USA > Georgia > A standard history of Georgia and Georgians > Part 22
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On returning to Frederica-his home since 1735-Oglethorpe lay for weeks in the clutches of a slow fever which threatened to end his life. It did leave him weak, emaciated and enfeebled, and he was months in regaining his former strength. But his zeal for the prov- ince was unabated; his vigilance, his enthusiasm, his courage-these knew no weariness. Five reasons are given by an eminent historian for Oglethorpe's failure to reduce St. Augustine :
1. The delay in starting. This was due mainly, if not entirely, to tardiness on the part of the South Carolina authorities in contributing troops and provisions, for which requisition had been made in due sea- son. Upon Oglethorpe's regiment, supported by Indian allies and Georgia colonists, had devolved the brunt of the siege. The Caro- linians, under Colonel Vanderdussen, proved inefficient, turbulent and disobedient.
2. The re-enforcement of St. Augustine with men and supplies from Vol. 1-10
.
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Havana just before the English expedition set out, thereby materially repairing the inequality previously existing.
3. The injudicious movement against Forts Francis de Papa and Diego, which put the Spaniards on the alert, encouraged concentration on their part, and foreshadowed an immediate demonstration in force against their stronghold.
4. The inability of the fleet to participate in the assault previously planned, and which was to have been vigorously undertaken as soon as General Oglethorpe with his land forces came into position before the walls of St. Augustine.
5. The destruction of Colonel Parker's command, thereby enabling the enemy to communicate with and draw supplies from the interior ; the lack of heavy ordinance with which to reduce the castle from the batteries on Anastasia Island; the impossibility of bringing up the larger war vessels to participate in the bombardment; the inefficiency of Colonel Vanderdussen's command; the impatience and disappoint- ment of the Indian allies who anticipated early capture and liberal spoils; hot sun, heavy dews, a debilitating climate, sickness among the troops, the arrival of men, munitions of war, and provisions through the Matanzas River, these in the end rendered quite futile every hope which at the outset had been entertained for a successful prosecution of the siege.# It is needless to add that Oglethorpe was most severely and harshly criticized in England for the failure of the expedition against St. Augustine; but much of this criticism was captious, ill- advised, and unjust.
To prepare for a Spanish invasion, which was now imminent, Ogle- thorpe, on recovering from his malady, employed his regiment in erecting new fortifications. At the same time, old ones were put in repair. But more than a year was destined to elapse before a renewal of hostilities. Taking advantage of the lull, let us contemplate a pic- ture of Georgia's founder drawn by the master-hand of an eminent historian : +
"During these seven years, which constituted the entire life of the colony, General Oglethorpe had enjoyed no respite from his labors. Personally directing all movements, supervising the location, and pro- viding for the comfort, safety, and good order of the settlers, accommo- dating their differences. encouraging and directing their labors, propitiating the aborigines, influencing necessary supplies and inaugu- rating suitable defenses, he had been constantly passing from point to point, finding no rest for the soles of his feet. Now in tent at Savan- nah, now in open boat reconnoitring the coast, now upon the southern islands, his only shelter the wide-spreading live-oak, designating sites for forts and look-outs, and with his own hands planning military works and. laying out villages ; again in journeys oft along the Savannah, the Great Ogeechee, the Altamaha, the St. John and far off into the heart of the Indian country; frequently inspecting his advanced posts, undertaking voyages to Charlestown and to England in behalf af the trust, and engaged in severe contests with the Spaniards, his life had
* Colonel Charles C. Jones in History of Georgia, Vol. I, p. 334.
t Charles C. Jones, Jr., History of Georgia, Vol. I, pp. 336-7.
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been one of incessant activity and solicitude. But for his energy, intelligence, watchfulness, and self-sacrifice, the enterprise must have languished. As we look back upon this period of trial, uncertainty, and poverty, our admiration for his achievements increases the more closely we sean his limited resources and opportunities, the more intelli- gently we appreciate the difficulties he was called upon to surmount. Always present whenever duty called or danger threatened, he never expected others to press on where he himself did not lead.
"The only home he ever owned or claimed in Georgia was on St. Simon's Island. The only hours of leisure he enjoyed were spent in sight and sound of his military works along the southern frontier, upon whose safe tenure depended the salvation of the colony. Just where the military road connecting Fort St. Simon with Frederica, after having traversed the beautiful prairie constituting the common pasture land of the village, entered the woods, General Oglethorpe established his cottage. Adjacent to it were a garden, and an orchard of oranges, figs, and grapes. Magnificent oaks threw their protecting shadows above and around his quiet, pleasant abode, fanned by deli- cious sea-breezes, fragrant with the perfume of flowers, and vocal with the melody of song-birds. To the westward, and in full view, were the fortifications and the white houses of Frederica. Behind rose a dense forest of oaks. 'This cottage and fifty acres of land attached to it,' says the Honorable Thomas Spalding in his 'Sketch of the Life of General James Oglethorpe,' 'was all the landed domain General Ogle- thorpe reserved to himself, and after the General went to England it became the property of my father. . . After the Revolutionary war, the buildings being destroyed, my father sold this little property. But the oaks were only cut down within four or five years past, and the elder people of St. Simon's yet feel as if it were a sacrilege, and mourn their fall.' Here the defenses of St. Simon's Island were under his immediate supervision. His troops were around him, and he was prepared, upon the first note of warning, to concentrate the forces of the colony for active operations. In the neighborhood several of his officers established their homes. Among them, 'Harrington Hall,' the country seat of the wealthy Huguenot, Captain Raymond Demere, inclosed with hedges of cassina, was conspicuous for its beauty and comfort."
To note briefly some of the elements of strength presented by Georgia's southern frontier at this time, the town of Frederica, guarded by a secure fort built of tabby, was a town of probably 1,000 inhab- itants, most of whom were soldiers. On the south point of the island, at the village of St. Simon, was erected a watch-tower, from which the movements of vessels at sea might be conveniently observed and to apprise Oglethorpe of any information gathered from this point of observation there were signal guns mounted to give the alarm and a horseman ready to convey dispatches to headquarters. Vigils were also kept by a party of rangers at Bachelor's Redoubt and by a cor- poral's guard at Pike's Bluff. There was also a canal built to facili- tate communication with Darien. On Jekyll Island, where Captain Horton owned a plantation, defensive works were erected. There was also established here a brewery to supply the troops with beer. On
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Cumberland Island there were three batteries: Fort St. Andrew, Fort William, and a battery on the west to control inland navigation. There was a fort at Darien garrisoned by Highlanders; while on Amelia Island was stationed a guard of Highlanders in scout boats. Such were some of the features in Georgia's plan of defense against the Spaniards.
During the midsummer of 1742 the long-expected Spanish invasion at last materialized, and in the historie battle of Bloody Marsh Ogle- thorpe's crowning service to the colony of Georgia was rendered. The best account of this renowned engagement is from Oglethorpe himself in a letter addressed to the trustees, on July 30, 1742. It is preserved both in the records of the Georgia Historical Society and in the Colonial Records of Georgia .* On account of the far-reaching effect of this battle not only upon the immediate fortunes of Georgia but upon the future destinies of America, Oglethorpe's letter describing this cele- brated encounter is reproduced in full. It is to be regretted that in repelling the Spanish invasion little help was received from South Carolina. The victory was won almost entirely by Georgians. Says Oglethorpe :
"Frederica in Georgia, 30th July, 1742.
"The Spanish Invasion which has long time threatened the Colony, Carolina, and all North America has at last fallen upon us and God hath been our deliverance. General Horcasilas, Governour of the Havannah, ordered those troops who had been employed against Gen- eral Wentworth to embark with Artillery and everything necessary, upon a secret expedition. They sailed with a great fleet : amongst them were two half Galleys carrying 120 men each & an 18 pound Gun. They drew but five feet of water which satisfied me they were for this place. By good great Fortune, one of the half Galleys was wreacked coming out. The Fleet sailed for St. Augustine in Florida. Capt. Homer the latter end of May called here for Intelligence. I acquainted him that the Succours were expected and sent him a Spanish Pilot to shew him where to meet with them. He met with ten sail which had been divided from the Fleet by storm, but having lost 18 men in action against them, instead of coming here for the defence of this Place lie stood again for Charles Town for repair, and I having certain advices of the arrival of the Spanish Fleet at Augustine wrote to the Commander of His Majesty's Ships at Charles Town to come to our assistance.
"I sent Lieut. Maxwell who arrived there and delivered the letters the 12th of June, and afterwards Lieut. Mackay, who arrived and delivered letters on the 20th of June.
"Lieut. Colonel Cook who was then at Charles Town, and was Engineer, hastened to England, and his son-in-law Ensign Eyre, Sub- Engineer, was also in Charles Town, and did not arrive here till the action was over; so, for want of help, I myself was obliged to do the duty of Engineer.
"The Havannah Fleet, being joined by that of Florida, composed 51 sail, with land men on board, a List of whom is annexed: they were
* Georgia Collections III, pp. 133 et seq.
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separated, and I received advice from Capt. Dunbar (who lay at Fort William with the Guard Schooner of 14 Guns and ninety men) that a Spanish Fleet of 14 sail had attempted to come in there, but being drove out by the Cannon of the Fort and Schooner they came in at Cumberland Sound. I sent over Capt. Horton to land the Indians and Troops on Cumberland. I followed myself and was attacked in the Sound, but with two Boats fought my way through. Lieut. Tolson, who was to have supported me with the third and strongest boat, quitted me in the fight and run into a River where he hid himself till next day when he returned to St. Simon's with an account that I was lost but soon after found. I was arrived there before him, for which misbehaviour I put him in arrest and ordered him to be tryed. The Enemy in this action suffered so much that the day after they ran out to sea and returned for St. Augustine and did not join their Fleet till after their Grenadiers were beat by Land.
"I drew the Garrison from St. Andrews, reinforced Fort William, and returned to St. Simon's with the Schooner.
"Another Spanish Fleet appeared the 28th off the Barr: by God's blessing upon several measures taken I delayed their coming in till the 5th of July. I raised another Troop of Rangers which with the other were of great service.
"I took Capt. Thomson's ship into the service for defence of the Harbour. I embargoe'd all the Vessells, taking their men for the service, and gave large gifts and promises to the Indians so that every day we increased in numbers. I gave large rewards to men who dis- tinguished themselves upon any service, freed the servants, brought down the Highland Company, and Company of Boatmen, filled up as far as we had guns. All the vessells being thus prepared on the 5th of July with a leading Gale and Spring Tide 36 sail of Spanish vessels run into the Harbour in line of Battle.
"We cannonaded them very hotly from the Shipping and Bat- terys. They twice attempted to board Capt. Thomson but were repulsed. They also attempted to board the Schooner, but were repulsed by Capt. Dunbar with a Detachment of the Regiment on board.
"I was with the Indians, Rangers, and Batterys, and sometimes on board the ships, and left Major Heron with the Regiment. It being impossible for me to do my duty as General and be constantly with the Regiment, therefore it was absolutely necessary for His Majesty's service to have a Lieut. Colonel present, which I was fully convinced of by this day's experience. I therefore appointed Major Heron to be Lieut. Colonel, and hope that your Grace will move His Majesty to be pleased to approve the same.
"The Spaniards after an obstinate Engagement of four hours, in which they lost abundance of men, passed all out Batterys and Ship- ping and got out of shot of them towards Frederica. Our Guard Sloop was disabled and sunk; one of our Batterys blown up, and also some of our Men on board Capt. Thomson, upon which I called a Council of War at the head of the Regiment where it was unanimously resolved to march to Frederica to get there before the enemy and defend that
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Place : & To destroy all the provisions, Vessels, Artillery, &c., at St. Simon's that they might not fall into the Enemy's hands.
"This was accordingly executed, having first drawn all the Men on shoar which before had defended the shipping. I myself staid till the last, and the wind coming fortunately about I got Capt. Thomp- son's Ship, our Guard Schooner, and our Prize Sloop to sea and sent them to Charles Town. This I did in the face and spite of thirty-six sail of the Enemy : as for the rest of the Vessells, I could not save them, therefore was obliged to destroy them.
"I must recommend to His Majesty the Merchants who are sufferers thereby, since their loss was in great measure the preserving the Province.
"We arrived at Frederica, and the Enemy landed at St. Simon's.
"On the 7th a party of their's marched toward the Town: our Rangers discovered them and brought an account of their march, on which I advanced with a party of Indians, Rangers, and the Highland Company, ordering the Regiment to follow, being resolved to engage them in the Defiles of the Woods before they could get out and form in the open Grounds. I charged them at the head of our Indians, Highland Men and Rangers, and God was pleased to give us so much success that we entirely routed the first party, took one Captain pris- oner, and killed another, and pursued them two miles to an open Meadow or Savannah, upon the edge of which I posted three Platoons of the Regiment and the Company of Highland foot so as to be covered by the woods from the Enemy who were obliged to pass thro' the Meadow under our fire. This disposition was very fortunate. Capt. Antonio Barba and two other Captains with 100 Grenadiers and 200 foot, besides Indians and Negroes, advanced from the Spanish Camp into the Savannah with Huzzah's and fired with great spirit, but not seeing our men by reason of the woods, none of their shot took place, but ours did.
"Some Platoons of ours in the heat of the fight, the air being dark- ened with the smoak, and a shower of rain falling, retired in disorder.
"I hearing the firing, rode towards it, and at near two miles from the place of Action, met a great many men in disorder who told me that ours were routed and Lieut. Sutherland killed. I ordered them to halt and march back against the Enemy, which orders Capt. Demere and Ensign Gibbon obeyed, but another Officer did not, but made the best of his way to Town. As I heard the fire continue I concluded our Men could not be quite beaten, and that my immediate assistance might preserve them: therefore spurred on and arrived just as the fire was done. I found the Spaniards intirely routed by one Platoon of the Regiment, under the Command of Lieut. Sutherland, and the Highland Company under the Command of Lieut. Charles Mackay.
"An Officer whom the Prisoners said was Capt. Don Antonio Barba was taken Prisoner, but desperately wounded, and two others were prisoners, and a great many dead upon the spot. Lieut. Sutherland, Lieut. Charles MacKay and Sergt. Stuart having distinguished them- selves upon this occasion, I appointed Lieutenant Sutherland Brigade Major, and Sergt. Stuart second Ensign.
"Capt. Demere and Ensign Gibbon being arrived with the men
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they had rallied, Lieut. Cadogan with an advaneed party of the Regi- ment, and soon after the whole Regiment, Indians, and Rangers, I marched down to a causeway over a marsh very near the Spanish Camp over which all were obliged to pass, and thereby stopt those who had been dispersed in the fight in the Savannah from getting to the Span- ish Camp. Having passed the night there, the Indian scouts in the morning advanced to the Spanish Camp and discovered they were all retired into the ruins of the Fort and were making Intrenehments under shelter of the cannon of the ships. That they guessed them to be above 4,000 men. I thought it imprudent to attack them defended by Cannon with so small a number but marched baek to Frederiea to refresh the soldiers, and sent out Partys of Indians and Rangers to harrass the Enemy. I also ordered into arrest the offieers who eom- manded the Platoons that retired.
"I appointed a General Staff: Lieut. Hugh Mackay and Lieut. Maxwell Aids de Camp, and Lieut. Sutherland Brigade Major. On ye 11th of July the Great Galley and two little ones came up the river towards the Town. We fired at them with the few Guns so warmly that they retired, and I followed them with our boats till they got under the eannon of their ships which lay in the sound.
"Having intelligenee from the Spanish Camp that they had lost 4 Captains and upwards of 200 men in the last Action, besides a great many killed in the sea-fight, and several killed in the night by the Indians even within or near the camp, and that they had held a Couneil of War in which there were great divisions, insomuch that the Forees of Cuba separated from those of Augustine and the Italiek Regiment of Dragoons separated from them both at distance from the rest near the woods and that there was a general Terror amongst them, upou which I was resolved to beat up their Quarters in the night and marching down with the largest body of men I could make, I halted within a mile and a half of their eamp to form, intending to leave the Troops there till I had well reconitred the Enemy's disposition.
"A French Man who without my knowledge was come down amongst the volunteers fired his Gun and deserted. Our Indians in vain pur- sued and could not take him. Upon this, concluding we were discovered, I divided the Drums in different parts and beat the Grenadiers march for about half an hour, then ceased, and we marched back with silence.
"The next day I prevailed with a prisoner, and gave him a sum of money to earry a letter privately and deliver it to that French Man who had deserted. This letter was wrote in French as if from a friend of his, telling him he had received the money; that he should strive to make the Spaniards believe the English were weak. That he should undertake to pilot up their boats and Galleys and then bring them under the Woods he knew the Hidden Batterys were; that if he could bring that about, he should have double the reward he had already received. That the French Deserters should have all that had been promised to them. The Spanish Prisoner got into their Camp and was immediately earried before their General Don Manuel de Montiano. He was asked how he eseaped and whither he had any letters, but denying his having any, was strictly searched and the letter found, and he upon being par- doned, confessed that he had received money to deliver it to the French-
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man, for the letter was not directed. The Frenchman denied his know- ing anything of the contents of the letter or having received any money or correspondence with me, notwithstanding which, a Council of War was held and they deemed the French Man to be a double spy, but Gen- eral Montiano would not suffer him to be executed, having been employed by him; however they imbarqued all their Troops, and halted under Jekyll; they also confined all the French on board and imbarked with such precipitation that they left behind them Cannon, &c., and those dead of their wounds, unburied. The Cuba Squadron stood out to sea to the number of 20 sail; General Montiano with the Augustine Squadron returned to Cumberland Sound, having burnt Captain Horton's houses, &c., on Jekyll. I, with our boats, followed him. I discovered a great many sail under Fort St. Andrew, of which eight appeared to me plain, but being too strong for me to attack, I sent the Scout Boats back.
"I went with my own Cutter and landed a man on Cumberland who carried a letter from me to Lieut. Stuart at Fort William with orders to defend himself to the last extremity.
"Having discovered our Boats & believing we had landed Indians in the night they set sail with great haste, in so much that not having time to imbarque, they killed 40 horses which they had taken there, and burnt the houses. The Galleys and Small Craft to the number of fifteen went thro' the inland Water Passages. They attempted to land near Fort William, but were repulsed by the Rangers; they then attacked it with Cannon and small Arms from the water for three Hours, but the place was so bravely defended by Lieut. Alexander Stuart that they were repulsed and ran out to sea where twelve other sail of Spanish vessels had lain at anchor without the Barr during the Attack without stirring ; but the Galleys being chased out, they hoisted all the sails they could and stood to the Southward. I followed them with the Boats to Fort William, and from thence sent out the Rangers and some Boats who followed them to Saint John's, but they went off rowing and sail- ing to St. Augustine.
"After the news of their defeat in the Grenadier Savannah arrived at Charles Town, the Men of War and a number of Carolina People raised in a hurry set out and came off this Barr after the Spaniards had been chased quite out of this Colony, where they dismissed the Carolina vessels, and Capt. Hardy promised in his letters to cruise off St. Augustine.
"We have returned thanks to God for our deliverance, have set all the hands I possibly could to work upon the Fortifications, and have sent to the Northward to raise men ready to form another Battalion against His Majesty's Orders shall arrive for that purpose. I have retained Thompson's ship, have sent for Cannon shott, &c., for Provisions and all kinds of stores since I expect the Enemy who (tho' greatly terrified) lost but few men in comparison of their great numbers, as soon as they have recovered their fright will attack us with more caution and better discipline.
"I hope His Majesty will approve the measures I have taken and I must entreat Your Grace to lay my humble request before His Majesty that he would graciously pleased to order Troops, Artillery and other Necessarys sufficient for the defence of this Frontier and the neighbor-
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ing Provinces, or give such direction as His Majesty shall think proper, and I do not doubt but with a moderate support not only to be able to defend these Provinces, the same numbers they had in this expedition."
To this interesting narrative we append, without comment, two con- temporaneous accounts, eopies from documents on file in the Public Record Offiee, in London, and found among the Shaftesbury Papers:
"The following particular Account of the Spaniards invading Georgia was received by Messrs. Skinner & Simson, Merchants in Lon- don, from Mr. John Smith, who was then on board the Success Frigate, Captain William Thomson, dated at Charles Town in South Carolina, the 14th of July last :
" 'This serves to inform you of my safe arrival in Georgia after a Passage of 10 weeks. We met no Molestation from the Privateers in our way, nor could make no Prizes, tho' we pursued and brought to several Vessels. Our People were all healthy 'till the last three weeks of our Passage, when a Malignant Fever eame amongst them and sweeped away several Soldiers, and the best part of our Ship's Company with out Chief Mate, Carpenter, and Boatswain. I was also visited, but got well over it.
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