CHAPTER XX pages 375-396 By Charles C. Jones Volume II - Revolutionary Epoch, 1888 Submitted by: Dena Whitesell The treaties of commerce and alliance with Louis the Sixteenth were, by the Continental Congress, unanimously ratified on the 4th of May, 1778. Frenchmen were welcomed as the best friends of America, and the king of France was proclaimed " the protector of the rights of mankind." Profound acknowledgments were rendered to a gracious Providence for raising up so powerful an ally. The independence of the United Colonies was now regarded as no longer in doubt and there waa great joy throughout the length and breadth of the land. Arriving too late to overtake the squadron and transports of Lord Howe on their retreat from Philadelphia, Admiral the Count d'Estaing, with his twelve ships of the line and three frigates, followed his enemy to the north and for some time anchored within Sandy Hook, where he intercepted British merchantmen bound for New York. Subsequently baffled at Newport in his attempt to force an action with the English fleet, and sorely en-damaged by a hurricane, the French admiral repaired to Boston, and thence sailed for the protection of the French Windward Islands. In January, 1779, so completely was maritime superiority in that quarter transferred to England by the arrival of strong reinforcements under Admiral Byron that for six months D'Estaing was forced to shelter his fleet within the bay of Port Royal. Taking advantage of the absence of the British admiral who was convoying a fleet of merchant ships through the passages, the French count, in gallant style, reduced both St. Vincent and Grenada; and afterwards, in a running fight, so crippled the returned British squadron that the superiority of France was reestablished in those waters. It was just at this favorable moment that letters came from M. Gerard, the French minister, General Lincoln, and M. Plombard, the French consul at Charlestown, entreating Count d'Estaing to cooperate with the American forces for the capture of Savannah. In this solicitation Governor Rutledge earnestly joined. Exulting in the victory which he had recently won over Lord Macartney at Grenada, rejoicing in the restoration of French supremacy in the West Indies, anxious to retrieve the military fortunes which had miscarried during his demonstrations on the American coast the previous year, and acting within the general instructions he had received from his home government, Count d'Estaing readily yielded to this request and entered heartily into the scheme for dislodging the enemy from Savannah. Sailing from the Windward Islands he reached the coast of Georgia on the 1st of September, 1779, with a fleet consisting of twenty-two ships of the line, ten frigates, and one cutter. Several barges, transport schooners, and American veasels accompanied the expedition. So sudden and unexpected was this descent that several English vessels, wholly unconscious of impending danger, were captured at and near the mouth of the Savannah River. The Viscount de Fontanges, adjutant-general of the army, was at once dispatched by the count in the frigate Amazon, commanded by the famous navigator La Perouse, to proceed to Charlestown and arrange with General Lincoln and the American authorities a suitable plan of operations. He arrived at that city on the 4th of September and a concert of action was quickly agreed upon. Boats were sent from Charlestown to assist in landing troops, ordnance, and stores. Colonel Cambray, of the engineers, Colonel Thomas Pinckney, aid to General Lincoln, Captain Gadsden, and a few other intelligent officers were detailed to return with the viscount and assist the admiral in consummating his landing upon the Georgia coast. At Ossabaw Count d'Estaing was to be met by Colonel Joseph Habersham, who proceeded thither to join the fleet and indicate a proper place for the debarkation of the troops. The French fleet, which had been somewhat scattered by a rough sea and high winds, was entirely united on the 4th. On the 9th, D'Estaing, on board the Ghim&re, accompanied by three other frigates, forced a passage across the bar of the Savannah River. Upon the approach of these war vessels the English ships Rose, Fowey, Keppel, and Germain, the Comet, a galley, and several small craft which had been lying in Tybee Roads, weighed anchor and retired to Five-Fathom Hole. From Fort Tybee — located near the light-house on the northern extremity of Great Tybee Island, designed to guard the entrance into Savannah River, and armed with a twenty-four-pounder gun and an eight-and-a-half-inch howitzer — fire was opened upon the French squadron, but it proved entirely innocuous. A detachment of troops was thrown upon the island. Fort Tybee was immediately abandoned by its garrison, which succeeded in effecting its escape. After occupying the island during the night, and finding it entirely deserted by the enemy, the detachment was withdrawn the next morning. On Saturday, the 11th, the fleet rendezvoused in Ossabaw Sound, and at nine o'clock the next evening twelve hundred men, selected from various regiments, were successfully landed at Beaulieu. At this point, formerly the residence of Colonel William Stephens, a small force of the enemy, with two field-pieces, had been stationed. It was withdrawn, however, on the appearance of the fleet, and no opposition was encountered by the boats conveying the troops from the ships. The further debarkation of the land army was interrupted for several days by high winds, which, increasing to a gale, compelled many of the ships to slip their cables and seek the open sea. Several vessels were seriously injured, and the anchorage which they were forced to abandon was not fairly regained by all of them until the 20th. Wednesday, the 15th, proving a calm day, the boats from the vessels within convenient reach were busily occupied in landing additional troops. The same day the twelve hundred men first put on shore advanced from Beaulieu and formed a new camp three miles from Savannah. This little army was composed of three divisions. The centre was commanded by D'Estaing, the right by Dillon, and the left by Noailles. On the 11th the frigate Amazon, of thirty-six guns, commanded by Perouse had, after a gallant resistance offered on the part of the English commander, succeeded in capturing the Ariel of twenty-four guns. Some two weeks afterwards his majesty's ship Experiment, which had lost her bowsprit and masts in a gale of wind encountered on her passage from New York to Savannah, the Myrtle, a navy victualer, and the store-ship Champion were also captured. This encampment of the French army being established, reinforcements were rapidly pushed forward as they were landed at Beaulieu. It will be remembered that Savannah could not then boast of more than four hundred and thirty houses. Most of them were wooden structures. Using the present names of the streets, the boundaries of the town were the Bay on the north, Lincoln Street on the east, SotUh Broad Street on the south, and Jefferson Street on the west. Outside the limits indicated were some scattering abodes, and these appeared principally on the east and west Count Pulaski, who, after General Prevost's retreat from South Carolina, had taken post on a ridge fifty miles northeast of Augusta that he might the more readily obtain provisions for and restore the health of his legion, and at the same time be within supporting distance of either Cbarlestown or Augusta as occasion required, was ordered to join General Lachlan Mclntosh at the latter place. With this united command General McIntosh was directed to move towards Savannah in advance of the army under General Lincoln which was approaching from the direction of Charlestown, attack the British outposts, and establish communication with the French troops on die coast. Pressing forward, Count Pulaski cut off one of the enemy's pickets, killing and wounding five men and capturing a subaltern and five privates. Skirmishing with the British outposts, he hastened onward toward Beaulieu in the midst of a heavy rain. There he found Count d'Estaing. In the language of Captain Bentalou, these officers " cordially embraced and expressed mutual happiness at the meeting." Count Pulaski was then informed by the French admiral that he intended, without waiting for General Lincoln, to move at once upon Savannah and that " he counted on his Legion to form his van." " In pursuance of this wish," continues Bentalou, " we set out immediately and reached Savannah some time before d'Estaing, where we engaged and cut off an advanced picket of the enemy's infantry." Reaching the vicinity of Savannah in advance of the forces under General Lincoln, General Mclntosh occupied a position between the town and Great Ogeechee ferry, and there awaited the concentration of the allied armies. During the 12th and the 18th General Lincoln was engagedin crossing his command over the Savannah at Zubly's ferry. Considerable delay was experienced in consequence of the fact that the enemy had either secured or destroyed most of the boats on the river. On the afternoon of the 13th General Mclntosh formed a junction with the advance guard of Lincoln's army; and on the night of the 15th the two commands, now wholly united, encamped at Cherokee Hill. On the 16th of September and prior to the arrival of the American forces under General Lincoln, Count d'Estaing, accompanied by the grenadiers of Auxerrois and the chasseurs of Champagne and of Guadeloupe, sent to Major-General Augustine Prevost, commanding the British army, this summons requiring a surrender of Savannah to the king of France: — " Count d'Estaing summons his Excellency General Prevost to surrender himself to the arms of his Majesty the King of France. He admonishes him that he will be personally answerable for every event and misfortune attending a defence demonstrated to be absolutely impossible and useless from the superiority of the force which attacks him by land and sea. He also warns him that he will be nominally and personally answerable henceforward for the burning, previous to or at the hour of attack, of any ships or vessels of war or merchant ships in the Savannah River, as well as of magazines in the town. "The situation of the Morne de l'Hopital in Grenada, the strength of the three redoubts which defended it, the disproportion betwixt the number of the French troops now before Savannah and the inconsiderable detachment which took Grenada by assault, should be a lesson for the future. Humanity requires that Count d'Estaing should remind you of it. After this he can have nothing with which to reproach himself. "Lord Macartney had the good fortune to escape in person on the first onset of troops forcing a town sword in hand, but having shut up his valuable effects in a fort deemed impregnable by all his officers and engineers, it was impossible for Count d'Estaing to be happy enough to prevent the whole from being pillaged." To this threatening and pompous demand Major-General Prevost thus responded: — "Savannah, September 16th, 1779 "Sir,—I am just now honored with your Excellency's letter of this date, containing a summons for me to surrender this town to the arms of his Majesty the King of France, which I had just " I hope your Excellency will have a better opinion of me and of British troops than to think either will surrender on general summons without any specific terms. " If you, Sir, have any to propose that may with honor be accepted of by me, you can mention them both with regard to civil and military, and I will then give my answer. In the meantime I will promise upon my honor that nothing with my consent or knowledge shall be destroyed in either this town or river." The following is Count d'Estaing's reply: — "Camp before Savannah, September l6th, 1779. "Sir, — I have just received your Excellency's answer to the letter I had the honor of writing to you this morning. You are sensible that it is the part of the Besieged to propose such terms as they may desire, and you cannot doubt of the satisfaction I shall have in consenting to those which I can accept consistently with my duty. " I am informed that you continue intrenching yourself. It is a matter of very little importance to me. However, for form's sake, I must desire that you will desist during our conferences. "The different columns, which I had ordered to stop, will continue their march, but without approaching your posts or reconnoitering your situation. " P. S. I apprize your Excellency that I have not been able to refuse the Army of the United States uniting itself with that of the King. The junction will probably be effected this day. If I have not an answer therefore immediately, you must confer in future with General Lincoln and me." To this General Prevost promptly responded: — "Savannah, September 16th, 1779 " Sir, — I am honored with your Excellency's letter in reply to mine of this day. The business we have in hand being of importance, there being various interests to discuss, a just time is absolutely necessary to deliberate. I am therefore to propose that a cessation of hostilities shall take place for twenty-four hours from this date: and to request that your Excellency will order your columns to fall back to a greater distance and out of sight of our works or I shall think myself under the necessity to direct their being fired upon. If they did not reconnoitre anything this afternoon, they were sure within the distance." Without waiting to advise with General Lincoln in regard to the propriety of granting General Prevost's request, Count d'Estaing imprudently replied as follows: — " Camp before Savannah, September 16, 1779. " Sir, -I consent to the truce you ask. It shall continue till the signal for retreat tomorrow night, the 17th, which will serve also to announce the recommencement of hostilities. It is unnecessary to observe to your Excellency that this suspension of arms is entirely in your favor, since I cannot be certain that you will not make use of it to fortify yourself, at the same time that the propositions you shall make may be inadmissible. "I must observe to you also how important it is that you should be fully aware of your own situation as well as that of the troops under your command. Be assured that I am thoroughly acquainted with it. Your knowledge in military affairs will not suffer you to be ignorant that a due examination of that circumstance always precedes the march of the columns, and that this preliminary is not carried into execution by the mere show of troops. " I have ordered them to withdraw before night comes on to prevent any cause of complaint on your part. I understand that my civility in this respect has been the occasion that the Chevalier de Chambis, a lieutenant in the Navy, has been made a prisoner of war. " I propose sending out some small advanced posts tomorrow morning. They will place themselves in such a situation as to have in view the four entrances into the wood in order to prevent a similar mistake in future. I do not know whether two columns commanded by the Viscount de Noailles and the Count de Dillon have shown too much ardor, or whether your can-noniers have not paid a proper respect to the truce subsisting between us: but this I know, that what has happened this night is a proof that matters will soon come to a decision between us one way or another." The junction of General Lincoln's forces with those of Count d'Estaing was effected before the lines of Savannah on the 16th of September, 1779. The Americans were in high spirits. With the cooperation of the French it was confidently believed that the discomfiture of the English garrison and the capture of Savannah would prove a certain and easy task. No fears of possible misadventure were entertained. The French camp, which at first was pitched southeast of the town, was quickly changed and located almost directly south of Savannah. Its front was well-nigh parallel with the streets running east and west General de Dillon commanded the right, Count d'Estaing the centre, and the Count de Noailles the left. General Lincoln's command was posted to the southwest; the front of his line looking nearly east, and his rear protected by the Springfield plantation swamp. About midway between these armies, and looking directly north, was the cavalry camp of Count Pulaski. Fatal was the error committed by the French admiral in consenting to this suspension of hostilities for the space of twenty-four hours. When the French fleet first appeared off the Georgia coast the English had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted upon their works around Savannah. On the morning of the assault one hundred more were in position. It would seem that for some months after the capture of Savannah in December, 1778, the English did not materially alter or strengthen the works which the Americans had constructed for the protection of the southern, eastern, and western exposures of the town. So soon, however, as this crisis was upon them the utmost activity was displayed. Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger, with his detachment, was withdrawn from Sunbury. Troops were recalled from outlying posts, and Colonel Maitland was ordered to move promptly for the relief of Savannah. In addition to the garrison, between four and five hundred negroes were put to work upon the lines. The war vessels in the river were stripped of their batteries that they might arm the earthworks. So rapidly did the labor progress that before the French and Americans opened fire from their trenches the British had raised around the town thirteen substantial redoubts and fifteen gun-batteries mounting eighty pieces of cannon. These batteries were manned by sailors from the Fowey, the Rose, and the Eeppel, and by mariners and volunteers from other ships and transports in the river. Besides these guns in fixed position field-pieces were distributed at intervals. Ships were sunk both above and below the town to occlude the channel and prevent the near approach of the American and French vessels of war. Captain Moncrieff, the engineer officer in charge, displayed a degree of pluck, energy, and skill worthy of all commendation. When summoned to the relief of Savannah Colonel Maitland was at Beaufort with a detachment of eight hundred men. Arriving at Dawfuskie on the evening of the 16th, he found the Savannah River in the possession of the French, and his further progress by the customary water route checked. While thus embarrassed chance threw in his way some negro fishermen familiar with the creeks permeating the marshes, who informed him of a passage known as Wall's Cut, through Scull Creek, navigable by small boats at high water. A favoring tide and a dense fog enabled him, unperceived by the French, to conduct his command successfully through this unaccustomed avenue. On the afternoon of the 17th he reached Savannah. " The acquisition of this formidable reinforcement," says Captain McCall, headed by an experienced and brave officer, effected a complete change in the dispirited garrison. A signal was made and three cheers were given, which rung from one end of the town to the other." So soon as Colonel Maitland was fairly within the town General Prevost, who had temporized that this most desirable acquisition to his forces might be secured, responded thus : — " Savannah, September 11th, 1779 "Sir, — In answer to the letter of your Excellency which I had the honor to receive about twelve last night, I am to acquaint you that having laid the whole correspondence before the 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 absolutely impregnable, yet that it may and ought to be defended: therefore the evening gun to be fired this evening at an hour before sundown shall be the signal for recommencing hostilities agreeable to your Excellency's proposal," Grave was the mistake committed by Count d'Estaing in not insisting upon an immediate reply to his summons for surrender. So confident was he of success that he would not await the arrival of General Lincoln. Ambitious for the triumph of French arms without the cooperation of the American forces, he sought to monopolize the prize he reckoned within his grasp. So thoroughly did he regard the British garrison as within the range of facile capture that he acceded to the request for delay, little appreciating the disastrous consequences which would ensue from thus toying with his enemy. Intelligent British officers who were present at the siege admitted, when it was over, that the French army alone could have carried Savannah in ten minutes, without the aid of artillery, had an assault been made at the earliest moment. The energy and skill displayed by the English in strengthening the old works, in erecting new ones, in dismantling the vessels of war in the river and placing their guns in battery to the south, east, and west of Savannah, and, above all, the introduction of Colonel Maitland's forces into the town at a most opportune moment, reflect great credit upon those changed with the defense. If, instead of parleying, D'Estaing had insisted upon a prompt response to his summons for surrender, the probability is that Prevost would have acceded to his demand. Had he refused there is little doubt but that the investing army, if immediately put in motion, would have swept over the incomplete intrenchments and restored the capital of Georgia to the possession of the Revolutionists. He was outwitted by the English commander. The accorded delay proved fatal to the enterprise. Disappointed in his expectation of an immediate surrender of Savannah, advised of the arrival of the reinforcement under Colonel Maitland, and doubting the propriety of an assault, D'Estaing resolved to resort to the slower process of a reduction by regular siege and gradual approaches. To this end, and that the town might be absolutely invested on the south, the French commander moved his forces up to within twelve hundred yards of the English lines. The encampment, thus formed, exhibited a front of thirty-two hundred yards. The American troops under Lincoln formed the left of the line, resting upon the swamp which bordered the town on the west. Then came the division of M. de Noailles composed of nine hundred men of the regiments of Champagne, Auxerrois, Foix, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. D'Estaing's division, comprising one thousand men of the regiments of Cambresis, Hainault, the volunteers of Berges, Agenois, Gatinois, the Cape, and Port au Prince, with the artillery, was on the right of Noailles and formed the centre of the French army. Dillon's division, composed of nine hundred men of the regiments of Dillon, Armagnac, and the Volunteer Grenadiers, was posted on the right of D'Estaing. To the right of Dillon's division were the powder magazine, the cattle depot, and a small field hospital. On the right and a little in advance of the depot were the quarters of the dragoons of Cond£ and of Belzunce, numbering fifty men and commanded by M. Dejean. Upon the same alignment and to the right of the dragoons was M. de Rouvrai, with his Volunteer Chasseurs numbering seven hundred and fifty men. Still to the right, and two hundred yards in advance of M. de Rouvrai, was M. des Framais commanding the Grenadier Volunteers and two hundred men of different regiments. He effectually closed the right of the army and rested upon the swamp which bounded the city on the east. It will be perceived by these dispositions, which were concluded on the 22d of September, that Savannah was completely isolated on the land side. The frigate La Truite and two galleys lay in the river within cannon shot of the town. That all communication with the islands, formed by the numerous river mouths, might be effectually cut off, the frigate La Chimdre and the armed store-ship La Bricole were judiciously posted. A large and beautiful house at Thunderbolt was occupied and used as a hospital. From this time forward Thunderbolt was substituted in the stead of Beaulieu as a more convenient point for holding converse with the fleet. The ships Rose and Savannah and four transports, sunk by the English in a narrow part of the river channel a few miles below the town, prevented the French from bringing up their heavy-armed vessels to cooperate in the siege. Small craft sunk above Savannah and a boom stretched across the river did not allow the near approach of the galleys which, passing up the North River round Hutchinson's Island, purposed an attack from that direction. Guns mounted upon the bold bluff served also to protect the northern exposure of Savannah from a close and effectual fire. The American forces concentrated under the command of General Lincoln numbered about twenty-one hundred men of all arms. After the arrival of Colonel Maitland and his command the British force within the lines of Savannah may be safely estimated at twenty-five hundred men. The siege had now fairly begun, and the French were earnestly employed in landing additional troops from the fleet, and in transporting cannon, mortars, and ammunition for the bombardment of the town. Guarded by deep and impracticable swamps on the east and west, and with a river in front which the enemy had occluded above and below so as to prevent the near approach of the French war vessels, the attention of General Prevost was directed to fortifying the southern exposure of Savannah. Upon the deployment of the French army before the town the British had thrown up an intrenchment and several batteries the front of which was obstructed by abattis. These works were strengthened by three redoubts located triangularly at the western extremity of the line, two mortar batteries, each mounting three or four pieces, and two redoubts erected on the left of the intrenchments. During the progress of the siege these fortifications, extending entirely across the high ground south of the town from the low grounds on the east to the swamp on the west and bending back on either hand to the river, were vastly improved. In the river, at the northwestern extremity of the town, were stationed a frigate with a battery of nine-pounder guns and two galleys armed with eighteen-pounders. General Prevost's first disposition of troops was made in accordance with the following orders, issued on the 9th of September:— " The regiment of Wissenbach to take their ground of encampment; likewise the 2nd battalion of General Delancey's. In case of an alarm, which will be known by the beating to arms both at the Barracks and main guard, the troops are to repair to their several posts without confusion or tumult. "Captain Stuart of the British Legion will take post with his men in the work on the right near the river. The main guard to be relieved by convalescents from the Hessians. " Major Wright's corps to send their convalescents in the old fort. Twenty four men in the small redoubt, and seventy men in the left flank redoubt upon the road to Tattnalls. " The militia to assemble in rear of the Barracks. "The Light Infantry, the Dragoons, and Carolina Light Hone as a reserve, two hundred yards behind the Barracks. "The King's Rangers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, in the small redoubt on the right, with fifty men: the remainder extending towards the larger redoubt on the right. " The Carolinians divided equally in the two large redoubts. "The Battalion men of the 60th Regiment in the right redoubt. The Grenadiers on the left, extending along the abatis towards the Barracks: the Hessians on their left, so as to fill up the space to the Barracks. " On the left of the Barracks, the 3rd battalion of Skinner's, General Delancey's, and the New York Volunteers; and on their left the 71st Regiment lining the abatis to the left flank redoubt on the road to Tattnall's. "If all orders are silently and punctually obeyed, the General makes no doubt that, if the enemy should attempt to make an attack, they will be repulsed and the troops maintain their former well-acquired reputation; nor will it be the first time that British and Hessian troops have beat a greater superiority of both French and Americans than it is probable they will have to encounter on this occasion. The General repeats his firm reliance on the spirit and steady coolness of the troops he has the honor to command." Upon the safe entry in Savannah of the reinforcements under the command of Colonel Maitland, and when hostilities were about to be commenced in earnest, General Prevost published this general order: — "Camp before Savannah, 17th September, 1779 "Parole, Maitland. Countersign, St. George. Field officers for to-morrow, Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger and Major Graham. "The troops to be under arms this afternoon at four o'clock. As the enemy is now very near, an attack may be hourly expected. The General therefore desires that the whole may be in instant readiness. By the known steadiness and spirit of the troops he has the most unlimited dependence, doubting nothing of a glorious victory should the enemy try their strength. What is it that may not, by the blessing of God, be expected from the united efforts of British sailors and soldiers and valiant Hessians against an enemy that they have often beat before ? "In case of a night attack, the General earnestly requests the utmost silence to be observed, and attention to the officers, who will be careful that the men do not throw away their fire at random, and warn them earnestly not to fire until ordered." Both armies now prepared for the final struggle. Guns from the French fleet were landed at Thunderbolt, whence they were transported to tne lines before Savannah and placed in position as rapidly as batteries and platforms could be made ready for their reception. The English were delighted at the turn which affairs had taken, and Prevost's chief engineer declared that if the allied army would only resort to the spade and the tedioas operations incident to regular approaches and a protracted bombardment he would pledge himself to accomplish a successful defense of the town. On Wednesday, the 22d, M. de Guillaume, of Noailles' division, attempted, with fifty picked men, to capture an advanced post of the enemy. He was repulsed by a lively fire of artillery and musketry. At three o'clock in the afternoon of the following day a trench was opened by the besiegers at a distance of three hundred yards from the enemy's works, and a detail of six companies made for the protection of the working parties. When a thick fog, which prevailed the next morning, had lifted, the British, perceiving the newly-constructed approach, made a sortie for its capture. Three companies of light infantry under Major Graham constituted the attacking force. The English historians claim that this was simply a demonstration for the purpose of enticing the French out of their lines so that something like an accurate estimate might be formed of their strength. Major Graham retreated with a loss of twenty-one killed and wounded. He was closely pursued by a heavy column of French soldiers who, in their zeal, were drawn within range of the English batteries, which delivered a galling fire. At seven o'clock on the morning of the 25th, fire upon the city was opened from a battery just erected under the supervision of M. de Sauce, an artillery officer, mounting two 18-pounder guns. Upon an inspection of the work, Count d'Estaing ordered this battery to be remodeled and armed with twelve 18 and 12-pounder guns. He further directed that another battery, to contain thirteen 18-pounder guns, should be constructed on the right of the trench. He also located the position for a bomb battery, of nine mortars, two hundred yards to the left and a little in rear of the trench. By the side of this he decided to erect a battery of six 16-pounder guns to be manned by the Americans. Until these works should be completed the count ordered that no firing should occur. 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 absolutely 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 animals 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 condition of our crews during the continuance of the siege of Savannah 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 27 th a sortie was made by Major Archibald McArthur, with a detachment of the 71st regiment, to interrupt 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 mistake 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, General McIntosh solicited General Lincoln's permission to send a flag with a letter to General Prevost to obtain leave for Mrs. Mclntosh 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 McIntoeh, was the bearer of the flag and letter, and found Mrs. Mclntosh 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. 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. Debarking 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. His 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 compelled 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 completed and armed, the bombardment of Savannah commenced atmidnight 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 daybreak 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 bombard 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 them to direct their pieces with proper care. Besides, our projectiles did little damage to workh 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 eight 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 bombardment 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 Pollard, 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. 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 batteries. 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, was burnt by a shell and seven negroes lost their lives. At night another shell fell through Mr. Laurie's house on Broughton 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 British 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 communication, addressed by General Prevost to the commander of the French army, was delivered: — " Camp Savannah, 6th October, 1779 "Sir, — I am persuaded your Excellency will do me the justice 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 protection 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." 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 interfered 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 commencement 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 application 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 functions, and we deplore the fate of those persons who will be victims of your conduct, and the delusion which appears to prevail in your mind. " We are with respect, Sir, Tour Excellency's most obedient Servants, B. Lincoln. D'Estaing. His 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 present 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 Mclntosh 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 (today, Captain John Simpson of the Georgia Loyalists, while walking in Major Wright's redoubt, was killed by a grap-shot. Many houses in Savannah were damaged by the fire of the Allies. One shell fell in the Provost Marshal's office killing two men and wounding nine others. Another burst in the cellar under the office of the Commissioner of Claims, slaying a negro, and wounding another.). We construct a new trench in advance of our left battery to persuade the enemy that we do not yet contemplate an assault, but that our intention is to push our approaches 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 oar 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 dangers 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, prevented general ignition. The approaches of the allied army had now been pushed almost within pistol shot of the English works (We keep up a most incessant cannonade and bombardment," says Major John Jones in a letter dated "Camp before Savannah, 7th October, 1779," "and this evening we shall carry on our approaches 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 compel them by storm. Their investment is complete, and the siege a regular one"). 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 practicable 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 (This deserter was subsequently captured at the battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and was hung for his treachery), 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. 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. "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 Continental 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 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 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 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 transgress in either of these respects shall be reputed a disobey or of military orders, which is punishable with death. " The militia of the first and second brigades, General Williamson'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 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 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 meaut 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-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 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."   BACK TO HISTORY INDEX   ©Genealogy Trails