Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 12

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 12

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Before adjourning, the provincial congress unanimously entered into an association in behalf of the province, under a strong declaration, tantamount to secession from British control, worded as follows: "Georgia, being persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of the inhabitants, in its vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of the powers of government; we, the freemen, free- holders, and inhabitants of the province of Georgia, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts bay, do, in the most solemn manner,

MILITARY HISTORY.

resolve never to become slaves; and do associate under all the ties of religion and honor and love to our country to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever may be recommended by the continental congress or resolved upon by our provincial convention appointed for preserving our constitution and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional princi- ples, which we most ardently desire, can be obtained."

The spirit of resistance to British authority manifested itself in many violent demonstrations. In October, 1775, Gov. Wright directed a muster in honor of the king, but instead of loyal compliance the people made effigies of obnoxious royalists and burned them in the streets of Savannah. A large number of "Liberty Boys" assembled a few months later and threatened the governor with personal violence if he attempted to issue the odious stamps which had recently arrived. A consid- erable company, consisting of about 200 men coming from adjacent settlements paraded the commons near the city, clamoring for redress with such demonstrations that the governor marched against them with his regulars, rangers and seamen, and forced them to retire.

The excited state of the people of Savannah may be judged from other incidents occurring at the time, one of which was the seizure and dismounting of the guns on the battery. Gov. Wright had published directions for the celebration of his majesty's birthday, with the usual ceremonies, but on the night of June 2 a body of citizens dismounted the cannon, and after spiking all the guns, dragged them down the bluff, where they were found next day, and with some difficulty the spikes were removed, the guns reinstated in position, and made sullenly to sound the prescribed salutes.

GOVERNOR FLEES.

During the ferment existing in Savannah several ships of war appeared at Tybee and increased the popular fear. It was conjectured that they were sent at the instigation of Gov. Wriglit, to overawe the "Sons of Liberty," and in order to prevent him from communicating with the fleet it was determined by a small body of patriots to hold him as a prisoner. The party, led by Habersham and Milledge, entered the house of the governor, and politely making known their purpose, proposed to leave him at his own house protected by a guard at the door. The governor, however, eluded the sentinel after the departure of his captors, and making his escape to Bonaventure, obtained a boat and was rapidly rowed to the warship "Scarborough."

The flight of the royal governor brought the revolution in Georgia to a crisis. The province was left nearly without any organized government, as the general assembly had been dissolved, and the provincial congress had assembled by only a revolutionary authority. But on the departure of the governor, a provisional government was rapidly organized under a written agreement entered into by delegates from the parishes, which provided a method of electing new delegates by all the parishes, "to meet in one body or council, to be styled a provincial congress, who shall act in all cases whatsoever for the good of the common cause." After adopting this primitive method of forming a government of the people, the congress still in session provided for the protection of the commonwealth, until a new election could be held, and after their issuing an address to the inhabitants of the province of Georgia, dissolved itself. In this address they set forth that "a civil war in America is begun. Several engagements have already happened. The friends of America were in hopes that British troops could not be induced to slay

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA

their brothers. It is, however, done, and the circumstances are such as must be an everlasting blot on their character for humanity and generosity."

NEW CONSTITUTION IS DRAFTED.

The committee which was appointed to draft a constitution for a provisional government published a form which provided for election of delegates, the election by ballot of the next congress, of a president and commander-in-chief for six months, also a council of safety, who together with the five members of the continental congress from Georgia would constitute a privy council to the president. Ample powers were conferred on the president, subject to the advice of the privy council, and all legislative powers were reserved to the provincial congress. Former colonial laws were continued in force, and the congress was required to elect a full judiciary. Thus the new government of the province was launched under trying circumstances. The population of the entire province did not exceed 3,000 men, and they were generally poor. The arms were fewer than the men who could bear them, and were of an inferior kind. Munitions of war were scant indeed, discipline and drill little understood, but the people had been inured to danger, their hearts were inflamed with the love of liberty, and they were led by a number of intrepid men.

There were two general lines of settlement; one a narrow strip extending along the coast from Savannah to the Florida line, and the other up the Savannah river beyond Augusta. On the south of the province the Spanish state of Florida contained an unfriendly people, with whom serious difficulties had at times occurred, and several hundred regular, well-equipped Spanish soldiers were in garrison at St. Augustine. The Creeks, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Cherokee Indians hovered on the west and north, in dangerous unknown numbers. Five British ships of war, the "Syren," the "Cherokee," the "Raven," the "Tamar," and the "Scarborough," with Gov. Wright, the refugee, on board, rode threateningly at the Tybee inlet, with two transports, carrying over 300 well-armed men. Another small force had landed at Cockspur Island and were ready for action. No assist- ance could be expected from the small continental force now gathering to defend the northern colonies, and South Carolina, the near neighbor, was already "drained of men" for its own defense.

PLAN OF MILITARY ORGANIZATION.

The military organization of the times was modeled on the European plan, and the orders for recruiting companies and battalions were duly issued, but money was sadly lacking to provide for their subsistence. Clothing for troops was hard to get, and imported goods of all kinds had advanced in price 300 per cent. "Our currency," said Col. McIntosh, "passed in no other colony than our own, and we have received very little continental money as yet." But a battalion upon the continental plan, composed of eight companies, was raised subject to the control of the Georgia provincial congress, except "where such control should interfere with the orders of the general congress or a committee thereof." Lachlan McIntosh was appointed colonel, Samuel Elbert lieutenant-colonel, and Joseph Habersham major. Col. McIntosh promptly addressed a communication to Gen. George Washington, in which, describing the condition of the province, and the dangers which threatened it, he asked for directions, and naively remarked that the provin- cial congress had chosen all other officers, but neglected to provide surgeons. He would, therefore, take the liberty of appointing "surgeons to those battalions, which are so indispensably necessary." The courageous colonel evidently intended to lead his brave command into danger. In addition to this infantry battalion several

MILITARY HISTORY.

mounted companies were raised to patrol the coast, and to defend the western limit of the settlement from the Indians. The enlistments of these troops were generally for twelve months, although some were received for a shorter time. The pay for enlistment was fixed at $8 for each man. The infantry total amounted to about 360 officers and men, and the troops of horse to perhaps half that number. Less than 500 soldiers were mustered by April 1, 1776, and the arms and accoutrements were insufficient for even half that number. As for artillery, the guns which the patriots had dismounted and spiked were in position on the bluff, and a small battery was placed at Trustee's garden below Savannah. Not one ship of war to protect the scores of open inlets belonging to the new government. "Several armed vessels," as McIntosh wrote to Washington, "infest our inlets southward, and have made several captures, which we cannot prevent, as we have not a single vessel of any force; but they have always been driven off the shore when they attempted to get a supply of provisions."

OPENING OF THE WAR.

Such was the military state of the province when it entered into the confedera- tion of colonies to resist the oppressions of Great Britain. Armed with flint-lock muskets of small bore, and with long-barreled rifles which they loaded from the muzzle by the use of the ramrod; equipped with powder horn, charges made of cane for loading, bullet molds and wadding, but bravely arrayed in homespun of blue, and belted with cutlass and broadsword by the side, cockade on the hat and courage in the heart, these revolutionary soldiers marched to the music of fife and drum into battle for freedom against all the power of England.

The British war upon America was at this time directing its force mainly upon the colonies upon the northern coast, but in 1776 Sir Henry Clinton turned his attention southward to begin operations against the Carolinas and Georgia. A resolute attempt was made to occupy Charleston, but the city was so well defended by Fort Moultrie on Sullivan island that the assault failed. This unsuccessful venture was followed by many annoying attacks all along the southern coast. Several vessels of war "spread terror along the coast," until the career of three of them was arrested by their valorous capture by Gen. Elbert, off the coast near Brunswick, April 19, 1778. Information being brought to Elbert of the presence of these vessels, he detached 300 men, and placing them and two pieces of artillery on board three small galleys, the "Washington," Capt. Hardy; the "Lee," Capt. Braddock; the "Bulloch," Capt. Hatcher, he arrived opposite St. Simon's island late in the evening, and next morning bravely sailed out to attack the three large vessels which prepared to receive him. "You may imagine what my feelings were," said the chivalric Elbert, "to see our three little men-of-war going on to the attack of these three large vessels, which have spread terror upon our coast and were drawn up in order of battle." The gallant attack was made by the little Georgia navy with great spirit. Their shot from the guns poured upon the wooden sides of the ships, and they steadily stood the return fire. Moving closer they used the musket and rifle, as well as cannon, with such disastrous effect that the British began to fly to their boats and abandoncd the vessels with everything on board. The captured ships and prisoners were put in charge of the brave Col. White, who had acted with conspicuous courage. The event elated the hopes of the Georgia province, and gave the several scttlements along the coast greater assurance of being protected from the British raids, which had heretofore alarmed them so greatly.

EVENTS IN GEORGIA.

The county of Liberty had a most glorious record for its patriotic endurance of suffering during this, as well as other years of the revolution. The name was

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

bestowed upon the parish in 1777 on account of the patriotism of its people. Its ancient town of Sunbury and Midway church were the scenes of a battle in 1778, in which the place was taken by the British after a most gallant defense. Sunbury, built on a high bluff, bade fair to become a flourishing port. It was occupied by a small body of intelligent inhabitants, engaged in agriculture and trade, who for protection against the Indians and all other foes built a fort and manned it with a few guns, but depended most on their own trusty rifles and muskets. On account of the many incursions attempted by the British, and the apprehension that this inlet would be entered, Gen. John McIntosh and Col. James Screven were sent to Fort Morris at Sunbury with American troops for its defense. The British, under command of Col. Fuser, very soon marched against the fort with a largely superior force, which was divided into four bodies, and captured the upper part of the town. Col. Fuser, commanding the advance, dispatched a note to McIntosh, calling his attention to the large force which now invested the fort, and demanded surrender upon conditions that the Americans would lay down their arms and remain neutral until the fate of America was determined. To this note McIntosh returned immediate reply that "we would rather perish in a vigorous defense than accept your proposals. We, sir, are fighting the battles of America, and therefore disdain to remain neutral till its fate is determined. As to surrendering the fort, receive this reply, Come and take it." In the meantime Col. Browne was ordered by Gen. Prevost to meet the Americans, who were reported as coming under Screven to the assistance of the garrison at Sunbury, and placing his command in ambush he surprised the troops under Screven with a sudden and murderous fire, from which the brave Screven fell mortally wounded, and his command retreated. The loyalists used their success in Liberty county to inflict great calamities on the patriots and their families, destroying their property and dragging their families into captivity.

In the latter part of 1779 Col. Campbell was ordered by Gen. Clinton to attack Savannah in association with Admiral Parker, and aided by the forces under Gen. Prevost. Col. Campbell's well-equipped command consisted of one regiment of British regulars, two battalions of Hessians, four battalions of provincials, and a battery of artillery, all of which were borne by transports to Tybee island. A fleet of ten ships under command of Admiral Parker accompanied the expedition to take an active part in the assault. The British force was over 2,000, and the continental defenders of Savannah were about 900. Without delay the British began to ascend the river at the beginning of the Christmas week, and after a brief and brave resistance by the Georgians effected a landing on Brewton's hill, about two miles above the city. Campbell immediately marched to the Tattnall plantation, where he found the Americans under Maj .- Gen. Howe drawn up in line of battle, four regiments of the Georgia brigade, commanded by Gen. Elbert, extending from the main road, the left resting on the battery on the bluff. The Carolina troops, under the command of Col. Huger, were formed with their right protected by a heavy timber swamp and their left joining the Georgia brigade. A detachment of riflemen was deployed in the swamp for the protection of the right flank of Huger's com- mand, and a few pieces of cannon were scattered at available points along the line. A trench cut across the main road, and a slight marshy creek extending nearly parallel to the American line on its front, contributed to the strength of its defense. Col. Campbell, discovering that the weak point of Howe's line was on his left flank, made a feint on the right wing, and, at the same time, threw a corps of light infantry entirely around the left, and to the rear of Howe. Posting his artillery under cover of a slight swell of ground to be ready for the advance, and his disposi- tions being all made, the signal was given, and the attack followed with an onset that broke the American line. Col. George Walton, commanding a body of

MILITARY HISTORY.

Georgia militia and a battery on the right, met the final brunt of the fierce charge of the British under Col. Baird, and, although he most bravely contested the position, was forced to fly. Within a short time the retreat became general and Savannah fell into the hands of the enemy. The Americans were hotly pursued through the streets by the victorious British, who bayoneted several non-combatant citizens, and seizing many others, hurried them to the prison ships. The Americans lost eighty-three killed and about 450 prisoners. The rest of the discomfited command retreated into South Carolina.

Gen. Prevost was placed in command of Savannah, and under his direction the British rapidly overcame all eastern Georgia. Maj. Maitland was sent to Ebenezer, where he built a fort and harassed the patriotic Gerinans, who were made to feel the severity of war to the utmost. Ebenezer was selected as the place where captured men were sent and kept under guard, until they could be forwarded in numbers to Savannah, and the inhabitants were forced to witness the merciless cruelties which the prisoners were compelled to endure. The rescue of a party of these prisoners is an incidental illustration of the daring spirit of the Sons of Liberty, who were fighting for their country against overwhelming numbers. Sergt. Jasper and Sergt. Newton, both bold scouts, having ascertained that a number of prisoners in irons were on the way from Ebenezer to Savannah under guard of ten men, secreted themselves near a spring where they knew the guard would pass. As they expected, the guard halted, leaned their guns against the trees, and leaving only two men with the prisoners, went down to the spring to refresh themselves with water. In a moment the two scouts sprang from their places of concealment, shot down the guard of two men, and seizing all the guns, demanded the surrender of the remainder, which was quickly granted. Losing no time the prisoners were released, and the captured British were marched across the Spanish river to the American camp.

The British invaders, pushing into the interior, established military forts at intervals along the west bank of the Savannah river, and in January, 1779, appeared before Augusta in such force that the town fell into their hands with little resistance. The capture of Augusta was followed by active operations on the part of the British forces to subdue the whole of Georgia, and in pursuance of this purpose Col. Boyd was ordered with a considerable force collected by him in Carolina to cross the Savannah river and scour the northwestern region. This invasion was bravely met in Wilkes county in the notable battle of Kettle Creek, by the Georgia and Carolina troops belonging to the commands of Heard, Clarke, Dooly and Pickens. Stephen Heard had moved into Georgia only a few years before the war of the revolution, and for protection against the Indians, he and his neighbors built a rude strong fortification which was named Fort Heard. Around this fort a sturdy band of planters had gathered, among whom Heard was the recognized leader, and at this spot after the fall of Savannah and Augusta the refugee govern- ment of Georgia made its final stand against invasion. Heard joined Dooly, Clarke and Pickens to meet Boyd at Kettle Creek, and there the desperate patriots fought their enemy with such impetuous bravery as to defeat and rout them com- pletely. This scarcely noted battle, equal though it was to any in the revolution, was so decisive as to force for the time the British from Augusta back to Savannah and Charleston.

But a quick reverse of fortune occurred within a month. Gen. Ashe, in com- mand of an American force in South Carolina, composed of Georgians under Gen. Elbert andi Col. McIntosh, with North and South Carolina regiments, amounting to 1,200 infantry and a small body of cavalry, was ordered to cross the river and take a position near Brier Creek bridge in Screven county, about half way between

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Augusta and Savannah, so as to interpose the command between the enemy and the up country. His left rested upon the impassable swamp of the river, while the creek was along the front, and a curtain of cavalry hung around his right. Provid- ing for possible disaster, notwithstanding his strong dispositions, Gen. Ashe made arrangements to retreat by boats across the river, and in his strong position felt secure against the enemy. But Gen. Prevost, marching from Savannah and collect- ing detachments from all parts as he went, made a rapid detour by which he evaded the cavalry that had been unfortunately crossed to the south side of the creek, and suddenly fell upon the surprised right flank of the American line. The attack found the command of Gen. Ashe wholly unprepared. The troops were not in battle line, and Ashe was unable to form his entire command before his enemy had . charged and broken down the opposition of a few companies which Elbert and McIntosh with rare bravery had rallied, and fought until they were overpowered. The patriot army gave way in confusion, and the mass escaped by the boats or by swimming the river. The Georgia troops suffered heavy losses, and their brave leaders, Elbert and McIntosh, with Maj. Douglass and eight captains, besides over 150 men, were taken prisoners. Elated with victory, Prevost marched his command, May, 1779, against Charleston and demanded its surrender. Moultrie courageously refused the demand, and while preparing the defense was succored by Gen. Lincoln, whose advance caused Prevost to beat a slow retreat toward Savannah along the coast. Col. Maitland, with a strong force, was attacked by the Americans at Stone Ferry, June, 1779, and repulsed the Americans with heavy loss.

In this state of affairs, where neither side appeared to gain any decided advan- tage, it was determined by the Americans to attempt the recapture of Savannah by a combined assault of the fortress under Gen. Lincoln, with the aid of a French fleet under Count d'Estaing. The troops under Lincoln were moved from South Carolina and upper Georgia to the west side of the Savannah, and in 1779 the French fleet, appearing off the coast, made demonstrations at various inlets, and finally began to land in launches below the city, and at the same time prepared their eleven frigates to advance up the river from Tybee. Upon this demonstration Gen. Prevost prepared for defense with great energy. Col. Maitland was withdrawn from Port Royal, the British ships retired up the river, guns and ammunition were transported in light vessels at Port Royal harbor through the cuts, and the seamen were appointed to the batteries which had been constructed under the skillful supervision of Col. Moncrief. The buoys of the bar were cut away, several ships were sunken in the channel for obstructions, and the fortifications around the city were hurriedly strengthened. Above the city a boom was laid across the river to avoid the danger of fire rafts, which Lincoln's men might float down the river among the British shipping, and the good ship Germain, armed with her guns, was stationed off Yamacraw to protect the flank.

Junction of the French and Americans having been effected, d'Estaing demanded the surrender of the city on Sept. 16, and received the defiant answer, "We are unanimously determined to defend the town." The attack opened with three small vessels having twelve-pound and eighteen-pound guns, which were advanced near enough to throw shot into the city with little damage. Proceeding afterward to reduce the fortified city by regular approach, the French commander constructed a line of works for infantry and thirty-seven pieces of artillery. These finished, a furious cannonading began at midnight of Oct. 3, and continued for nearly a week without producing any effect. It was then determined in a council of war to take the city by storm, and at daybreak Oct. 9 the assault was made along the entire American and French line combined. Three separate times the American and French charged the British in their entrenchments, but were as often repulsed

MILITARY HISTORY.

with severe loss. Grapeshot from the British batteries was seen to do destructive work in assisting the fire of musketry. The Georgians and Carolinians, led by Lincoln, attacked the British batteries in the fort at Spring Hill, and even planted their colors on the crest, but were forced back by the fire of the foe. Sergt. Jasper again distinguished himself by his heroic conduct in this assault. He was already celebrated for repeated acts of gallantry, and was now among the first to scale the parapet of the redoubt with the colors of his regiment, which had been presented by Mrs. Elliott. To celebrate the momentary victory as well as to inspire his fellow- soldiers with new daring, the ardent patriot stuck the staff of his flag upon the parapet and saw it wave over the redoubt, but a inoment afterward he was pierced by a deadly ball, and fell upon the spot made forcver memorable for his chivalry.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 12

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294