THE WAR IN GEORGIA.

CHAPTER CXVII.

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PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED.-Events in Georgia.

1. THERE was little severe fighting this year, 1778, between the regular troops of the two great contending armies, except what has been mentioned. The only additional movements, worthy of notice, were the invasion of Georgia from two very different points-Florida and New York.

2. During the summer, two parties of British regulars and American refugees made a sudden and rapid incursion from Florida into Georgia. One of the parties, advancing to a fort in Sunbury, twenty-eight miles south-west from Savannah, summoned it to surrender; but, on receiving from the commander the laconic answer, “Come and take it,” they abandoned the enterprise.

3. The other party went toward Savannah, but after meeting with many attacks from the militia as they passed along, and hearing of the failure of the other party, they returned. In their return, they burned the church and nearly every house in the village of Medway, and carried off the slaves, cattle, and other property.

4. This was followed by an expedition from Georgia and South Carolina of two thousand men, chiefly militia, into Florida. They proceeded to a fort on the river St. Mary's, which they destroyed, and then, after some skirmishing, advanced toward St. Augustine. But a mortal sickness having attacked the troops and swept away one-fourth of them, the survivors returned.

5. The second invasion of Georgia was undertaken much later in the season than the former. On the 27th of November, Colonel Campbell, with two thousand British troops, left New York, and in three weeks landed at the mouth of the Savannah River. Near Savannah were six hundred regular American troops and a few militia.

6. The British, being about to make an attack, were shown by a negro a private path leading to the rear of the American forces, of which they availed themselves. The latter, finding the enemy both in their front and rear, attempted to fly, but were mostly taken or slain, and the fort and town of Savannah fell into British hands.

7. The victory at Savannah was followed up as closely as possible by the British troops, and the fort at Sunbury soon surrendered to them and the Florida forces. The combined troops of New York and

CHAP. CXVII.-1. What of the invasion of Georgia? 2. Describe the incursions into Georgia. 3. What of the other party? 4. What of the expedition into Florida? 5. Describe the second invasion of Georgia. 6. Who betrayed Savannah into the hands of the British ?

St. Augustine now held, and for some time continued to hold, possession of the state of Georgia.

8. Such of the Americans as had been taken prisoners during the war between Britain and the United States, and had not yet been exchanged, were kept in prison-ships, in New York and elsewhere, and in jails in England. Those in prison-ships often suffered extremely, and many died of their sufferings and by disease. Great and just complaint, in regard to their treatment, was made both at home and abroad.

9. Just at the close of the year 1778, a meeting was held in London for the relief of the American prisoners confined in British jails, of which there were about one thousand. Subscriptions were opened, both in London and in the country. By January 10, 1779, the subscriptions amounted to three thousand eight hundred and fifteen pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence, or nearly nineteen thousand dollars. These proceedings, on the part of the people of the hostile country, are sufficient evidences of the inhumanity practised towards the American prisoners; while it may also be taken as evidence of the sensibility of the British people to these enormities.

CHAPTER CXVIII.

PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED. The British at Charleston.

1. NEAR the close of 1778, General Lincoln had been appointed to

take command of the army

at the south. He was an excellent officer; and having been next in command to General Gates, in the movements against Burgoyne in the north, was there active, faithful and successful in all his operations.

2. Very early in the year 1779, he proceeded to the post assigned him. As Georgia was now overrun by the British troops, he took his stand on

board the northern side of the Savannah River. Soon after his arrival, a detachment of fifteen

GENERAL LINCOLN.

7. Who held possession of the state of Georgia? 8. What of the American prisoners during the Revolutionary war? 9. What was done in London?

CHAP. CXVIII.-1. What can you say of General Lincoln ?

THE BRITISH AT CHARLESTON.

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hundred North Carolina militia and sixty regular troops, under General Ash, having crossed the river, were defeated by General Prevost with great loss.

3. But General Lincoln, nothing daunted, marched his army toward Augusta, the head-quarters of General Prevost. His whole forces now amounted to five thousand. General Prevost, with twentyfour hundred men, left Augusta about the same time for Charleston. As Lincoln supposed this to be a feint to draw him from his design, he continued his march.

4. When the British were about half way from Augusta to Charleston they halted two or three days, which gave time for putting the latter in a state of defence. All the houses in the suburbs were burnt, cannon were placed around the city at proper intervals, and a force of three thousand three hundred men were assembled for its defence.

5. The enemy reached the city and summoned it to surrender on the 12th of May. The inhabitants contrived to spend the day in parleying, before they gave an answer, that they might gain time. When, however, they were told that if they surrendered, it must be as prisoners of war, the negotiation terminated, and they prepared for an assault.

6. To their surprise, however, no attack was made, and the British, during the following night, withdrew their forces, and, crossing Ashley Ferry, encamped near the sea. General Lincoln soon arrived, and stationed his forces near Charleston, unwilling to risk a general battle if he could help it.

7. However, he was not disposed to be idle, and learning the weak state of a British fort at Stone Ferry, he advanced against it with twelve hundred men. The Americans had the advantage in the fight, though they thought it necessary to retreat soon afterward. General Prevost, about the same time, left the vicinity of Charleston, and his main army retreated to Savannah.

2. Where did he station himself? What battle was now fought? 3. What of General Lincoln's forces? What of Prevost? 4. What preparations were made at Charleston for defence? 5. What of the inhabitants of Charleston? 6. What did the British now do? What of General Lincoln? 7. What engagement was there at Stone Ferry? General Prevost?

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CHAPTER CXIX.

PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED.-Attack of the Americans on Savannah.

1. COUNT d'ESTAING, after his fleet had refitted in Boston, sailed for the West Indies, where he remained till the next summer. Не arrived on the coast of Georgia so unexpectedly to the British, that, before they were ready to meet him, he had captured one man-of-war of fifty guns, and three frigates.

2. General Lincoln had long expected him, and when it was known that he had arrived, he marched with his regular troops and a considerable body of Carolina and Georgia mia to Savannah. Before he arrived, however, d'Estaing was there, and had summoned the place to surrender.

3. General Prevost, on receiving the summons, asked for a day to consider it, which was granted. In the mean time, however, receiving a reinforcement of eight hundred men, his courage was so much increased that he determined to defend himself to the last.

4. On the morning of October 4, the American and French forces laid siege to the place, and, on the 9th, a direct assault was made, which was repulsed. The invaders rallied, and a desperate battle was kept up for some time, when the French and Americans were obliged to retire with a very heavy loss. Of the former, six hundred and thirty-seven were killed or wounded; of the latter, two hundred and forty-one.

5. Count Pulaski, the Polish nobleman, was wounded in the battle, and soon afterward died, as we have already stated. He was one of those who carried off Stanislaus, king of Poland, from his capital, and who, in consequence of this act, after the king made his escape, were proscribed as outlaws.

6. The attack on Savannah was doubtless ill-judged and premature. It was hastened on by d'Estaing. Had the siege been conducted more slowly it might have been successful. After the siege was raised, nearly all the American troops went to their homes, and d'Estaing re-embarked and sailed for Europe.

CHAP. CXIX.-1. What of Count d'Estaing after refitting his fleet? 2. What did General Lincoln do on the arrival of d'Estaing? 3. How was General Prevost encouraged? 4. Describe the siege and assault. What was the French and American loss? 5. What can you say of Count Pulaski? 6. Was the attack on Savannah well timed? What of the American and French troops?

PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED.-Events in Connecticut.-General Putnam.

1. THE northern department of the American army had chiefly wintered, 1778-1779, near the Hudson-some on the New Jersey side, and some on the other. Two brigades were as high up as West Point. Three brigades were also quartered near Danbury, in Connecticut.

2. Thus arranged with regard to New York, they could not only watch the movements of the enemy, but keep up a communication with each other, and be able to act in concert, should it be necessary. General McDougall commanded in the Highlands, and General Putnam

CHAP. CXX.--1. How was the northern American army stationed during the winter of 7778-1779? 2. What advantages were derived from this arrangement ? Who com manded in the Highlands? Who at Danbury?