USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I > Part 26
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SAVANNAH'S FIRST "FOURTH OF JULY" (AUGUST 10TH)
It is doubtful whether the excitement over the signing of the Declara- tion of Independence of the United Colonies was anywhere within the limits of those colonies as intense as it was in the town of Savannah. It was over a month after its formal confirmation that the news was re- ceived here, towit, on the 10th of August, when President Archibald Bulloch obtained by the hands of a special messenger a copy of that precious document, together with a letter from the Hon. John Han- cock, president of the Continental Congress. No less than four times was it read in public on that memorable day. First, it was read in the presence of the Provincial Congress, assembled for that purpose, and it was with unbounded delight that the representatives of the people listened to its words of patriotism, courage and determination. Again, to the assembled people in the public square, just in front of the public assembly hall, it was deliberately read to all who had received notice of its reception by the legal head of the new administration, and at its
* Historical Collections of Georgia, by George White, p. 336.
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conclusion the grenadiers and light infantry fired a salute, and a pro- cession was formed in the following order :
The Grenadiers in front; the Provost Marshal on horseback, with his sword . drawn; the Secretary, bearing the Declaration; His Excellency. the President; the honorable, the Council, and gentlemen attending: the Light Infantry; the Militia of the town and district of Savannah; and lastly the citizens.
Marching thus to the liberty pole, at Tondee's tavern, on the north- west corner of Broughton and Whitaker streets. they were joined by the Georgia battalion. and the document was listened to for the third time, after which the military under command of Colonel MeIntosh fired thirteen rounds both from the small arms and the cannon. Moving from that point the vast crowd made its way to the battery at the eastern end of the bay, where the trustees' garden also was located. when for the fourth and last time the declaration was read amid the greatest rejoicing. and the siege guns at that point fired a final salute. The festivities did not end even there, for the president, joined by the members of council. Colonel McIntosh, the militia and many gentlemen dined under the cedar trees, the banquet concluding with the drinking of the toast "Pros- perity and perpetuity of the United, Free and Independent States of America." But the most imposing part of the celebration was still to come. At night fall the town was illuminated, and, in effigy, his majesty George the Third was solemnly interred in the presence of what was probably the largest procession ever before gathered within the town's limits, consisting of the grenadiers, light infantry. the Georgia battalion, the militia, and the citizens generally, preceded by drummers beating muffled drums, after marching to the place of burial. and the reading of this impressive burial service: "For as much as George the Third, of Great Britain, hath most flagrantly violated his Coronation Oath, and trampled upon the Constitution of our Country and the sacred rights of mankind : we, therefore. commit his political existence to the ground- corruption to corruption-tyranny to the grave-and oppression to eternal infamy; in sure and certain hope that he will never obtain a resurrection to rule again over these United States of America. But, my friends and fellow citizens, let us not be sorry, as men without hope, for TYRANTS that thus depart-rather let us remember that Amer- ica is free and independent ; that she is. and will be, with the blessings of the Almighty. GREAT among the nations of the earth. Let this en- courage us in well doing, to fight for our rights and privileges, for our wives and children, and for all that is near and dear unto us. May God give us His blessing, and let all the people say AMEN."
As in Christ Church parish, so in all the other parishes were the good tidings of the adoption of the act declaring freedom from British op- pression received with signal demonstrations of the hearty approval and exultation of the people: and Georgia was classed as a free state, leagued with the other twelve for active measures in maintaining the new relation into which they had entered among the separate political bodies of the world.
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CHAPTER XIX
SAVANNAH HELD BY BRITISH
CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH BY BRITISH-DISPOSITION OF AMERICAN FORCES- THE BRITISH ENTER SAVANNAH-PROCLAMATION OF ROYALISTS-COM- ING OF THE FRENCHI FLEET-D'ESTAING DEMANDS SURRENDER OF SAVANNAH-BRITISH DEFENCE OF SAVANNAH-COMBINED FRENCH- AMERICAN ADVANCE-ALLIED FORCES BOMBARD SAVANNAH-HUMAN- ITY AND OBSTINACY-DISASTER TO THE ALLIES-COUNT PULASKI'S DEATH WOUND -- THE SIEGE FROM A BRITISH STANDPOINT ..
Having passed from a province, subject to the laws and regulations adopted by a legislative body whose acts were enforced only after ap- proval by the royal authority of England, to a free and independent state, it became necessary that Georgia should have a constitution of her own, and, to that end. President Bulloch issued a proclamation calling for a general election of representatives to meet in Savannah on the first Tuesday in October, 1776. Elections were held in the various parishes from the first to the 10th of September.
True to the principles actuating the electors in choosing them, the delegates met at the appointed time in Savannah, and the importance of the matter committed to them was so apparent that their delibera- tions were well considered and carefully planned, so that a constitution entirely satisfactory to all was not completed until the 5th of February, 1777, and at that time the instrument then adopted and promulgated met the hearty approval and indorsement of convention and the mass of the people. Under it Georgia acted and was sustained as a common- wealth for twelve successive years.
President Archibald Bulloch did not live to see the independence of the state and the Union acknowledged by England, for before the end of the month in which the first state constitution in the adoption of which he had taken a leading part had been made public, he died literally "in harness," and the monring of the people was genuine and unal- loyed. His successor, Button Gninnett, did not long hold office. Elected on the 4th of March, only to serve until the choosing of a governor under the terms of the new constitution, he sought the position of commander under the resolution of the assembly in the formation of a brigade on the continental establishment, but was defeated by Col. Lachlan Me- Intosh with whom he sought a quarrel and by whom he was mortally wounded in a duel on the 16th of May following, dying from said wound twelve days afterwards.
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CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH BY THE BRITISH
It is needless to recount the various historical incidents in the state prior to the taking of Savannah by Lieut-Col. Archibald Campbell, late in 1778. They do not form a part of the history of Savannah.
The autumn of that year brought with it the alteration in the plan of Lord George Germain in the matter of conducting the warfare on the colonies. Active measures were employed in the effort to force back the allegiance of Georgia and South Carolina whereby Gen. Augustine Prevost was to invade the former by leading an expedition from East Florida, and at the same time Colonel Campbell, with a force proceeding from New York, was to make a direct attack npon Savannah. This plan, it was thought, would bring Georgia to an immediate surrender. The appearance of some vessels, the forerunners of Campbell's fleet, at Tybee at the opening of December was the first intimation of his proposed invasion. The weather was threatening, and the consequent return to deep water of those vessels, caused the fear of the Georgians to subside, and the impression that no danger confronted the city so possessed the mind of the governor that he even ordered the return of the public records which, for safety, had been removed; but before the order could be obeyed the fleet reappeared when Captain Milton was despatched to Charleston with the precious archives. Colonel Campbell's report on this subject shows that he sailed from Sandy Hook November 27. 1778. and that his force consisted of the Seventy-first Regiment of foot. two battalions of Hessians, four battalions of provincials. and a detachment of the royal artillery, under escort of a squadron of the royal navy commanded by Commodore Parker. On the 23d of December all of the ships, except two horse sloops, were anchored off Tybee, and on the 27th they were safely lying in the Savannah river.
Sir James Baird was the commander of a light company of the Seventy-first Highlanders, and to his band one corps of the light infan- try of the provincial battalions was attached, while another corps of the provincials was added to the company of the Highland Regiment under Captain Cameron. Acting cautiously, in his ignorance of the strength of the Americans, Baird's company, guided by Lieutenant Clarke of the navy, and manning two flatboats, proceeded to Wilmington river where two men were captured, and on their information it was decided that a landing of the troops should be made the next morning at the planta- tion of Mr. Girardeau, now known as Brewton Hill, less than two miles from the town, and the first solid ground available for the purpose be- tween Savannah and Tybee. With the flow of the tide the man-of war Vigilant, galley Comet, armed brig Keppel and the armed sloop Greenwich, leading, and followed by the transports in three divisions, sailed up the river, and at four o'clock in the afternoon the Vigilant on approaching the Girardeau place was fired ou by two galleys com- manded by the Americans which retreated when the war vessels opened on them with one shot. Delayed until the tide was too low, and dark- ness coming on, the troops could not be landed until the morning fol- lowing when the first division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland. debarked at Girardean's and made its way by a march of about eight
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hundred yards over a narrow causeway to the family residence, standing on a bhiff. The first to reach shore and proceed towards the high ground was the light infantry under Captain Cameron; but at the point which he proposed to reach a force of forty men commanded by Capt. John C. Smith, of South Carolina, was stationed, and that body opened fire upon the British killing Cameron and two Highlanders, and wounding five others; but the Americans were forced to retire in the direction of the main army, and the first division of the British troops with one of the companies of the second battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment. the first battalion of Delancey, the Wellworth battalion, and part of Hessians of Wissenbach's regiment occupied the bluff. Leaving a. company of the second battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment, and the first battalion of Delancey to guard the landing place, Colonel Campbell marehed his forces towards Savannah, the light infantry in the lead. followed by the volunteers from New York, and then came the first battalion of the Sev- enty-first Regiment with two six-pounder guns, and the Wellworth bat- talion of Hessians with two three-pounders. the rear being brought up with part of the Wissenbach IIessian battalion. The main road, when reached. was gnarded by the last named against any attack from the rear. A swamp, densely wooded, protected the left of the British line, while the open plantations on the right in a state of cultivation, were patroled by the light infantry. When Tattnall's plantation was reached, a little before three o'clock in the afternoon, a stop was made in the progress of the march, and the light infantry was formed in line on the right, at a point about two hundred paces from the gate enclosing the grounds belonging to Governor Wright.
DISPOSITION OF AMERICAN FORCES
Informing himself of all the movements of the British, Gen. Robert Howe encamped his army of Americans at a point southeast of Savannah where he waited. anxiously expecting reinforcements from South Car- olina, both of continental troops and militia. His army was in no eon- dition for the coming encounter, having just passed through the un- happy Florida campaign which brought sickness and disease to about one-fourth of his troops. and left him at this time with only a numerical strength of 672, exchisive of the militia. The troops of Colonel Camp- bell, on the other hand, numbered more than two thousand. Notice of the fact that a conflict was imminent was given on the 28th of December, and on the next day this order was issned to the American forces :
"Head Quarters, Savannah, December 29, 1778.
"Parole, Firmness. The first brigade is to be told off into sixteen platoons of an equal number of files; the odd files to be formed into one platoon on the right wing of the brigade to aet as light infantry aecord- ing to exigencies.
"Two field officers to be appointed to the command of the right wing of both brigades.
"The second brigade to be told off into eight platoons of an equal number of files to be formed on the left of the first brigade in order to aet as light infantry as will be directed.
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"Colonel Isaac Huger will command the right wing of the army composed of the first brigade and the light troops belonging to it.
"The artillery of both brigades and the park to be posted before and during the action as shall be directed, and defend their ground until further orders. The artillery when ordered or forced to retreat are to fall into the road leading to the western defile where Colonel Roberts is to take as advantageous a post as possible to protect the re- treat of the line."
At that date there were three highways leading into Savannah: the one from Thunderbolt and Brewton Hill; that by which the Ogeechee and White Bluff population made their way into the town; and one running from the west known as the Augusta road, leading through the swampy ground bordering on Musgrove creek.
Col. Samuel Elbert called the attention of General Howe to the great importance of holding Brewton Hill, and offered his aid in gaining con- trol of that point, but Howe did not comprehend the importance of the suggestion, and most foolishly made his stand at a point not far from the southeastern limit of Savannah, probably the most disadvantageous that could have been chosen.
The most condensed account of the fall of Savannah. and. at the same time, probably as accurate as any we have, is given by Bishop W. B. Stevens whose narrative from this point follows:
"Expecting the attack on the great road leading to Brewton's Hill [Girardeau's plantation]. General Howe had burnt down a little bridge that crossed a small rivulet: and about three hundred feet in the rear of this marshy rivulet, a trench was cut which soon filled with water, so that the trench, the stream and the marsh through which it flowed. of- fered serious embarrassment to the advance of the enemy. At this point General Howe had placed two cannon that flanked the causeway, and three that bore directly on its front. Thus stationed, the Americans awaited the onset.
"Colonel Campbell had discovered their position, and having de- tailed a proper gnard to cover the landing, pressed on to the attack. The light infantry, under Sir James Baird, advanced first, supported by the New York volunteers. under De Laneey. These were followed by the first battalion of the 71st, with two six-pounders; and part of Wissenbach's battalion of Hessians which formed the rear. By 3 P. M. they had reached the open country near Tattnall's plantation, and halted awhile, as if preparing for the battle.
"Advantageously posted as the Americans were, it would have been quite hazardous to have offered them battle in front, for they were too well protected by the intervening marsh and stream and ditch. The aim of Colonel Campbell. therefore, was to gain, if possible, their rear. or turn their extended flanks. In this desire he was fortunately aided by an old negro. Quash Dolly." who informed him of a private path. leading through the wooded swamp, by which he could gain. unperceived. the rear of the Americans. This path had been pointed out to General Howe, in the morning, by Colonel Walton. as being a place necessary
* Called by other writers Quamino Dolly.
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to guard and secure ; but it was culpably and, as the event proved. disas- trously neglected. Manoeuvering in front, as if about to attack the left flank of General Howe, the Americans opened their fire upon the enemy, who, however, received it in silence, not a gun being fired in return. Perceiving the Americans thus deceived by the feint, the British com- mander lost no time in directing Sir James Baird, with the light infan- try and the New York volunteers, to follow the guidance of the negro, and secure the rear of the Americans. They reached their destined point, unperceived by General Howe, and suddenly issuing from the swamp attacked a body of militia which had been posted on the great road leading to the Ogeechee. As soon as this firing gave notice to the commander that Major Baird had effected his purpose, he gave orders for the whole British column to advance at a rapid pace; while the artillery, which had been previously formed behind a slight rising ground, to conceal it from view, was instantly run forward to the em- inenee, and began to play upon the Americans. With a destruetive fire thus unexpectedly pouring in upon them in front and rear our troops were thrown into confusion, and thus were compelled to make a hasty re- treat. The center of the American line, with the commanding general, were enabled, by the exertions of Col. Daniel Roberts-who had partially secured the road leading to the eauseway over Musgrove's swamp-to pass in comparative safety; the right flank. under Colonel Huger, at- tempting to go through the town, rushed between two fires, and many were bayoneted in the streets; the left, under Colonel Elbert, finding it, impraetieable to pass the causeway, now in possession of the British, cast away their arms and accontrements, and. throwing themselves into the swamps and ricefields, sought. by swimming the ereek, then in full tide, to reach the Augusta road, though thirty men lost their lives in this perilous attempt.
"While Colonel Campbell had been thus successful by land, Sir Hyde Parker had not remitted his vigilance in the fleet. As soon as he dis- covered that the troops had made an impression on the American line, he moved up the small armed vessels to the town, sending the 'Comet' galley as high up as the ebb-tide would permit, seeuring the shipping and commanding the town from all approaches on the Carolina side. This movement completely shut in Savannah from suecor, and was effected with the loss of only one seaman killed and five wounded ; while the squadron captured one hundred and twenty-six prisoners and seized three ships, three brigs, and eight smaller vessels.
THE BRITISH ENTER SAVANNAH
"The British entered Savannah without opposition, and. notwith- standing the assurance of Colonel Campbell in his official dispatches, 'that little or no depredation took place, and that even less than had ever happened to a town under similar circumstances.' yet the soldiers and officers did commit atrocities and cruelties upon the inhabitants of a character more worthy of savages than of men."
The loss to the Americans was, according to Colonel Campbell, in his report to Lord George Germain, eighty-three who were found dead
4
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upon the common, and eleven wounded. He also stated that through prisoners he had the information that thirty were drowned in the swamp while trying to escape. Besides the loss in killed and wounded, the Americans had thirty-eight officers and 415 non-commissioned officers and privates fall in to the hands of the enemy as prisoners, and the loss of property also was great, including forty-eight pieces of cannon, twenty-three mortars, ninety-four barrels of powder, a fort, and all of the shipping in port. Numbered among the prisoners were the ' Rev. Moses Allen, chaplain of the Georgia brigade, and the Hon. Jon- athan Bryan whose patriotism was unbounded and whose example was such as many younger men would have done well to imitate. The former was captured in an attempt to escape capture by swimming to land. Others captured were Mordecai Sheftall, deputy commissary general of issues to the continental troops, his son, Sheftall Sheftall, Edward Davis, Dr. George Wells. David Moses Vallotton, and James Bryan, son of Jonathan Bryan. These were all sent on board prison- ships and they were submitted to the most cruel and inhuman treatment. The names of the ships were the "Nancy," Captain Samuel Tait; the "Whitby," Captain Lawson; the "Eleanor," Captain Rathbone, and the "Munificence."
General Howe was on all sides censured and criticised for the man- ner in which he managed his side of that affair, and the general assembly of the state appointed a committee "to take into consideration the sit- uation of the state since the 29th of December, 1778," which reported as follows: "Your Committee are of opinion that the delegates of this State should be directed to promote a trial of Major-General Howe who commanded on that day. They find that the good people of the state were still further discouraged by the said Major-General Howe crossing Savannah River the next day with the troops that escaped from Savan- nah, and ordering those at Sunbury and Augusta to do the same, leaving the state at the mercy of the enemy without any Continental troops. instead of retreating to the back country and gathering the inhabitants. The country, thus abandoned, became an easy prey to the British troops. they marching up and taking post at Augusta and sending detachments to every part of the State." General Howe's conduct was investigated by a court of inquiry, but he was acquitted.
Savannah having fallen into the control of the British, and Governor Wright being still in England, the command was given to a military officer, Colonel Innis, aide-de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton. His military spirit was shown by an immediate proclamation ordering the citizens of the district. including the town, to surrender to the military store- keeper all their arms, ammunition, and aceoutrements. as well as to make known where such articles were secreted, threatening them with severe punishment in case of failure to comply with the requirements.
PROCLAMATION OF ROYALISTS
Combining their anthority in one general order. Lientenant-Colonel Campbell and Sir Hyde Parker, on the 4th of January, 1779, published the fact that a fleet and army were actually within the borders of
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Georgia for the protection of the friends of the royal government, and pledging protection to all who would renounce their allegianee to the cause of liberty and to those "who reprobated the idea of supporting a French leagne, and wished to embrace the happy oeeasion of cementing a firm union with the Parent State free from the imposition of taxes by the Parliament of Great Britain, and secured in the irrevocable en- joyment of every privilege consistent with that union of foree on which their material interests depended"; and such as should be willing to secure the rights promised by that document were expected to present themselves in person at Savannah and take the oath prepared for that purpose in these words: "I do solemnly swear that I will bear true and faithful allegianee to his Majesty, King George the Third, my lawful Sovereign, and that I will. at all risks, stand forth in support of his person and government. And I do solemnly diselaim and renounce that unlawful and iniquitous confederacy called the General Continental Congress, also the claim set up by them to independency, and all obedi- ence to them, and all subordinate jurisdictions assumed by or under their authority. All this I do sincerely promise without equivocation or mental reservation whatsoever. So help me God."
This action was followed a week after by another proclamation offer- ing "a reward of ten guineas for every committee and assemblyman taken within the limits of Georgia," and a further offer of the amount of two guineas "for every lurking villain who might be sent from Carolina to molest the inhabitants." Various other matters, such as fixing the prices of merchandise. granting licenses, naming the amount of fines for disobedience to the regulations, ete., were attended to in the matter of local trade and the conduct of the people, until the return of Sir James Wright on the 14th of July, 1779. Savannah, then, was dur- ing the remainder of the period covered by the Revolution, until its evacuation by the British on the 11th of July, 1782, the headquarters of the loyalist government, and the capital of the state was removed to Augusta.
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