USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia: containing brief sketches of the most remarkable events, up to the present day, Vol. II > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
-
254
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
ard the fleet long upon the coast, in consequence of the hurricanes with which it had usually been visited, and that these circumstances had rendered it necessary for him to lose no time in summon- ing the commander of the British troops in Sa- vannah to surrender.
The answer to this summon had not yet been received from general Provost, and the count ex- pressed gratification that general Lincoln had ar- rived in time to unite with him in the terms of capitulation, in case the enemy should surrender, of which he entertained but little doubt.
General Provost exercised great military judg- ment, in soliciting twenty-four hours for consid- eration, because he calculated with great certainty that within that time, colonel Maitland would ar- rive with eight hundred troops from Beaufort. There is but little doubt, that on this event rested all his hopes of saving the garrison. When the fleet first appeared off the coast, the enemy had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted upon the redoubts and batteries, to defend an extent by land and water of near three miles. It appears that the count D'Estaing was not well informed, as to the geography of the country, or he cer- tainly would have ordered the frigates to take their stations farther up the river, so as to have commanded the inland passage from Carolina and cut off the communication. If general Lincoln was acquainted with the advantages which the enemy could take of this circumstance, he proba-
-
255
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
bly thought it unnecessary to communicate it to the count, having sent him a number of pilots who were acquainted with the coast and inland communications ; consequently, thought any ad- ditional information unnecessary.
On the evening of the 16th, colonel Maitland arrived at Dawfuskie, and finding the passage up the river in possession of the French, he was ob- liged to resort to some other way of getting into the town. While he was embarrassed in this dif- ficulty, fortune threw into his hands some negro fishermen, who were well acquainted with all the creeks through the marsh, and informed him of a passage called Wall's cut, through Scull creek, by which small boats could pass at high water. The tide and a thick fog favoured the execution of his plans, and enabled him with great difficulty to get through : on the ensuing afternoon he reached the town, unperceived by the French. The ac- quisition of this formidable re-enforcement, head- ed by an experienced and brave officer, effected a complete change in the dispirited garrison. A signal was made and three cheers given, which rung from one end of the town to the other. In the afternoon the following letter was addressed by general Provost, to the count D'Estaing. ·
" Savannah, September 17, 1779.
" SIR -In answer to the letter of your excel- lency, which I had the honour to receive about twelve last night, I am to acquaint you, that hav- ing laid the whole correspondence before the
256
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
king's civil governor, and the military officers of . rank, assembled in council of war, the unanimous determination has been, that though we cannot look upon our post as inexpugnable, yet that it may and ought to be defended : therefore the evening gun to be fired this evening, at an hour before 'sun down, shall be the signal for re-com- mencing hostilities, agreeably to your excellency's proposal. I have the honour to be, &c.
A. PROVOST."
The assistance of the negroes, who had been collected from the country, contributed greatly to hasten the preparation for defence: those people having been accustomed to the use of the hoe and spade, in the cultivation of rice, and possessing constitutions adapted to the climate, were con- stantly employed in the ditches. The soil was also favourable to the enemy, being composed en- tirely of light sand.
The disappointment occasioned by a compli- ance with the propositions of Provost, and losing the golden opportunity by delay, was a source of severe mortification and chagrin to the combined army. The favourable moment for reducing the fortress by assault, had been suffered to pass away unimproved, under the practice of deceptive pre- texts. Though every exertion had been made to bring up the cannon and mortar's from the sea Coast, none had yet arrived, except some light pieces of field artillery. The British works, . which had been commenced with great skill, were
-----
·
257
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
rapidly progressing to maturity, and there was no mean of retarding them, by offering the enemy any other employment. Some intelligent British officers, who were within the works, acknowledge that the French army alone, could have taken the town in ten minutes, without the assistance of ar- tillery, or loss of much blood, if the assault had been made at the first moment. It appears that the necessary information was not given to the count D'Estaing, to afford him a correct know- ledge of the country ; and it was therefore impos- sible for him to foresee the advantages he was giving to the enemy by delay. He had no idea that there was any pass to Savannah by water, ex- cept the main river, which he considered as being secured by his light frigates, lying in the channel.
All hopes of taking the town by assault, were extinguished, and the tedious operations attend- ant on regular approaches, were the only resort which promised success. This was what the enemy wished. The principal engineer had de- clared, that if the allied army would once resort to the spade, he would pledge himself for the success of the defence. The French frigates moved up within gun shot of the town, and com- pelled the British armed vessels to take shelter under the battery. To prevent these frigates from coming so near as to aid the operations by land, the ships Rose, Savannah, and four trans- ports, were sunk in a narrow part of the channel, three miles distant from the town. Some small 33
.
e
258
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779>
-
crafts were also sunk above the town, and a boom stretched across the channel, to prevent the gallies which passed up the north river, round Hutchin- son's island, from assailing them in that direction. One of the frigates and two gallies anchored near the wrecks ; but to no purpose, at so great a dis- tance. The enemy's guns mounted upon batte. ries, forty feet above the surface of the water, soon compelled the frigate and gallies to retire.
The regular approaches were continued from the south on the enemy's left, covered by batte- ries in the rear, upon which such heavy cannon and mortars were mounted, as had been brought up from the fleet. On the 20th, the besieged com- menced several new batteries and destroyed the houses on the flanks. The sloop of war Germain, and the gallies Thunderer and Comet, were an- chored above the town, to rake the flank and cover the boom. There was a range of barracks about three hundred yards distant from and front- ing the town, upon the south side. One hundred yards in front of these barracks, the besiegers erected a battery, and mounted seven guns upon it. In the mean time, the besieged unroofed the barracks, filled them with sand, and converted them into a breast work. On the 22nd, the allied army threw up a bank in front, and formed their encampment about one thousand yards from the works of the besieged.
During the night of the 24th, both armies were hard at work. By the time the fog cleared
1
259
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
off in the morning, the besiegers had carried their saps within three hundred yards of the enemy's abatis. About nine o'clock, major Graham with one hundred British troops, made a sortie, and for . a few minutes had possession of one of the saps. Two columns of the French advanced and at- tempted to gain Graham's rear, who did not re- . treat until the columns were drawn so far on as to be much exposed to the fire from the enemy's batteries, which played upon them with such ef- fect, that they were compelled to retreat ; conse- quently, their loss was much greater than that of the British. The loss of the former was forty- eight killed and wounded, and of the latter twenty- one. The firing was continued the whole of the next day, to impede as much as possible the pro- gress of each other. On the night of the 27th, major Archibald M'Arthur, with a detachment of the 71st regiment, made a sortie to attack the al- lies in some batteries which they were construct- ing to mount some heavy cannon : after com- mencing the attack briskly, he retired unperceiv- ed : the French attempted to gain his left flank, and the Americans his right. M'Arthur retired so suddenly and silently, that the right and left of the allies commenced a brisk fire upon each other, and several lives were lost before the mistake was discovered. On the 28th, the French fri- gate La Truite, moved up and anchored in the north channel, from whence she threw several shot into the town, but the ground was so high,
-
-
260
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
that it answered but little purpose at so great a distance. On the 29th, general M'Intosh solicit- ed general Lincoln's permission to send a flag with a letter to general Provost, to obtain leave for Mrs. M'Intosh 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 M'Intosh, was the bearer of the flag and letter, and found Mrs. M'Intosh and family in a cellar, where they had been confined several days. In- deed those damp apartments furnished the only safe retreat, for females and children, during the siege. General Provost refused to grant the re- quest, imagining that it would restrain the besieg- ers from throwing bombs and carcasses among the houses to set them on fire.
On the night of the 1st of October, colonel John White with captains George Melvin, A. C. G .. Elholm, a sergeant, and three privates, pro- ceeded to reconnoitre the position of captain French, who had been cut off from Savannah, and fortified his camp on Ogechee river. Colonel White directed a number of fires to be lighted up in view of the camp, which gave an appearance that a. large force was there, and summoned French to surrender ; which was agreed to : cap- tain French and one hundred and eleven regular troops, with one hundred and thirty stand of small arms, and five vessels, with their crews, four of which were armed, were obtained by the strat3. gem.
261
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
On the 2nd, the French frigate in the north river, and two American gallies, kept up a heavy cannonade upon the east end of the town, which compelled the enemy to throw up a new battery on their left, and strengthen their works on the south-east, to keep the sap in check ; supposing · if there was an assault made, it would be from that quarter. The next night the combined force threw in a great number of ten inch shells, and the besieged fired a number of shot from an eighteen gun battery, erected on their left, near the barracks. At day-light on the morning of the 4th, the combined armies opened upon the be- sieged with nine mortars and thirty-seven pieces of cannon from the land, and sixteen cannon on the water, which was continued during the day ; but the effects were only felt by the people of the town. On the 6th, several carcasses were thrown into the town, one of which took effect and burned a house. About eleven o'clock, a parley was beaten, and the following letter was written by Provost to the commander of the French army : " Savannah, October 6, 1779.
" SIR-I am persuaded your excellency will do me justice, and that, in defending this place and the army committed to my charge, I fulfil what is due to honour 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 by women and children : several of
داد
262
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
them have applied to me, that I might request the favour you would allow them to embark on board a ship 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."
The allied generals considered this as another pretext for gaming time, to answer some advanta- geous purpose. The application from general M'I tosh, was in substance, to the same effect.
" Camp before Savannah, October 6, 1779.
"SIR-We are persuaded that your excel- lency knows all that your duty prescribes ; per- haps your zeal has already interfered with your judgment. The count D'Estaing in his own name, notified to you, that you would be person- ally and alone responsible for the consequences of your obstinacy. The time which you informed him, in the commencement of the siege, would be necessary for tl:e arrangement of articles, includ- ing the different orders of men in your town, had no other object than that of receiving succour. Such conduct, Sir, is sufficient to forbid every intercourse between us, which might occasion the least loss of time ; besides, in the present ap- plication, latent reasons may 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 functions, and we deplore the fate of those persons who will
.
263
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779%
be the victims of your conduct, and the delu- sion which appears in your mind. We are, with respect, &c."
Count D'Estaing having been a month on the American coast, and the fleet close in shore; his naval officers remonstrated to him, the dangerous situation it was in, and the hazard of being at- tacked by the British fleet, while theirs was in bad condition, and while many of their officers and men were- on shore. To these remonstrances were added, the commencement of an extraordi- nary portion of disease in the French camp, and the approach of the hurricane season, usually so destructive on the southern sea coast of the Unit- ed-States. These representations determined the count D'Estaing to call a council of war, in which it was the opinion of the engineers, that it would require ten days more to work into the enemy's lines ; upon which it was determined to try to carry them by an assault.
.
On the morning of the 8th, major L'Enfant, with five men, marched through a brisk fire from the British lines and set fire to the abatis, but the dampness of the air prevented the green wood from burning.
On the same day, the following order was is- sued by general Lincoln :
" Watch word-Lewis.
" The soldiers will be immediately supplied with forty rounds of cartridges, a spare flint, and their arms in good order.
264
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
" The infantry destined for the attack of S .:. vannah, will be divided into two bodies : the first composing the light troops, under the command of colonel Laurens : the second, of the continent- al battalions and the first battalion of Charleston 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 in. fantry, and follow the left column of the French troops, and precede the column of the American light troops : they will endeavour to penetrate the enemy's lines between the battery on the left ci the Spring-hill redoubt, and the next toward the river. Having effected this, they will pass to the left toward Yamacraw, and secure such parties 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 ap- pointed, with the utmost silence and punctuality. and be ready to march the instant count D'E .. taing and general Lincoln shall order.
" The light troops who are to follow the ca. valry, will attempt to enter the redoubt on the left
265
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
of the Spring-hill, by escalade if possible ; if not by entrance into it. They are to be supported, it necessary, by the first South-Carolina regi- ment : 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 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, without 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 punisha. ble with death.
" The militia of the first and second brigades, general Williamson's and the first and second bat- talions of Charleston militia, will parade immedi- ately under the command of general Isaac Huger, after drafting five hundred of them; the remainder 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, without being discovered, until four
34
--
266
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
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 favourable opportunity offer, he will improve it and push into the town.
" In case of a repulse, after having taken the Spring hill redoubt, 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 Jew's burving 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."
On the night of the 8th, a sergeant of the Charleston grenadiers deserted, and communicat- ed to the British general the plan of attack and . the time when it was to be made : being apprised that the Spring-hill redoubt and batteries, was the point where the principal effort was to be sus- tained ; and that the menace on the left of the works, by Huger, was but a feint ; he made his dispositions accordingly. He removed the prin- cipal part of his force from the left of his works, to the right, near to the Spring-hill, and placed that part of the defences under the orders of lieu- tenant-colonel Maitland.
267
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
By the general order, the assault was to be made at four o'clock in the morning ; but it being delayed until clear day-light, an opportunity was. afforded to the garrison of directing their fire on the advancing columns of the assailants, with full effect, by which they suffered severely, before they reached the British works. The French co. lumns passed the abatis, crowded into the moat, , and ascended to the berm, under a galling fire in front and flank : the carnage was great, without their being able to make any useful impression. Lieutenant-colonel Laurens, with the light troops, advanced by the left of the French column, and attacked Maitland's redoubt, commanded by cap- tain T'aws, and succeeded in gaining the parapet, where lieutenants Hume and Bush set the colours of the second regiment of South- Carolina : those gallant officers both fell ; and lieutenant Gray supported the colours, and was mortally wound- ed; sergeant Jasper seeing that Gray had fallen, seized the colours, and supported them until he received a wound, which proved mortal: here the assault was lively and determined, and the resis- tance steady and resolute : general M'Intosh, at the head of the left column of the American troops, had passed the abatis and entered the ditch of the works; north of the Maitland redoubt. Count D'Estaing received a wound in the arm, early in the assault ; and at this point of time re- ceived a wound in the thigh, which made it ne- cessary to bear him off the field. Count Pulaski
-
268
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
attempted to pass the works into the town, and received a small cannon shot in the groin, of which he fell near the abatis. Huger had waded half a mile through a rice field, and made the at. tack assigned to him, at the time mentioned .. He was received with music, and a warm fire of cannon and musketry ; and after having lost twen- ty-eight men, and accomplished the intended ob- ject of his orders, retreated. When the head of the American left had advanced to the moat ; further impressions appeared doubtful, if not im- practicable ; the commanding generals ordered a retreat : major Glasier of the 60th regiment, with the British grenadiers and marines of reserve, had been ordered to support the points assailed : Gla- sier made a sortie at the moment the order for re- treat was given, and charged the American co- lumn under M'Intosh, in flank, and pursued that and the other troops in succession to the abatis, and the assailants retreated in disorder. The at- tack was made and supported with spirit and pa- tient bravery, and the defence made with confi- dence and courage. The fire from the seamen's batteries, and the field artillery, traversed the as- sailants in all directions; in the advance, attack, and retreat ; and the consequent slaughter of the combined troops was great.
On the retreat, it was recollected by his corps, that count Pulaski had been left near to the abatis: some of his men displayed great courage and per- sonal attachment, in returning through the firing,
.
269
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
though covered by the smoke, to the place where he lay wounded, and bore him off.
The combined army sustained a loss of six hundred and thirty-seven French, and four hun- dred and fifty-seven continental troops and militia, in killed and wounded; among the latter was the count D'Estaing, major-general De Fontanges, the chevalier D'Ernonville, * the count Pulaski, and many other officers of distinction. The British loss, during the assault, was only fifty-five killed and wounded. Their loss during the siege is not known.
The combined force, employed against Sa- vannah, appears to have been as follows :- French troops, 2,823
Continental troops, including the 5th regi- ment of South-Carolina infantry, 1,003
Hayward's artillery, 65
Charleston volunteers and militia, 365
General Williamson's brigade, 212
'Twigg's & Few's regiments, Georgia militia 232 Pulaski's dragoons, 250
Total, 4,950
· D'Ernonville was taken prisoner : his arm was broken by a ball ; and if he would have submitted to an amputation, would probably have survived : when urged to the measure by general Provost, he refused; alledging, that with but one hand, he could not serve his prince in the field ; and if so disabled, life was not worth preserving. He died on the 25th of December, and was buried with the honours of war : his funeral was attended by ge- nerals Provost and Leslie, and almost all the British officers in Savannah. He was from Louisiana, where many of his respectable relations now reside:
1
270
HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779.
The British force consisted of two thousand eight hundred and fifty men, including one hun- dred and fifty militia, some Indians, and three hundred armed slaves .*
At ten o'clock a truce was desired by the combined army, for the purpose of burying the dead and removing the wounded. The truce was granted for four hours, but the indulgence of burial and removal, was only extended to those who lay at a distance from the British lines : such as were within, or near the abatis, were buricd by the British. Two hundred and thirty dead bodies, and one hundred and sixteen wounded, were delivered up, on giving a receipt for the latter, to be accounted for as prisoners of war.
About one thousand shells, and twenty car- casses, were thrown into the town during the siege : three or four houses were burned by the latter. When the French fleet first appeared off Savannah, the British had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted on the works in the town : on the day of the assault there were one hundred and eighteen pieces.
A number of Georgia officers who had no command, and other private gentlemen, formed a volunteer corps under colonel Leonard Marbury, consisting of about thirty : of this number, four were killed, and seven wounded. . Charles Price,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.