ene my, being

174

Appendix.

informed

bv <

Deferters

of the

Plan

of

the

At-

tack, had prepared their Defence on the Side

intended to be furprifed.

The French and American Troops attacked

with the greateft Vigour, and returned three

Times to the Charge; but the Superiority of

Numbers forced them to &give. Way- . The Seafon was too far advanced for the

Count d'Eftaing to hope he could terminate

the Operations of a Siege; he was afraid left

one of thofe Gales, fo frequent on the Coaft of

Georgia, (hould drive his Ships out -of the

Road, and oblige him to put to Sea, in Order

to fave them, and thus abandon the Troops

employed in the Expedition. He refblved to

raife the Siege. The Retreat was made in the

beft Order, and without being molefted.

The King's Troops reembarked the loth of

OcloVer; *

onlv two Davs





*

after

the

Rudders of

the Ships could be repaired and placed.

The greateft Union has fubfifted between the

combined Forces.

The Count de Dillon, the Vifcount de

Noailles, the Marquis de Pont de Naux, the

Baron de Steding, the Vifcount de Fontages,

Colonel and the Sieur O'Dun, Lieutenant Colo-

Appendix.
nel, particularly diftinguifhed themfelves in an Operation, as painful by the Fatigues of a Ser vice rendered continual by the fmall Number of Men, as it was glorious for them, by the Dan gers to which they were perpetually expofed, and by the different Manoeuvres with which they were charged.
The Chevalier de Trolong du Remain, and the Count de Chaftenet de Puyfegur, have proved, by conducting the King's Lighter la Truife, under the very Batteries of the Town of Savannah, that an armed Sloop, laden with Artillery of the Calibre of 12, too ftrong for its Pattern, could back itfelf againft land Bat teries of the largeft Calibre.
Total of the Killed, 15 Officers, and 168 Subalterns and Soldiers.
Total of the Wounded, 43 Officers, and 411 Subalterns and Soldiers.--New Jerfey Journal., ii, Ixxi, June 21, 1780.
Count Pulajki.
AMONG the Lofles of the Allies before Savannah, none was more feverely felt than that of Count Cafimir Pulafki. De-

176

Appendix.

fcended from*^ eble- Hopfe in Poland, and reared in the Love of Liberty, he had long contended againft the Tyranny that was crufhing his native Country; and when Refinance was no longer of avail, he fled to Turkey in the Hope of continuing the Conteft againft Ruflia, but a Peace in 1774 put an End to this, and he came to offer his Services to America.
His active and ardent martial Spirit com mended him to the Favor of Wafhington; and, having ferved without Rank as a Volun teer with much Succefs at the Battle of Brandywine, was appointed by Congrefs, September 5th, 1777, to the Command of a Troop of Horfe, with the Rank of Brigadier. In 1778 he was authorized to raife an independent Corps, compofed of three Companies of Cavalry and three of Foot, which received the Name of " Pulafki's Legion." While this was being organized, he was ftationed at Bethlehem, Pa.; and the Protection he afforded to the Female Members of the Moravian Community at that Place was rewarded by the Prefentation of a beautiful Silk Banner, taftefully embroidered; and which, after being faved at the Battle of Savannah, was brought North, and finally was depofited with the Maryland Hiftorical Society.

Appendix.

177

Conflicting Accounts have come dowrl to us relating to the Place of General Pulafki's Place of Burial; and when the noble Monument to his Memory was ereded"*'at; Savannah, a metallic Cafe, holding what were fuppofed to be his mortal Remains, was placed within the Plinth, alongfide of the Corner Stone. The Weight of Evidence, however, decides in the Belief, that he died on Board the Wajp^ and was buried under Water, on the Return of the Army to Charleston. The Subject is fully ftated in Prof. Stevens's Htftory of Georgia, from which Work this Notice is abridged.
Upon the Vifit of the Marquis de La Fayette to Savannah, in 1825, the Corner Stone was laid for a Monument to Count Pulafki, on Chippeway Square, and another to General Greene on Pulafki Square.
An Attempt was made to raife the Funds for this Object, but failed, as did allo an Effort to combine the two Enterprifes in a f< Greene and Pulafki Monument," although a confiderable Sum was raifed by Lottery for this Purpofe. On the nth of October, 1853, the Corner Stone of another Monument to Pulafki was laid, and the Structure was finifhed at about the Begin ning of the late Rebellion.

178

Appendix.

An Engraving, reprefenting the Pulafki Mon ument, and a full Defcription, and Account of laying the Corner Stone, are given in White's Hijhry of Georgia, P. 308.

IN D E X .

ACTION, naval, 103,

Barclay, Andrew, Efq., 52.

** Agnois, 145, 172.

Barrington, Ship, 95.

Alemenc, 1', Ship, 172.

Beaufort, 18, 31, 32, 47, 55,

Alert, Ship, 95, 14,. -.

6l, 63, 114, 158, 160.

Amazon Frigate, 50, 144, 145, Becouva, Iflands of, 171.

157, 158.

Bendelo, Captain, 147.

American Account of Siege of Bentolofa, Mons., 70.

Savannah, 157.

Bcntalon, Captain, 41.

Andrc, Major, Allu.fion to, l \~. Beraud, Captain, 146.

Anhalt Regiment, 95.

Bertrand, Count, 132.

Annibal, Sliip, 94, 144.

Bethlehem, Pa., 176.

Antigua, News from, 51.

Bcwlie, 32, 34, 136; French

Appeal, Burlcfque, to People of land at, 29.

United States, 105, 106.

Black Brigade, 45.

Appendix, 127.

Blance, Ship, 50, 14;.

Appomattox River, 104.

Blonde, Ship, 52.

Ariel, Ship, 52, 144.

Blondeule, Ship, 95.

Armagnac Regiment, 145, 172. Boats, Delay from Want of,

Artefien, Ship, 94, 144.

150.

Afl~au.lt of Savannah, 27, 86, Bombardment, Extent of, 50.

141, 154, 164, 165, 166, Bordeaux, Ship, 145.

73-

Bougainville, Mons., 54, 144.

Afleeba Sound, 160.

Bowie, Captain, 147.

Auxerois Regiment, 95, 172. Bram Regiment, 145.

Brewton's Hill, 45.

~DACK River, 34, 35, 44, Bricoli, Ship, 145.

*-* 68, 69, 70, 76, 141, 163. Britifh Legion, 59.

Bailev, Lieutenant, 146.

Brown, Captain, 24, 54, 8l.

Baird, Sir James, 8, 13, 14. Brown, Lieut. Colonel, 59.

Banner prcfcnted to Pulafki, 176. Bruneau, Lieutenant, 147.

i8o

Index.

Burial of Dead, 74. Burlefque Appeal to People of
United States, by Corigrefs, 105. 106; Letter on the Fa ; '.jre of the French at Sa vannah, 9;, 96. Burfel of Dead, 86. Bum, Lieutenant, 40. Byron, Admiral, 53, 54.
, Ship, 94, 144. Caliibogue, 143. Cambray, Colonel, 158. Cambrefis Regiment, 172. Carr.eron, Captain, 8, lo. Csmpbell, Col. Archibald, 7,
II, 13, 14Campbell, Captain P-atrick, 50. -Campbell, Lieutenant Smcllett,
43, H8Cape Francois, 19, 26, 173;
Troops from, 95. 145, 1/2. Carolina Militia retire, 45. Carolina Redoubt, -85. Cartels, 47, 102. Cafket. Loudon's noticed, 117. Gallon's Bluff, 34, 46. Ceres, Ship, 95, 145. Chamblis, Cnev. de, 132. Champagne Regiment, 172. Champion, ftore Ship, 144,
H6Charlsfton, Condition of, in
1779. 16; attacked in 1779, 17; Ailuficns to, 121, 123, 124; Militia, 165; Ameri cans return' to, 76. Chcrokee Hill, 187. . Cherokee Indians, 173. Chefapeak Bay, 23.

Chefapcak, VefTels fail for, 49, loo, 101.
Chriftian, Captain, 50, 143. Chimere, la, Ship, 145. Clarke, Lieutenant of the
Navy, 8. Clinton, Sir Henry, 7. Cockfpur, 47, 58, 61. Cohorns, 35. Colored Regiment of the Cape,
95' 173-
Colors, brave Aft in fecuring, 40.
Comet, Gaily, 9, 27, 32, 58, 59, 60, 61, 67, 137, 141.
Congrefs, Letter to, 149; fecret Proceedings, 140; burlefque Appeal of, 105, 106.
Correfpondence between D/Eftaing and General Prevoft, 127.
Council of War held, 31. Court of Inquiry exonerates
General Howe, I 5. Cozens, Captain, 148. Craw ford, Sloop, 50, 60. Cruger, Lieut. Colonel, 39, 64. Curiacou, 171.
Curry, John, Deferter, 37.
FJASUSKEE, 31, 32.
^"^ Dauphin Royal, Ship, 94, i|5-
Davis, Captain, 147. De Chaftenet de Puyfegen,
Count-'de, 175. D'Eftaing, Charles Heftor,
Comte, 18, 80; Fleet of, "19; demands Surrender of Savannah, 20, 29, 138 : ap-

Index.

181

pears before Savannah, 25, Drowning of French reported,

57, 82, 149; demands Sur

SI-

render, and grants Delay, 30,

62, 82, 161, 162 ; com PAST Florida, 52.

mences Siege, 33 ; Aflault "^ Ebenezer, 38, 40.

by, 38, 86, 141, 165, 167, Ebenezer Battery, 72, 73;

173; wounded, 41, 81 ; Er

Heights of, 150.

rors of, 47, 96, 158; Un Elbert, Colonel, 12.

certainty of his Movements, Elegy on Col. Maitlarid, 112.

48, 56; eftcclive Force of, Elliott, Mrs., Colors prefented

53 ; Englifh Reports con

by, 40.

cerning, 54 J biographical Ellis, Ship, 95.

Notice of, 62 ; Summons of, Elphinftone, Brig, 2,.

89 ; Correfpondence with Englifh Account of Siege of

Gen. P revolt, 91, 92; bur- .Savannah, 134; Return of

lefque Letter concerning, 96 ; Killed and Wounded, 147.

Movements of Fleet of, 100, Epitaph, poetical, for Colonel

101, 102; Correfpondence Maitland, 114.

of, continued, 127 ; fincerelv Errors of the Siege, 47, 96,

defired Succefs, 162.

158, 169.

De Graflc, Mons., 56.

Etholm, Captain, 152, 153.

Delancey's Battalion, 10, 35, Eulogy upon Col. Maitland,

59, 60, 148, 152, 153.

no.

Delanccy, Mrs., Verfes attri Experiment, Man-of-War, 52,

buted tO, 112.

145.

De Montangc, Gen., wounded,

22.

PAILURE of Allies ac-

Deferters, 45, 65, 71, 75,

counted for, 99.

76.

Fantafque, Ship, 94, 144.

. Deflaufure, Lieutenant, 147. Feint Attack, 165.

Diademe, Ship, 145.

Pendant, Ship, 94, 105,

Dillon, Count Arthur, 97, 172, 145.

174; Notice of, 132.

Fier, laJShip, 50, 172.

Dillon, Sir James, 132.

Five-Fathom-Hole,44, 61, 65,

Dillon Regiment, 95, 132, 145, 67> 77, 79' r 4-

172.

Flag fent, 43, 67, 70, 74, 82,

Dolly Quamino, a Negro, 13.

84, 86, 161.

Donations for Garrifon of Sa Fleur de la Mere, 95.

vannah, 124.

Flyming's Ifland, 34.

Donnom, Capt. Lieut., 146.
z

Foix Regiment, 145, 172.

182

Index,

Fontanges, Vifcompte de, 157, 160, 174.
Fontenoy, Regiment of, 132. Fort Pulaflci, 47. Fortune, Ship, 50, 14,. Fowey, Ship, 51, 58, 59, 60,
61. 134, 136, 137, 140, ,46. France, Ships return to, 53. French Fleet in Weft Indies, 18. French Fleet before Savannah, 18, 57, 94, 172. French, Strength of, 80, 172. French, Fleet. Effectives of, 53; Names of, 144; Troops decoysd under Fire, 33; Lofs, 8 1 ; Captain captured by Stratagem, 152; Wounded fern off, 44; Boats faid to be funk, 5- ; Account of At tack on Savannah, 171.
JADSDEX, Captain, 158. ^-^ Gaine. Mr., receives Do
nations for Garrifon, 125. GalTM encountered, 172. Garden Bank, YefTels funk on,
34; Garrinois Regiment, 172. Garrifon of Savannah, Dona
tions for, 1 24. Gafton, Lieutenant, 147. Gaudeloupe Regiment, 172. Gaudaloupe, Troops from,
Georgia, early revolutionary Spirit of, 5 ; civil Govern ment in, 17; Trade opened with, 1 14.

Genera] Mathews, Sloop, 26. Germain, Lord George, 115;
Letter to, 7. Germain, armed Ship, 58, 136,
140. Gerard, Mr., 149. Gcrredeaux's Plantations, 9,
10. Giles, Captain, 147. Graham, John, Lieutenant Go
vernor, 35. Graham, Major, 32, 33, 64. Gray, Lieutenant, 147. Greenwich, armed Sloop, 9. Grenada, Capital of, 18, 29,
4 8 > 5> 53, 9Grenadiers, 59, 73, 88. Grenadines, 171. Guerrier, Ship, 94, 144.
OAMILTON, coi, North
Carolina Loyalift, 39. Havanna, Veflels fail for, 100. Haynault Regiment, 172. He<ftor, Ship, 94, 145. Henry, Captain John, 51,65,
148 ; Notice of, 134. Heffians, 7, 11,31, 33, 59, 60. Highland Regiment, 8. Hilton Head, 102, 103. Hogan, General, 105. Hogin, Captain, 147. Horn-, Colonel, 41, 167. Hofp'ital. Britifh, 38. Howe, Lord, 62. Ho\ve, General Robert, 7, 10,
15, 16. Huger, Colonel Ifaac, 12, 42. Huger, Genera], 39, 165. Huger's Regiment, n.

Index.

183

Hume, Lieutenant, 40.

Hofpital, 80'; from T. W.

Hurricane Seafon, 48.

Moore, 82 ; from Count

Hutchinfon's Ifland, 70.

D'Eftaing, 89, 92,128, 131;

from Gen. Prevoft, 91, 127,

TPHYGENIE, Ship, 50,

130, 133; burlefque, from

145.

French Officer, 95, 96 ; with

JASPER, Sergeant William, Bravery of, 40.

Criticifms upon Siege of Sa vannah, 1175 from Captain Henry, giving an Account of

Jafper, County named, 40.

Siege, 135; from Gen. Lin

"Jonathan," Reception of, 83. coln to Congrefs, 149.

Jones, Major, 146.

Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, ap

pointed to command South

TT'ENNEDY, Captain, 25.

ern Department, 16; men

*" Keppel,armed Brig, 9, 58, tioned, 17, 18, 19, 47, 65,

59, 60, 61, 135, 137, 140. 86, 94, 98, 104, 122, 125,

Killed and Wounded, Return 138, 149, 154, 155, 157,

.of American, 146; Eng- 158, 161, 162, 165, 172 ;

lifh Return of, 147, 168 ; Notice of, 155.

French, 175.

Lively, Ship, 95, 145.

Kincaid's Landing, 155.

Livingfton, William, Letter to,

King's Rangers, 59.

117.

King's Speech in Parliament, Lloyd, Mrs., Houfe of, burnt,

i S 6.

36.

Locke, Lieutenant, 57, 135.

I ANGREL, 86.

London, Veflels fail for, 50.

*'*' Languedoc, Ship, 94,144, Lotteries, 177.

158.

Loudon's Cafket noticed, 117.

La Peroufe, the Navigator, 158. Loyalists, relative Numbers

Laurens, Colonel, 40,165,166, of, 6.

167.

' Lys, Ship, 145.

- Laurie, Mrs., Houfe of, burnt,

36Lee, Colonel, Account given by,

1VVT1cC9A0.RTNEY, Lord, 29,

!5 2 - .

McDonough, Captain, 27.

Leeward Iflands, 172.

McGi-llivray's Plantation, 45.

Leflie, Major General, 52, 55. Mclntofh, Angus, 55.

Letter, giving an Account of Mclntofh, Eneas, 55.

the Attack upon Savannah, Mclntofh, General, 42, 55,

80 ; from Gentleman in 86, 93, 146, 151, 167.

184.

Index.

McKinzie, Captain, 52. McPherfon, Lieutenant Henry,
66, 148. Magr.ifkjue, Ship, 26, 54, 94,
144- . -Maitland, Lieut. Colonel John,
23, 24, 3 1 * 35, 3 8' 39' ^i, 63> 8 3> ?9> T 3 6> J 37, 15** 159; Epitaph on, 114; Eu logy upon, 1 1 o ; Verfes on Death of, r I 2 ; Reply of Spirit of, r 13. Marines, Corps of, 95, 173. Marfcllois, Ship, 94, 144.
Martinique Regiment, 1 72. Martinico Volunteers, 5 1, 95,
Meadows, General, 49. Mil's, Captain John, 33. Minerve, la, Ship, 172. Molefworth, W., 1 15. MoncriefFe, Capt. George, 28,

New Orleans, Comparifon with, 170.
New Providence, 102. New York, Expeditions fent
from, 7. New York Volunteers (Loy-
alifts), 9, 10, 14, 60, 63. New York, Sloop for, 50. North Channel, Sounding of,
57, 60. Noailles, Viicomptc, 52, 54,
165, 174.
N, Sieur, 173, 174. Ogeeche River, 78, 151. Order Book of Gen. Prevoft, 60. Orders iffued on Appearance of the French before Sa vannah, 59; during Siege, 64Oflabaw, 51.

" Monficur," Reception of, 83. Montet, Sieur, 171. Monument to Pulafki, 177. Moore, T. W., Letter from, 8z\ Moravians prefent Banner to
Pulafki, 176. Mott, Charles, 87. Moultrie, General, 163. Mud Flat, 140. Mulatto Troops, 53. Mulryne, Col. John, 45. Myrtle, Ship, 143, 144.
XTAPOLEON, at St. Helena, 132.
Negroes employed on Fortifi cations, 28.

PANIC reported among * French, 53. Parker, Commodore, 8. Parker, Lieutenant, 147. Parfons, Captain, 147. Partizan Warfare, Bitternefs
of, 6. Petre, Lieutenant, 147. Pinckney, Thomas, 157. Plombard, M., French Con-
ful, 19, 149. PoJhill, Captain, 39. Pollard, Enfign, 34, 87, 148. Pont de Naux, Marquis de,
174Port au Prince, 173 ; Troops
from, 145.

Index.

185

Port Royal, Poft eftablifhed 58,63,65,67, 69,81,135,

at, 18 ; noticed, 19, 47,

136, 137-

143.

Prevoft, Gen. Auguftine, No Roux, Captain, 147.

tice of, 17; notified of Ap .Royal, le, Ship, 145.

proach of French Fleet, 19; Royal Roufillon Regiment, 145.

delays Operations, 20; Cor- Rutledge, Galley, 143.

refpondence with, 89, 91, Rutlcdge, Governor, 18.

127; noticed, 17, 29, 30,

50, 55, 82, 136, 159, 173. C AG1TAIRE, Ship, 94, 103,

Prifoners, 67, 69, 102.

104, 144.

Proclamation of Lord Germain St. Auguftine, 17, 27, 51, 52.

noticed, 116; Thankfgiving, St. Chriltophers, 171.

51-

St. Domingo, 172, 173.

Protefteur, le, Ship, 172.

St. Helena, Poft eftablifhed at,

Provence, Ship, 94, 144,

.18.

Provincial Troops (Loyal- ~5F. Lucia captured, 18.

ills), 7.

St. Vincent, 48, 171.

Pulaflci, Count, wounded, 22, Salter's Ifland, 32.

40, 75, 81, 147, 151, 155, Savannah attacked, 7; Britifh

165, 166; Notice of, 175; official Account of its Cap

Burial of, 177; Monument, ture, 7; Lofles at, 15; com-,

177-

bined Attack to recover,

Pulaflci's Legion, 170.

agreed upon, 19; Siege of,

"21, 64, 83 ; Attack repulfed,

O APPAHANNOCK River, 22 ; Size of City, 23 ; eva

^ 105.

cuated by the Britifli Army,

. Recole, Ship, 94.

24; Advices from, 25 ; Sur

Redoubts erefted, 28.

render demanded, 29; De

Reflechi, Ship, 94, 145.

lay afked and granted, 30;

Revenue Regulations with

Refolve to defend, 31; Col.

Georgia, 114.

Maitland arrives, 3 1 ; Pro-

Rhode Ifland, 95.

grcfs of Siege, 33-38; At

River Dan, 10.

tack by French, 38 ; re

Rivington, Mr., receives Do pulfed, 40 ; Cafualties, 43,

nations for Garrifon, 125.

54; Siege raifed, 46; Port

Robinfon, John, 116.

open, 47; Stevens's Review

Robafte, Ship, 94, 144.

of Siege, 47; Thankfgiving

Roderique, ftorc Ship, 145.

for Victory, 5 1 ; Addition

Rofe, Man-of-War. 24, 34, to Journal of Siege, 52;

i86

Index.

: another Journal of Siege, 57; Steding, Baron de, 174.

Letter, giving an Account Steel, John, 143.

of, 80, 82; burlefque Let Stephens, Mr., 134.

ter concerning, 96: Reafons Stevens's Account of the Af-

of Failure of Allies at, 99; fault at Savannah, 41 ; Re

Journal of Sir James Wal

view of Siege, 47.

lace, 102 ; Correfpondence Stratagem of Col. White, 151.

relative to Surrender, 127; Stone, 170.

Capt. Henry's'Account of Stuart, Captain, 59.

Siege of, 134 ; Gen. Lin Summons of D'Eitaing to fur-

coln's Account of Siege of, render, 89, 1.61, 162.

149; American Account of,

IS'-

'pALLEMACH, Captain,

Savannah River, a Frontier, 17;

39-

Savannah, Ship, 27, 32, 58; Tanar, Captain, 147.

burnt, 65.

Tattnall's Plantation, 11, 12,

Scott, General, 102, 104.

59. 6o-

Secret Proceedings of Congrefs, Tawfe, Lieut. Thomas, killed,

149.

39, 43, 73, 81, 148.

Shakefpeare s Prince, quoted, Tefft, J. K., 60.

119.

Tempefluous Weather, 21, 22,

Shaw, Captain, 50.

48, 174.

Sheldon, Gen. Lincoln retires ThankJgiving, Burlefque of,

to. 18.

109

Shepherd, Captain, 146.

Thompfon, Mrs., 35.

Sheriff, Major, 52.

Thompfon's Regiment, n.

Simpfon, Capt. John, killed, .Thornton, Colonel, 170.

37, H8-

Three Friends, Brig, 17, 50.

Stinner's Battalion, 60.

Thunderbolt. 34.

Smith, Captain, 147.

Thunderer, Galley, 32, 67,

Snake, Half-galley, 143.

68, 69.

Sortie, 66, 173.

Tenant, Ship, 94, 145.

Soundings, 57, 60.

Trade opened with Georgia,

South Channel, 60.

114.

Southern Colonies not invaded Triumph, Ship, 94.

in the early Part of the Trolong du Romain, 175.

War, ;.

Truce aflced, 48, 130 ; granted,

Sphinx, Ship, 26, 94, 14,.

131-

Spring Battery, 39, 41, 42, Truite, Frigate, 34, 44, 52, 95,

162, 166, 167, 168.

175-

k

Index.

187

Trumbull, Colonel, 14. Truftee's Garden, 33. Two Sifters. 46. Tybee, 8, 26, 27, 46, 47, 58,
59, 60, 135, 136, 143, 159. Tybee Fort," 58; abandoned

Wandel, Lieutenant, 147. Warren, Captain, 147. Wafhington, General, Letter
to, noticed, 149; inftrucled
to aft with the French, 49. Waflaw, 27.

and burnt, 59. Tybee Light-houfe, 57, 58.

Well worth Regiment, n. Weft Indies, 98.

T TNTON Ifland, 171.

White, John, Exploit of, 151, 152.

^

White Vefter Bank, 58.

"AILLANT, Ship, 54, 94, Whitworth, Lieutenant, 56,

144. Vengeur, Ship, 94, 144. Venus, Tranfport, 32 ; burnt,
65.

I 35 < Wijkie, Lieutenant 147. " illiamfon, Gen. Andrew, 39,
H6-

Verfes on Death of Col. Maitland, 112.
Veflels funk in Savannah River, 2O ft.
Vigikntfship, 31, 50, 134, 1^6 14.^
Viper,' Galley, 143.

Wilmington River, 8. Wlle > MaJr> H6-
Wiflenbach Regiment, 11,59. Women and Children, Pro-
tcaionaiked for 92,93. Woodrord, oenerai, 104. Wounded landed in Chefapeak

Vleland, Lieutenant, 147. Volunteer Chafleurs, 173.

^ a >' IOI> " ri ht> Sir James' 2 *> 35 78,

102; Plantation of, II, 12.

WALKER, Lieutenant, " -Wright, Major, Corps of, 59;

147.

. Redoubt of, 37, 39.

Wallace, Captain, 39.

Wallace, Sir James, 52, 102, VAMACRAW, 69, 140,

104, 139.

-

162, 163, 168.

Wallace, Licut James, 43. Wall's Cut, 137. Walfli, 172.
Walton, Col. George, 14.

7ELE, Ship, 94, 144. '-/ Zubly, Rev. John )., 45.
Zubly's Ferry, 22, 150, 152.