USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia, Volume II > Part 40
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CONDITION OF THE FRENCH FLEET.
If we may credit the statements made by a naval officer in the fleet of Count d'Estaing, whose journal was published in Paris in 1782, the condition of affairs on shipboard was deplorable. He says: The navy is suffering everything, anchored on an open coast and liable to be driven ashore by the southeast winds. Seven of our ships have been injured in their rudders, several have lost their anchors, and most of them have been greatly en- damaged in their rigging. The scurvy rages with such severity that we throw daily into the sea about thirty-five men. We have no kind of refreshments to give the sick, not even tisanne. There was no way of alleviating the misery of our poor sailors who, wanting coats, destitute of linen, without shoes, and abso- lutely naked, had nothing to eat except salt provisions which made them die of thirst. The bread which we possessed, having been two years in store, was so much decayed and worm-eaten, and was so disagreeable to the taste, that even the domestic ani- mals on board would not eat it. Even this had to be distributed in scanty rations for fear the supply would utterly fail. Behold a part of the frightful picture of the cruel and miserable condi- tion of our crews during the continuance of the siege of Savan- nalı upon which the Count d'Estaing was so intent that he appeared to have entirely forgotten his vessels. The few sailors who were in condition to work the ships were weak, of a livid color, with the marks of death portrayed on their countenances, and could not be viewed without compassion.
On the night of the 27tli a sortie was made by Major Archi- bald McArthur, with a detachment of the 71st regiment, to in- terrupt the allies in the construction of their batteries. Assaulting with vigor, he quickly retired. The French attempted to gain his right flank and the Americans his left. He eluded them both. Amid the darkness the allies opened fire upon each other. Several lives were lost before the mistake was discovered. The French account of this affair is different. It is therein stated that twice during this night the troops in the trenches, believing they saw the enemy approaching, delivered a heavy fire by mis- take upon the working parties, by which some seventeen were killed and wounded. The ensuing day, the frigate La Truite, moving up and anchoring in the north channel of the Savannah, attempted to bombard the town. But little damage was caused by her projectiles.
On the 29th of September, says Captain McCall,1 General 1 Ilistory of Georgia, vol. ii. p. 260. Savannah. 1816.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
McIntosh solicited General Lincoln's permission to send a flag with a letter to General Prevost to obtain leave for Mrs. McIn- tosh and his family, and such other females and children as might choose, to leave the town during the siege or until the contest should be decided. Major John Jones, aid to General McIntosh, was the bearer of the flag and letter, and found Mrs. McIntosh and family in a cellar where they had been confined several days. Indeed, such damp apartments furnished the only safe retreat for females and children. General Prevost refused to grant the request, imagining that he would thus restrain the besiegers from throwing bombs and carcasses among the houses to set them on fire.1
During the night of the 1st of October, Colonel John White, with Captains George Melvin and A. C. G. Elholm, a sergeant, and three privates, achieved an exploit which almost transcends belief. Captain French with one hundred and eleven regular troops, accompanied by five vessels and their crews, - four of them being armed vessels, - interrupted in his attempt to reach Savannah, had taken refuge in the Great Ogeechee River. De- barking his troops he formed a fortified camp on the left bank of that stream. Approaching this encampment at night, Colonel White caused a number of fires to be kindled in full view, as though an investing force of considerable strength was present. He then, with his little party, advanced and summoned Captain French to a surrender. With this demand he complied. Ilis entire command was disarmed and marched to the camp of the allied army.
On the 2d of October the frigate La Truite, from her position in the north channel, assisted by two American galleys, delivered a heavy fire against the southeast end of the town. This com- pelled the enemy to throw up a new battery and to strengthen the defensive works in that quarter.
The batteries planned by Count d'Estaing having been com- pleted and armed, the bombardment of Savannah commenced at
1 Writing from the camp before Sa- vannah on the 7th of October, 1779, Major John Jones says : " The poor wo- men and children have suffered beyond description. A number of them in Sa- vannah have already been put to death by our bombs and cannon. A deserter has this moment come out who gives an account that many of them were killed in their beds, and amongst others a poor
woman, with her infant in her arms, was destroyed by a cannon ball. They have all got into cellars : but even there they do not escape the fury of our bombs, sev- eral having been mangled in that sup- posed place of security. I pity General McIntosh ; his situation is peculiar. The whole of his family is. there." MS. let- ter in the possession of the author.
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BOMBARDMENT OF SAVANNAH.
midnight on the 3d of October. It ceased, however, at two o'clock on the morning of the 4th; it being evident from the misdirection of the bombs that many of the cannoneers were under the influence of rum.
The record of the first day's bombardment is thus perpetuated in a French journal of the siege: "October 4th, Monday. At four o'clock in the morning, the enemy's beat of drum at day- break furnishes the signal for unmasking our batteries on the right and left of the trench, and that of the Americans to the left of the mortar battery, and we begin to cannonade and bom- bard the town and the enemy's works with more vivacity than precision. The cannoneers being still under the influence of rum, their excitement did not allow tliem to direct their pieces with proper care. Besides, our projectiles did little damage to works which were low and constructed of sand. The effect of this very violent fire was fatal only to the houses and to some women who occupied them.
" Protected by their entrenchments, the enemy could not have lost many men, if we may judge from the effect of their fire upon our works which had been hastily constructed and with far less skill and care than theirs.
"All our batteries ceased firing at eiglit o'clock in the morning that we might repair our left battery which had been shaken to pieces by its own fire. A dense fog favors our workmen. We open fire again at ten o'clock in the morning and continue it with little intermission until four o'clock after midnight."
Stedman, in his history, says the allied army opened the bom- bardment with fifty-three pieces of heavy cannon and fourteen mortars. Dr. Ramsay, who is followed by McCall, states that the besiegers opened with nine mortars and thirty-seven cannon from the land side, and sixteen cannon from the water.
The bombardment of the 4th caused considerable damage to property within the town, and some lives were lost.
In order to avoid the projectiles Governor Sir James Wright and Lieutenant-Governor John Graham moved out of Savannah and occupied a tent next to Colonel Maitland on the right of the British lines.
By a shell from the bomb battery of nine mortars Ensign Pol- lard, of the second battalion of General DeLancey's brigade, was killed in a house on the bay. A daughter of Mrs. Thompson was slain in the same locality by a solid shot.
In commenting upon the effect of this bombardment, T. W.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Moore, who was an aid-de-camp to General Prevost during the siege, says that the town was torn to pieces by the shells and shot, and that the shrieks of women and children were heard on every side. " Many poor creatures," he adds, " were killed in trying to get in their cellars, or hide themselves under the bluff of Savannah River."
During the progress of the siege considerable damage was caused to buildings and property by the fire of the investing bat- teries. Among other premises, the quarters of Anthony Stokes, chief justice of the colony, were burned by a shell. His library and manuscripts were destroyed. During the bombardment of the 5th, as we learn from " Rivington's Royal Gazette," a mulatto man and three negroes were killed in the lieutenant-governor's cellar. In the evening, the residence of Mrs. Lloyd, near the church,1 was burnt by a shell and seven negroes lost their lives. At night another shell fell through Mr. Laurie's house on Brough- ton Street and killed two women and children who were under it.
On the 6th, the bombardment was feebly sustained and at long intervals. The allied army began to lose confidence when it was perceived that the heavy firing which had previously been maintained would not render the final assault less difficult. More than ever was Count d'Estaing persuaded that he should not have resorted to the slow process of a siege which afforded the Britishi an opportunity of strengthening their old works and of erecting new defenses. His regret was sincere that he had not attacked on the very first day.
At eleven o'clock a parley was beaten and the following com- munication, addressed by General Prevost to the commander of the French army, was delivered: -
" CAMP SAVANNAHI, 6th October, 1779.
"SIR, - I am persuaded your Excellency will do me the jus- tice to believe that I conceive 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 occasion the liberty of now addressing myself to your Excellency. They are those of Humanity. The houses of Savannah are occupied solely by women and children. Several of them have applied to me that I might request the favour you would allow them to embark on board a ship or ships and go down the river under the protec- tion of yours until this business is decided. If this requisition you are so good as to grant, my Wife and Children, with a few servants, shall be the first to profit by the indulgence."
1 Christ Church.
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REFUSAL OF LINCOLN AND D'ESTAING.
To this letter the following response was returned : -
" CAMP BEFORE SAVANNAH, October 6th, 1779.
"SIR, - We are persuaded that your Excellency knows all that your duty prescribes. Perhaps your zeal has already inter- fered with your judgment.
" The Count d'Estaing in his own name notified you that you alone would be personally responsible for the consequence of your obstinacy. The time which you informed him in the com- mencement of the siege would be necessary for the arrangement of articles, including different orders of men in your town, had no other object than that of receiving succor. Such conduct, Sir, is sufficient to forbid every intercourse between us which might occasion the least loss of time. Besides, in the present applica- tion latent reasons might again exist. There are military ones which, in frequent instances, have prevented the indulgence you request. It is with regret we yield to the austerity of our func- tions, and we deplore the fate of those persons who will be vic- tims of your conduct, and the delusion which appears to prevail in your mind.
" We are with respect, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient Servants,
B. LINCOLN. D'ESTAING.
" ITis Excellency
MAJOR GENERAL PREVOST."
Remembering the advantage taken by the English commander of the truce accorded on the 16th of September, to introduce the detachment under Colonel Maitland, apprehending that the pres- ent was but a pretext for gaining some undisclosed advantage, and mindful of the fact that General Prevost had denied a similar application preferred in behalf of General McIntosh whose wife and children were in Savannah, General Lincoln and Count d'Estaing deemed it proper to refuse the permission asked.
"7th, Thursday. A very lively cannonade. We bombard and throw carcasses into Savannah, which set the town on fire for the third time.1 We construct a new trench in advance of our left battery to persuade the enemy that we do not yet con-
1 To-day, Captain John Simpson of the Georgia Loyalists, while walking in Ma- jor Wright's redoubt, was killed by a grape-shot. Many houses in Savannah wore duingod by the fire of the Allies. Ono shell fell in the Provost Marshnl's
office killing two men und wounding nine others. Another burst in the cellar un- der the office of the. Commissioner of Claims, slaying a negro, and wounding anothor.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
template an assault, but that our intention is to push our ap- proaches up to his works.
"8th, Friday. We cannonade and bombard feebly. The enemy does little more. He seems to be husbanding his strength for the anticipated attack. Informed of all that transpires in our army, he is cognizant of the trifling effect produced by his fire upon us in our trenches. Everything forces us to the conclusion that we must, on the morrow, make a general assault upon the city. The length of time requisite for the operations of a siege, the exhaustion of the supplies of the fleet, and the pressing dan- gers resulting from our insecure anchorage, decide the general to take this step."
So reads the journal of a French officer in the land army of . Count d'Estaing.
The morning of the 8th was signalized by a brilliant attempt on the part of Major l'Enfant to fire the abattis in front of the enemy's lines. The dampness of the atmosphere, however, pre- vented general ignition.
The approaches of the allied army had now been pushed al- most within pistol shot of the English works.1 In the judgment of the engineers, however, ten days more would be required to penetrate them. The remonstrances of his naval officers against further delay, sickness in fleet and camp, anticipated storms at this tempestuous season of the year, an apprehension of attack from the British fleet, and the failure of his fire to effect a prac- ticable breach in the hostile works united in determining Count d'Estaing to attempt their capture by an early assault.
Four o'clock on the morning of the 9th of October, 1779, was designated as the hour for the important movement, the details of which were fully concerted at a general conference of leading officers. Unfortunately, the plan of attack was, by some means, overheard or unwittingly divulged. Certain it is that on the night of the 8th James Curry,2 sergeant major of the Charlestown Grenadiers, deserted to the enemy and communicated to the English the purposes of the allied army. Thus advised, Prevost prepared to meet the emergency.
1 " We keep up a most incessant can- nonade and bombardment," says Major John Jones in a letter dated " Cump be- foro Savannah, 7th October, 1779," " and this evening wo shall carry on our ap- proaches within pistol-shot of the enemy's lines. We are hourly expecting that they will strike, though many, with myself,
are of opinion they will not until we com- pel them by storm. Their investment is completo, and the siege a regular one." MS. letter in possession of the author.
2 This deserter was subsequently cap- tured nt the battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and was hung for his treachery.
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395
GENERAL LINCOLN'S ORDERS.
Informed that the principal assault was to be directed against the Spring-Hill redoubt and the contiguous batteries, and that the menace on the left under Huger was little more than a feint, he concentrated his choicest troops about the Spring-Hill and assigned his best officer, Colonel Maitland, to their command.
These are the orders which were issued by General Lincoln in anticipation of the important movements which were to transpire on the morning of the 9th.1
" Watchword, Lewis.
"The soldiers will be immediately supplied with forty rounds of cartridges, a spare flint, and their arms in good order.
" The infantry destined for the attack of Savannah will be divided into two bodies: the first composing the light troops under the command of Colonel Laurens ; the second of the Con- tinental battalions and the first battalion of Charlestown militia, except the grenadiers who are to join the light troops. The whole will parade at one o'clock near the left of the line and march by the right by platoons.
" The guards of the camp will be formed by the invalids and be charged to keep up the fires as usual in the camp.
" The cavalry under the command of Count Pulaski will parade at the same time with the infantry and follow the left column of the French troops and precede the column of the American light troops. They will endeavor to penetrate the enemy's lines between the battery on the left of the Spring-Hill redoubt and the next toward the river. Having effected this, they will pass to the left toward Yamacraw and secure such par- ties of the enemy as may be lodged in that quarter.
" The artillery will parade at the same time: follow the French artillery, and remain with the corps de reserve until they receive further orders.
"The whole will be ready by the time appointed with the utmost silence and punctuality, and be ready to march the instant Count d'Estaing and General Lincoln shall order.
"The Light troops, who are to follow the cavalry, will attempt to enter the redoubt on the left of the Spring-Hill by escalade if possible : if not, by entrance into it. They are to be supported, if necessary, by the first South Carolina regiment. In the mean time the column will proceed with the lines to the left of the Spring-Hill battery.
" The Light troops having succeeded against the redoubt will
1 Moultrie's Memoirs of the American Revolution, vol. ii. p. 37. New York. 1802.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
proceed to the left and attempt the several works between that and the river.
"The column will move to the left of the French troops, taking care not to interfere with them.
" The light troops having carried the works toward the river will form on the left of the column.
" It is expressly forbid to fire a single gun before the redoubts are carried, or for any soldier to quit his ranks to plunder with- out an order for that purpose: any who shall presume to trans- gress in either of these respects shall be reputed a disobeyor of military orders, which is punishable with death.
" The militia of the first and second brigades, General Will- iamson's, and the first and second battalions of Charlestown militia will parade immediately under the command of General Isaac Huger. After drafting five hundred of them, the re- mainder will go into the trenches and put themselves under the command of the commanding officer there.
" With the five hundred he will march to the left of the enemy's lines and remain as near them as he possibly can, with- out being discovered, until four o'clock in the morning, at which time the troops in the trenches will begin the attack upon the enemy. He will then advance and make his attack as near the river as possible. Though this is only meant as a feint, yet, should a favorable opportunity offer, he will improve it and push into the town.
" In case of a repulse, after having taken the Spring-IIill re- doubt, the troops will retreat and rally in the rear of the redoubt. If it cannot be effected that way, it must be attempted by the same route at which they entered.
"The second place of rallying, or the first, if the redoubt should not be carried, will be at the Jews' burying ground, where the reserve will be placed. If these two halts should not be effectual, they will retire toward camp.
" The troops will carry on their hats a piece of white paper by which they will be distinguished."
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CHAPTER XXI.
THE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH CONTINUED. - ASSAULT OF THE 9TH OF OCTOBER, 1779. - REPULSE OF THE ALLIED ARMY. - COUNT PULASKI. - ESTIMATE OF FORCES ENGAGED AND OF LOSSES SUSTAINED. - NAMES OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. - LIEUTENANT LLOYD. - SERGEANT JASPER. - SIEGE RAISED. - DEPARTURE OF THE FRENCH AND AMERICANS. - WAR VESSELS COMPOSING THE FRENCH FLEET. - GENERAL LINCOLN'S LETTER TO CON- GRESS. - COUNT D'ESTAING - DEATH OF COLONEL MAITLAND, - PITIABLE CONDITION OF THE SEA-COAST OF GEORGIA.
THE French were to form in three columns: two for assault, and the third to act as a reserve corps moving to any point where its cooperation seemed most requisite. Of the first column of assault under M. Dillon, Count d'Estaing assumed personal com- mand. The second was entrusted to M. de Steding, colonel of in- fantry. The third, or column of reserves, was led by the Viscount de Noailles. The Americans were divided into two assaulting columns. The first, composed of the second South Carolina reg- iment and the first battalion of Charlestown militia, was placed under the guidance of Colonel Laurens. The second, consisting of the first and fifth South Carolina regiments and some Geor- gia continentals, was commanded by General Lachlan McIntosh. General Lincoln, taking with him some militia, united with the Viscount de Noailles, and assumed, by virtue of his rank, gen- eral command of the reserves. The cavalry, under Count Pu- laski, was to precede the American column, commanded by Colo- nel Laurens, until it approached the edge of the wood, when it was to break off and occupy a position whence it could readily take advantage of any breach which might be effected in the enemy's works. The weight of these assaulting columns was to be directed against the right of the British lines. General Isaac Huger, with a force of five hundred men, was ordered to march to the left of the enemy's works and remain as near them as he could, without being discovered, until four in the morning, when he was to advance and attack as close the river as practicable. Although this movement was intended as a feint, he was in- structed, if a favorable opportunity presented itself, to improve
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the chance and push into the town. It was further arranged that some troops from the trenches should demonstrate forcibly against the British centre with a view to distracting the enemy. . After wading half a mile through the rice-field which bordered the city on the east, General Huger reached his point of attack and, at the designated hour and place, assaulted. The enemy, already fully advised of the movement, was on the alert. He was received with music and a heavy fire of cannon and musketry, before which he retreated with a loss of twenty-eight men. This command took no further part in the action. The attack by the troops from the trenches upon the centre of the English line was feebly maintained and produced no impression. It was easily re- pulsed by the soldiers under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton, of the North Carolina regiment of loyalists. These troops from the trenches, supported by the Chasseurs of Marti- nique, were commanded by M. de Sabliere.
The details of the assault upon the enemy's right, as conducted by the French columns of attack, we translate from the journal of a French officer who participated in the tragic event : -
" By three o'clock in the morning all our dispositions had been perfected. . . . We commence marching by the left to attack the city on its right where its western side, as we have before inti- mated, is fortified by three redoubts located triangularly.1 The columns marched by divisions (each column had been divided into three battalions), with easy gait and leisurely, that they might arrive at the point of attack at the designated hour.
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