USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia, Volume II > Part 52
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rum ; and the rest to the governor to be disposed of as he might deem proper.1
In this season of extreme poverty the South Carolinians voted some rice to the Georgians. So difficult of procurement was transportation that one third was allowed as compensation to those who brought it from Pocotaligo to Ebenezer. When called upon for her quota of the expense incident to the support of the continental government, Georgia, at the moment wholly unable to respond, replied through her agent, "There is not a quarter part of the money in the State without the enemy's lines, neither is there produce to raise it from, or a sufficient provision to last the people until harvest."
In the face of such general want Wayne was greatly embar- rassed in securing food for his command, but he bore up patiently and cheerfully under all difficulties. Encouraged by his temper and fortitude his men failed not in their duties, but in the midst of privations and dangers illustrated all the virtues which apper- tained to the patriot and the soldier.
Finding that his territorial command was practically limited to the fortified lines around Savannah, General Alured Clarke by messengers communicated with the Creeks and Cherokees and in- voked their assistance. The blows delivered by Pickens, Clarke, and Anderson staggered those Indian nations, distracted their counsels, and delayed a ready response to these entreaties. Fi- nally, the 15th of May was named as the time when a force of In- dians would approach the southern frontier of Georgia to render to the British general the aid which he supplicated. In anticipa- tion of this accession, and to prevent General Wayne from inter- cepting the free passage of these Indians, General Clarke, on the 19th of May, sent out a detachment of one hundred men under the command of Captains Ingram and Corker. Crossing the Great Ogeechee the next morning and seeing nothing of the ex- pected savages, the men of this command busied themselves in collecting cattle. Upon recrossing the river they were attacked by Colonel Jackson who drove the advance guard back upon the main body. Then retreating about three miles, to Struther's plantation, he posted his men in a swamp on each side of the road and, as Atwood's dragoons approached, saluted them with a volley.
Apprehending that some misadventure might befall his de- tachment, General Clarke ordered Colonel Brown (who had been
1 Sec Stevens' History of Georgia, vol. ii. p. 281. Philadelphia. 1859.
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ESCAPE OF COLONEL BROWN.
exchanged shortly after his capture at Augusta) with two hun- dred and sixty infantry and eighty dragoons to move to its sup- port. A junction was formed between the two commands at Little Ogeechee causeway, some eight miles from Savannalı.
Informed of these movements General Wayne advanced with his entire available force to intercept Brown. His van consisted of sixty infantry under Captain Parker, and thirty dragoons com- manded by Lieutenant Bowyer. Parker was ordered to march as rapidly as he could and take possession of Baillou's causeway. Just as he reached the end of this causeway he perceived, in the darkness, a small body of cavalry in his front. As the opposing forces met, Parker demanded the countersign. Either through mistake or confusion the British officer "advanced in the attitude of friendship until it was too late to correct his error." He and eighteen dragoons were there captured. One escaped and gave the alarm to Brown who, with his cavalry in front, was just en- tering upon the further end of the causeway! Lieutenant Bow- yer, charging vigorously, caused the cavalry to recoil upon the infantry. The entire command, thrown into confusion, fell back with a loss of five killed and several wounded. Among the latter was Colonel Douglass, second in command.
Securing all the direct avenues of retreat toward Savannah, Wayne hoped, on the morrow, to capture Brown, but that wily officer, conducted by guides having a thorough knowledge of the region, led his command by private ways at right angles with the direct road until he reached the highway connecting White Bluff with Savannah. Pursuing that route he reached Savannah in safety at an early hour the next morning.1
Some weeks prior to this affair Wayne had overtaken a party of Creek Indians on their way to Savannah for the purpose of trade. Treating them kindly, and explaining to them the fact that the British force was now closely confined within Savannalı and that the Americans would soon compel either an evacuation or a surrender of that town, he dismissed them with presents and sent Mr. Cornell with them to confirm at their own homes the good talk which he had given them. Many of the Indians were thus influenced in behalf of pacific measures. There was one among thiem, however, Guristersigo by name, a chief of valor and of control, who, summoning about him three hundred warriors, determined to march to Savannah in response to the request of
1 Sce McCall's Ilistory of Georgia, vol. oirs, etc., vol. ii. p. 433. Philadelphia. ii. p. 406. Savannah. 1816. Lee's Mem- 1812.
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General Clarke. For the following account of what transpired we are indebted to the accomplished author of " Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States :" 1 __
" This warrior, accompanied by his white men, his guides, passed through the whole State of Georgia unperceived except by two boys who were taken and killed; and, having reached the neighborhood of Wayne on the 23d of June, he determined to strike at a picquet of the American corps stationed, as he was in- formed, at Gibbons' plantation, directly on the route to and not far distant from Savannah.
"There were two plantations, so called, in the same range of country, both of which were occasionally stations for our troops. At this time Wayne himself, with the main body, occupied one, while the other was on the same day (22d) held by a picquet guard. Not only to avoid Wayne, but to carry this picquet be- came the object of Guristersigo; and he acquired through his white conductors the requisite intelligence, with negro guides for the execution of his purpose.
" Wayne, in pursuance of a system adopted to avoid surprise (of which the Indian Chief was uninformed), moved every night; and consequently the calculation that he would be on the 23d where he had been on the 22d was unfounded. The reverse was the fact, which would undoubtedly have been perceived by Guristersigo had he been acquainted with the custom of the American General, and his plan of attack would have been modi- fied accordingly. Decamping from Gibbons' late in the evening of the 22d, Wayne exchanged positions with his picquet, and thus fortunately held the very post against which the Indian warrior had pointed his attack.
" Here the light infantry under Parker (who had been for several days close to Savannah) joined, and being much harassed by the late tour of duty was ordered by the Brigadier to take post near to his artillery, in the rear. Knowing but one enemy (the garrison of Savannah), Wayne gave his entire attention to that quarter ; and conscious, from his precautions, that no move- ment could be made by the enemy in Savannah without due notice, he forbore to burden his troops with the protection of his rear, because in his opinion unnecessary. A single sentinel only from the quarter-guard was posted in the rear, on the main road leading through the camp to Savannah, and the very road which Guristersigo meant to take.
1 Vol. ii. p. 435. Philadelphia. 1812.
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WAYNE ATTACKED BY GURISTERSIGO.
"Soon after nightfall the Indian Chief, at the head of his warriors, emerged from the deep swamps in which he had lain concealed, and gained the main road. He moved in profound silence, and, about three in the morning, reached the vicinity of our camp. Here he halted and made his disposition for battle. Believing that he had to deal with a small detachment only, his plan of attack was simple and efficient. Preceded by a few of the most subtle and daring of his comrades, directed to surprise and kill the sentinel, he held himself ready to press forward with the main body upon the signal to advance. This was not long delayed. His wily precursors, having encompassed our sentinel, killed him, when Guristersigo, bounding from his stand, fell with his whole force upon our rear. Aroused from sleep, the light infantry stood to their arms, and the matrosses closed with their guns.
" But the enemy was amongst them ; which being perceived by Parker, he judiciously drew off in silence and joined the quarter-guard behind Gibbons' house at headquarters. The General had about this time mounted, and, concluding that the garrison of Savannah was upon him, he resorted to the bayonet, . determined to die sword in hand. Orders to this effect were given to Parker, and despatched to Lieutenant-Colonel Posey, commanding the camp, distant a few hundred yards. Captain Parker, seconded by the quarter-guard, advanced upon the foe; and Posey moved with all possible celerity to support the light troops, but did not arrive in time to share in the action. ' Wayne, participating with his light corps in the surrounding dangers, was now dismounted, his horse being killed ; the light troops, nevertheless, continued to press forward, and Parker drove all in his way back to our cannon, where the Indian Chief with a part of his warriors was attempting to turn our guns to their aid. IIere Guristersigo renewed the conflict and fought gallantly; but the rifle and the tomahawk are unavailing when confronted by the bayonet in close quarters. We soon recovered our artillery, and Guristersigo, fighting bravely, was killed. Seventeen of his warriors, and his white guides fell by his side. The rest fled.
"Now it was discovered that the assailing foe was not from Savannah. Although surprised at the extraordinary occurrence, Wayne adapted with promptitude his measures to the occasion, and, scattering his troops in every direction, pursued the flying Indians. Twelve of them were taken and, after a few hours' captivity, were put to death by order of the general. One hun- VOL. II. 33
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dred and seventeen pack-horses, laden with peltry, fell into our hands ; and, although every exertion was made to capture the surviving Indians, they all got back to their distant country. Our loss was small, not exceeding twelve killed and wounded.
" This bold and concluding scene, though highly honorable to the unlettered Chief, did not surpass those which preceded it in the progress of his daring enterprise. The accuracy of the intel- ligence obtained respecting the interior of Georgia, the geograph- ical exactitude with which he shaped his course, the control he established over his rude band, - repressing appetite for plunder when opportunity for gratification hourly occurred, - and the decision with which he made his final arrangements, alike merit applause. Guristersigo1 died, as he lived, the renowned warrior of the Overhill Creeks."
1 Lee and Wayne call this chief Guristersigo. Others, among whom is Judge Johnson, name him Emitasago.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
INDEPENDENCE AT HAND. - GOVERNOR WRIGHT'S COMMUNICATION TO GENERAL WAYNE. - DISPATCH FROM SIR GUY CARLETON. - A DEPUTA- TION FROM THE MERCHANTS AND CITIZENS OF SAVANNAH WAITS UPON GENERAL WAYNE. - GENEROUS TERMS OFFERED ON THE PART OF THE REPUBLICANS. - MAJOR JOHN HABERSIIAM ENTRUSTED WITH THE CON- DUCT OF NEGOTIATIONS. - GENERAL WAYNE'S ORDER IN ANTICIPATION OF THE EARLY EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH. - COLONEL JACKSON DES- IGNATED TO RECEIVE THE SURRENDER OF THE TOWN. - GENERAL WAYNE'S ORDERS ON TAKING POSSESSION OF SAVANNAHI. - EVACUATION OF THE TOWN. - GEORGIA DESPOILED BY THE DEPARTING LOYALISTS. - GENERAL WAYNE COMPLIMENTED BY GENERAL GREENE. - THE EXECU- TIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATURE CONVENE IN SAVANNAH. - ACTS AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THEM. - COLONEL JACKSON COM- PLIMENTED WITH A MANSION. - PLANTATIONS PRESENTED TO GENERALS WAYNE AND GREENE. - MEASURES ADOPTED FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE STATE. - LOSSES SUSTAINED BY GEORGIA DURING THE REVOLU- TIONARY WAR. - HER POPULATION. - MEMORIAL OF SIR JAMES WRIGHT. - DR. LYMAN HALL ELECTED GOVERNOR. - GEORGIA AN INDEPENDENT STATE.
HAVING been officially notified of the proceedings of Parlia- ment contemplating an adjustment of the existing difficulties between England and America and foreshadowing an early ac- knowledgment of the independence of the United Colonies, Gov- ernor Wright promptly communicated the intelligence to General Wayne. He accompanied his dispatch with an avowal of his determination to "observe such conduct in every respect as might best promote a speedy and happy reconciliation and peace" be- tween the two countries. As the most effectual means of bring- ing about this desirable result he proposed a cessation of hostili- ties. Declining to act upon the suggestion, General Wayne referred the matter to his commanding officer, General Greene, who, in turn, took counsel of the Continental Congress. For- tunate was it that Wayne did not relax his vigilance, for Guris- tersigo was at the time on the march to join General Alured Clarke in Savannah.
Matters, however, reached a crisis in the royal camp upon the arrival of a communication from Sir Guy Carleton, dated New
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York, May 23, 1782, ordering the evacuation both of Savannah and of the province of Georgia, and notifying the authorities that transports might be expected to bring away not only the troops and military and public stores, but also Governor Wright and all loyalists who desired to depart. Although anticipated, this intelligence created a profound impression among soldiers and civilians. The latter were most anxious to ascertain what their status would be under the changed condition of affairs, and to secure pledges that they would be unmolested in the enjoy- ment of personal liberty and private property. Negotiations were at once opened between Governors Wright and Martin, and between the British merchants represented by Major Hale and General Wayne.
Early in July that officer was waited upon by a deputation of merchants and citizens bearing a flag. As British subjects, they desired to know upon what terms they would be permitted to remain in Savannah after the withdrawal of the king's troops. They requested also to be informed whether their rights of prop- erty would be respected.
Upon conference with Governor Martin it was concluded " to offer assurances of safety for the persons and property of such inhabitants as chose to remain in Savannah after it should be evacuated by the British troops, and that a reasonable time would be allowed them to dispose of their property and settle their pecuniary concerns in the State." It was emphatically de- clared that persons who had been guilty of murder or atrocious crimes were liable to trial and punishment according to the laws of Georgia. For the safety of such culprits the governor de- clined to stipulate, alleging very properly that the executive could not rightfully exercise control in matters which, by the constitution of Georgia, were cognizable by the courts. In the case of merchants, ample opportunity would be afforded for them to sell their goods and adjust their accounts. At the expiration of a reasonable period a flag would be granted to convey them and their property to any convenient British port they might select.
With regard to those inhabitants who, having served in the king's militia, were now willing to enlist in the Georgia regiment of infantry for two years or the war, assurance was given that every effort would bo expended in procuring the passage of an act granting oblivion of all offenses which they might have com- mitted, except murder.
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WISE POLICY OF GENERAL WAYNE.
"In offering these terms," said General Wayne, "I had in view not only the interest of the United States but also that of Georgia : by retaining as many inhabitants and merchants as circumstances would admit, and with them a considerable quantity of goods much wanted for public and private use: but (what was yet of greater consequence) to complete your quota of troops without any expense to the public, and thus reclaim a number of men who, at another day, will become valuable mem- bers of society. This also appeared to me an act of justice tempered with mercy : justice to oblige those who have joined or remained with the enemy to expiate their crime by military ser- vice; and mercy, to admit the repentant sinner to citizenship after a reasonable quarantine. By these means those worthy citizens [the Whigs], who have so long endured every vicissitude of fortune with more than Roman virtue, will be relieved from that duty."
These terms having been reported in Savannah, another depu- tation was appointed to enter into definite stipulations. That they might be well understood, it was requested that they should be reduced to writing. This was accordingly done. To Major John Habersham, an officer of the Georgia line, a native of Sa- vannah, a gentleman whose personal character inspired confi- dence, and whose correct conduct and polished address com- manded the utmost respect even from those who were inimical -
to the cause which he espoused, was this negotiation chiefly con- fided on the part of the patriots.
"Satisfied with the assurances of protection which were given," writes Captain McCall, " many of the British subjects who re- sided with their families in Savannah discontinued the prep- arations which they had commenced for removal, and became citizens of the United States. Such of the loyalists as were un- willing to subscribe to the conditions proposed removed with their families and the property they had in possession to Cock- spur and Tybee islands where they encamped until the transports were ready to sail. Among this number there were many whose atrocious conduct during the war would have placed their lives at groat hazard if they had been tried by the civil authorities of the State. Others had in possession large fortunes in negroes and other property which had been plundered from their Repub- lican countrymen."
In anticipation of the early departure of the British forces General Wayno published the following order : -
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" HEAD QUARTERS, CAMP AT GIBBONS', July 10th, 1782.
" As the enemy may be expected daily to evacuate the town, the troops will take care to be provided with a clean shift of linnen, and to make themselves as respectable as possible for the occasion. The officers are particularly called upon to attend to this order and see it executed in their respective corps. No fol- lowers of the army are to be permitted to enter the town until the main body has marched in. Lieut: Col : Jackson, in con- sideration of his severe and fatiguing service in the advance, is to receive the keys of Savannah, and is allowed to enter at the western gate, keeping a patrole in town to apprehend stragglers who may steal in with the hopes of plunder. Marauders may assure themselves of the most severe and exemplary punish- ment." 1
The very next day (July 11, 1782) the British troops evac- uated Savannah, and, in the afternoon, General Wayne entered with his forces and took possession of the town. This done, the following order was forthwith promulgated : -
" HEAD QUARTERS, SAVANNAH, 11th July, 1782.
" The light infantry company under. Captain Parker to take post in the centre work in front of the town, placing sentries at the respective gateways and sally ports to prevent any person or persons going from or entering the lines without written per- mits until further orders.
" No insults or depredations to be committed upon the persons or property of the inhabitants on any pretext whatever. The civil authority only will take cognizance of the criminals or de- faulters belonging to the State, if any there be. The merchants and traders are immediately to make out an exact and true in- voice of all goods, wares, or merchandise of every species, dry, wet, or hard, respectively belonging to them or in their posses- sion, with the original invoices, to the Commissary, who will se- lect such articles as may be necessary for the army and for the public uses of the State, for which a reasonable profit will be allowed. No goods or merchandise of any kind whatever are to be removed, secreted, sold, or disposed of until the public and army are first served, which will be as soon as possible after the receipt of the invoices, &c.
"N. B. Orders will be left with Captain Parker for the imme- diate admission of the Honorable the Executive Council, and the Honorable the Members of the Legislature, with their officers and attendants."
1 Charlton's Life of Jackson, Part I. p. 43. Augusta. 1809.
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SURRENDER OF SAVANNAII.
To Colonel Jackson were the keys of the town delivered, at its principal gate, in token of formal surrender ; and he enjoyed the profound pleasure and distinguished honor of being the first to enter Savannah from which the patriots had been forcibly expelled in December, 1778.1 This compliment was well merited and handsomely bestowed. It was a just recognition of the pa- triotism and gallantry which characterized him during the war, and of the activity displayed by him as the leader of the van- guard of the army of occupation.
Thus, after the lapse of three years and a half, was the capital of Georgia wrested from the dominion of the royal forces and restored to the possession of the sons of liberty. With the departure of the British garrison there lingered not a single servant of the king on Georgia soil. Although no treaty of peace had yet been consummated between England and America, this surrender of Georgia into the hands of the republicans was hailed as a practical abandonment of the war on the part of the Realm, and was regarded as an earnest of a speedy recognition of the independence of the United States. And so it proved.
If we may credit the contemporaneous accounts, between the 12th and 25th of July, 1782, in addition to the garrison, from Savannah and its vicinity were transported five hundred women and children, three hundred Indians, and several thousand negroes. Governor Wright, accompanied by some of the civil and military officers, was conveyed to Charlestown, South Caro- lina, in the Princess Caroline. General Alured Clarke, with a portion of the British regulars, sailed for New York. Colonel Brown with his rangers and some Indians repaired to St. Augus- tine. Others, including the negroes, were carried to the West India islands under convoy of the frigate Zebra, the sloop of war Vulture, and other armed vessels which had been ordered to the Georgia coast for that purpose.2
By these departing loyalists, many of whom had been guilty of enormities the most revolting, was Georgia grossly despoiled. Gathering about them slaves and personal property plundered, during a series of years, from republican owners intent upon an assertion of their claims to liberty, they effected an escape to distant parts where, avoiding punishment for past offenses, they enjoyed their gains ill-gotten in an unholy strife. So far as the record stands, no return was ever made of this stolen property,
I See Charlton's Life of Jackson, Part
I. p. 44. Augusta. 1809.
2 Soo McCall's History of Georgia, vol. ii. p. 420. Savannah. 1816.
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no compensation offered to the impoverished republicans who, amid the general wreck of desolated homes and vanished posses- sions, sought a modicum of comfort and subsistence.
Leaving Colonel Jackson with his legion and Major John Habersham's corps of new recruits in charge of Savannah, Gen- eral Wayne marched with his forces to South Carolina where he joined General Greene. "I wish you to be persuaded," wrote that great and generous officer to his subaltern, " that I shall do you ample justice in my public accounts to Congress and the Commander in Chief. I think you have conducted your com- mand with great prudence and with astonishing perseverance; and in so doing you have fully answered the high expectations I ever entertained of your military abilities from our earliest acquaintance."
Following close upon the heels of the military came members of the executive council, who established themselves in Savannah on the 14th of July. There being many lawless, profligate, idle, and runaway negroes in the town and its vicinity, one of the first acts performed by this body was the appointment of Joseph Clay, James Habersham, John Houstoun, William LeConte, John Wereat, William O'Bryan, John Kean, Peter Deveaux, Thomas Stone, Peter Taarling, and Joseph Woodruff as a special committee to take into immediate custody all negro slaves absent from their masters, and all suspected property. This done, pub- lic notice was given so that owners might prove property and reacquire possession.
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