 | The American war |  |
BOOK VI.
THE ARGUMENT.
Various expeditions in the spring of 1778. Gen. Clinton proceeds by land, through Jersey, to New York; the troops fatigued, impeded, and harrassed on all sides, are at last attacked by large detachments on their flanks, and by Gen. Washington, with the main corps, in the rear; the battle near Freehold; the provincials driven back; and in the night the British army retires from the field of battle, to rejoin their baggage, and march to New York. Count D'Estaing, with a French fleet, anchors at Sandy Hook; proceeds to Rhode Island: Gen. Sullivan advances by land, to attack the garrison at Newport. D'Estaign quits the siege, and plying off at sea, expects Lord Viscount Howe; a storm separates the fleets, and D'Estaing bears away for Boston, to refit: the siege commenced by Gen. Sullivan, and a good defence made by Gen. Pigot, Cap. Brisbane, &c. The provincials retire, are harrassed in their retreat, and quit the island. Several expeditions in the spring of 1779. The fort at Stoney Point attacked by Brigadier-general Wayne, and taken by storm. Col. Maclean's post attacked on the River Penobscot, makes a gallant defence; Commodore Sir George Collier arrives with some frigates, destroys the provincial naval armament, with the transports, &c. D'Estaing arrives from the West Indies, off Tybee Bar; commences the siege of the fort and town of Savannah; is joined by Gen. Lincoln, and Count Polaski, with a large body of the continental forces; the vigilance and bravery of Capt. Moncrief, and other British officers, displayed, during the siege, and in the final storm. The intrepidity of the French and continental troops, and their commanders, in their joint attack: their resolution staggered, the rout commenced, and slaughter in the retreat: the provincials retire from Savannah, the French abandon the enterprize, and with secret expedition embark, and sail for Europe.
At the first op'ning of the rough campaign;
Pigot, and Griffith, jointly strove to mar
Hostile designs, and stop th' approaching war:
With Campbell, Hillman, Brisbane, 'gainst their foes;
Noltenus, Clayton, Kempshorn, Trench, and Coore,
Reeve, Henry, Stanhope, Christian, vengeance bore
To various parts, with many chiefs beside,
By land and sea approv'd, in action try'd.
Which had long time in opposition stood,
And the provincial troops on all sides round,
Had been repell'd, and driv'n to distant ground;
Not long the British forces held the same,
An order for evacuation came:
And gallant Clinton, chief in the command,
Prepar'd to make a dang'rous march by land.
New York the royal mandate pointed out;
Through Jersey lay the gen'ral's destin'd route;
Precaution, skill, and courage, were requir'd,
To march by land, and gain the end desir'd:
The welfare of his army was at stake;
Before he can a single movement make,
Provisions must be got, and waggons found,
To bear the baggage over hostile ground;
Twelve miles they cover'd! and whene'er they mov'd,
A constant cause for close attention prov'd;
This must the British army's march retard;
Demanding thousands for sufficient guard;
And must of course their thin weak flanks expose
To frequent insults from their watchful foes!
Divided thus, and drawn to such a length,
Cou'd not exert their whole compacted strength:
This train of carriages was forward sent,
And with the vanguard, bold Knyphausen went:
With him, Cornwallis in conjunction mov'd,
And good support in time of danger prov'd:
Clinton with British troops brought up the rear;
To face, and fight, shou'd Washington appear:
'Twas almost certain, such a cautious foe,
Wou'd never let them unmolested go
Drawn out to such an unaccustom'd length:
Onward they mov'd, their foes as if they slept,
Had not yet dar'd their march to intercept;
Tho' seemingly at rest, they were employ'd;
The Britons found the bridges were destroy'd;
Which caus'd them disagreeable delays,
'Midst labour, thirst, and dust, of sultry days;
The colonists employ'd that time to form,
And gather round them like a threat'ning storm:
With wonted caution, Washington had sent
Maxwell before, with visible intent,
To join the rouz'd militia, gath'ring round,
And strive to prove they trod forbidden ground:
On the same errand, Morgan forward sped;
Six hundred bold selected men he led,
(Exceeding fit in ambuscade to lie;
All well-accustom'd with discerning eye,
To raise the rifled tube, and send the ball
Against an individual doom'd to fall;)
Whilst Washington, with his collected force,
Most circumspectly follow'd Clinton's course;
Resolv'd a gen'ral action to decline,
(So visibly the British chief's design;)
Halting at Hopewell, distant from his foes,
To give his troops refreshment, and repose,
And with mature deliberation scan,
What might be done in his intended plan.
T' assist and join the force, advanc'd before,
He thence detach'd near fifteen hundred more;
All chosen troops, and led by gallant Scott:
With eager speed, towards the destin'd spot,
A failure, and misfortune to prevent;
Fayette, and Wayne, he chief commanders chose,
To lead this corps, to vex the British foes;
Each officer detach'd on that command,
Resign'd the reins into the Frenchman's hand:
But Washington had some foreboding doubt,
That Clinton wou'd those chosen forces rout;
Reflecting cooly, thought might better be,
Shou'd they be led to fight by British Lee;
And fearing they'd not stand the dreadful test,
With two brigades the gen'ral forward prest:
These were respectable, but had to go
Against no puny despicable foe;
But such as wou'd with fierce resentment burn;
Like lions chaf'd would on their hunters turn:
This Lee well knew, and tho' he brought this aid,
The British troops to harrass and impede,
The various corps at awful distance lay,
Hov'ring around, like rav'nous birds of prey.
Slow, in the rear, march'd Washington along;
His main corps rumour'd full twelve thousand strong,
With him advanced a well-mann'd thund'ring train,
They might the fiercest hostile shock sustain.
Frequent obstructions, from a marshy ground;
But vig'rously attack'd, were soon remov'd.
Near to New York the British army drew,
And Washington now most impatient grew
Of such delay, and order'd Lee more near,
T' attack, and harrass, both their flanks, and rear.
Clinton had been repeatedly alarm'd,
Danger was nigh, and with precaution arm'd,
He rang'd each corps, and station'd them, where best
They might exert themselves, and stand the test.
The baggage mov'd under Knyphausen's care;
Grant, and Cornwallis, station'd very near,
Mov'd as they mov'd, a good sufficient guard,
From that weak part th' expected blow to ward:
Far in the rear the British chief remain'd,
And with him several well try'd corps retain'd;
And in his rear, roll'd on the batt'ring train,
To scour the woods, or sweep th' embattled plain;
Or in a fulminating storm, t' oppose
With the like thunder, near advancing foes.
The messengers, and scouts arriv'd, and gave
Intelligence, alarming to the brave!
That Gates from distant parts was marching on,
T' oppose the passage of the Rariton;
And Washington, and Lee, were near at hand,
With twenty thousand forces at command;
From various parts, their passage to prevent.
They had a dang'rous glorious race to run
Thro' dusty roads, and melting in the sun!
Harrass'd by day, and ev'ry night in dread
Of foes more num'rous, all around them spread!
Morgan, and Dickenson, around them mov'd,
And as they march'd, vexatious neighbours prov'd:
Lee, Maxwell, Scott, and Wayne, with thousands more,
To seize the baggage, were advanc'd before;
If they cou'd rout that long-extended guard,
At least t' alarm, to harrass, and retard;
On either flank were cautiously dispos'd;
The signal giv'n, they with the vanguard clos'd;
Grant, and Knyphausen, ready for th' attack,
Turn'd on their foes, and drove th' assailants back;
The fortieth reg'ment fac'd, and firmly stood;
The light dragoons their scatt'ring foes pursu'd,
Who disappear'd with unexpected speed,
And left them unmolested to proceed.
Fayette, with hostile cavalry drew near
To Clinton's flank, and threat'ning in the rear
Descending Freehold's height, a thund'ring train
Appear'd, whilst yet across the subject plain,
The harrass'd Britons slow advances made,
To expedite their march with cannonade;
But Clinton scorning tamely to retire,
Fac'd, and return'd the Transatlantic fire:
The queen's dragoons his cavalry oppos'd;
Who, stagger'd at the movement, wheel'd, and broke,
Intimidated ere they felt the shock!
Confus'd, upon their infantry fell back,
Inclining them to shun the brisk attack!
Now, like a gath'ring storm, the British rear,
Drew more compact, and fill'd their foes with fear;
By Clinton led, they quick retrod the plain,
The colonists endeavour'd to regain
Th' adjacent height, down which, not long before,
They march'd exulting, with loud threat'ning roar!
Clinton uncertain of the day's event,
For reinforcements from the vanguard sent;
And Washington expecting an attack,
Call'd th' harrassing advancing parties back;
The Transatlantic cannon turn'd, and made
Destructive roar, as they drove retrograde;
Each party quick retrod the ground they'd gain'd,
To reach the spot where Washington remain'd;
At intervals some British troops drew near,
Charg'd in the front, or threaten'd in the rear;
Now they advanc'd, and fought, again retir'd,
Nor were with resolution reinspir'd,
Until the friendly main corps rose in view,
With whom they mix'd, and more determin'd grew.
Now Washington ingenuously confess'd,
He found his chosen thousands closely press'd!
Before they had return'd the British fire!
Surpriz'd! and mortify'd! the Gen'ral stood;
With indignation their confusion view'd!
He join'd the rear amidst the thickest rout;
His presence made them halt, and face about;
A sympathetic resolution wrought
Among the chiefs, whilst Know, and Oswald brought
Their well-serv'd loud artillery to bear,
And check'd the Britons in their brisk career:
Whilst clouds of smoke, and dust, obscur'd the day,
The sun with his meridian sultry ray,
Added fatigue, and thirst, unknown to those,
Who never met with rough encount'ring foes.
The scatter'd colonists now gather'd round,
And took possession of a rising ground;
Behind a deep morass they posted stood;
Their rear defended by a shady wood;
To guard the flank, Green on the right appear'd,
And Stirling on the left his banners rear'd;
And now a gen'ral cannonade ensu'd,
Whilst yet both parties at a distance stood;
But Clinton was on closer battle bent,
Thinking the time to little purpose spent;
Monckton, Trelawney, Matthew, led the way,
With Leslie, Erskine, Patterson, and Grey.
The grenadiers, and guards, first gave the shock,
And foremost, through strong opposition broke;
Where duty call'd, and thickest foes were found,
Intrepid Monckton trod the dang'rous ground;
Before the setting of the scorching sun.
The continental front soon disappear'd;
The second line much firmer persever'd:
Britain's main corps to closest action flew,
With active zeal, and obstinacy too,
The colonists receiv'd them as they clos'd,
And ev'ry effort, vig'rously oppos'd;
From man to man the warlike ardor caught,
For honour, and America they fought;
Begrim'd with sprinkled blood, and dust, and sweat,
In clouds of smoke, encount'ring parties met:
Thus, amidst flaming gloom, both sides engag'd:
As if Vesuvius 'gainst Mount Etna rag'd:
And now the solar heat grew most intense,
Which prov'd of dreadful fatal consequence!
As they advance, and chace, wheel, and retire,
Their constitutions seem'd as if on fire!
They fought in clouds of dust, with sulph'rous smoke,
Which from their engines of destruction broke!
Frail nature sunk beneath th' oppressive weight
Of parching thirst, and dusty scorching heat!
Brave men on both sides fell, gasping for breath,
Without a wound, a prey to greedy death!
The Britons closer press'd, and by the shock,
The continental second line was broke;
Backward they mov'd, a strong position gain'd;
By prudence, heat, and great fatigue restrain'd,
But skirmishing, and 'midst a cannonade,
They strove the continental flanks to gain,
And were repuls'd by Stirling, Green, and Wayne.
The Britons now retir'd, and rang'd remain'd
Upon the ground, they first in battle gain'd;
Their flanks, and front, no sudden onset fear'd,
So formidably posted they appear'd:
Both parties at convenient distance stood,
And for a while each other grimly view'd;
And were surrounded by the shades of night,
Before they recommenc'd the dusty fight:
To join their baggage, in that friendly shade,
The British troops a cautious movement made;
So, near their cubs, th' old lions make a stand,
Prepar'd to meet th' approaching hunting band;
By their loud cries, and numbers, not dismay'd,
They roar collected, scorning to recede;
Whilst each the troop indignantly surveys,
Lashing their sides, then with erected tail,
Each onward springs th' assailants to assail;
They plunge amidst their whole collected force,
Scatter the dogs, bear down both man and horse;
To right and left, they traverse o'er the ground,
And spread the mangled carnage wide around!
Fill the survivors with a cold dismay,
Rejoin their cubs, and growling stalk away.
Thus unmolested, suffer'd to proceed,
The Britons marching on with decent speed,
Rejoin'd their baggage, which, untouch'd they found,
Conducted safely over distant ground;
Whilst Washington, who had so lately try'd
Their skill, and courage, rested satisfy'd,
The bold attempt perhaps might cost too dear,
Shou'd he again attack the British rear.
Towards New York they mov'd, and saw no more
Approaching foes, nor heard their cannon roar.
The Gallic squadron on the coast appear'd;
Soldiers, and sailors, rouz'd at glory's call,
To baffle and oppose the threat'ning Gaul;
From merchant ships the ships of war were mann'd:
Warn'd of the resolution that prevail'd,
D'Estaing soon weigh'd, and to Rhode Island sail'd;
As at New York, he found one martial soul
Seem'd to pervade, and animate the whole;
Pigot, and Brisbane, emulous aspir'd,
Like gallant Howe, and Clinton, nobly fir'd,
With Britain's troops, and rugged tars, t' oppose
The continental troops, and Gallic foes:
The Congress vessels join'd D'Estaing's command,
Whilst Sullivan's large army on the land,
At Providence, for embarkation lay,
They might co-operate by land, and sea:
The French expected succours to be sent;
But none arriving from the continent;
Twelve of the line their near approaches made;
And 'midst a gen'ral constant cannonade
From batt'ries, by the British tars maintain'd,
They fighting pass'd, and Newport's harbour gain'd,
But strange event! instead of an attack,
The French next morn prepar'd for moving back!
They weigh'd, set sail, as on the day before,
The batt'ries pass'd amidst a mutual roar,
Stood off from shore, expecting soon to meet,
In rough engagement with the British fleet;
For Howe had sail'd, (tho' with inferior force,)
From Sandy Hook, and thither shap'd his course.
As they manœuvred on the swelling main:
Two days, and nights, were in this manner spent,
And both sides seem'd on final action bent;
When Providence all potent, interpos'd,
Before the fleets in line of battle clos'd:
With a rough blust'ring storm each squadron strove,
And wide asunder from each other drove;
And as they scatter'd on the troubled sea,
Their boltsprits sprung, roll'd masts and yards away.
The tempest ceas'd, the sea much calmer grew;
Had now an enemy appear'd in view,
The storm had left them in such dismal plight,
That neither squadron seem'd prepar'd for fight,
And to repair the damages sustain'd,
With all convenient speed a port they gain'd.
A formidable threat'ning aspect wore;
Newport became the Gen'ral's chiefest care,
Whilst unobstructed, Sullivan drew near;
Whose army, slow, and cautious, march'd along,
And rumour'd more than twenty thousand strong:
Advanc'd in view, they presently broke ground,
And took convenient stations all around;
Their sev'ral near approaches to prevent;
The num'rous colonists with vigor wrought,
And forward ev'ry apparatus brought;
To right and left, their batt'ries rose to view,
And down the hill they nearer Newport drew,
Mortars, and cannon, now incessant roar'd,
With fulminating batt'ring mischief stor'd:
Thrice they approach'd in front, seem'd undismay'd,
And forc'd the British vet'rans to recede;
And Sullivan th' unwelcome tidings heard
Of Clinton's near approach, they seem'd to slack,
As if inclining to decline th' attack;
Their troubled minds foreboding a defeat,
Their views all center'd in a safe retreat;
To compass their designs, they therefore made
A backward movement, 'midst nocturnal shade;
Foremost, 'mongst those in harrassing employ'd,
Smith, Prescot, Losberg, Bruce, their foe annoy'd;
Marsh, Campbell, Trench, and Coore, bold sons of Mars,
Th' artill'ry corps, join'd by the British tars,
Brown, Fanning, Voit, Noltenus, brought to test,
To meet their foes a readiness exprest.
At intervals, whilst moving retrograde,
Crane, Jackson, Laurens, Livingston, and Wade,
With Lovell, Fleury, Talbot, made an halt,
And first sustain'd the harrassers assault;
And when hard press'd, for the disputed ground,
Green's, Cornell's, Varnum's, in the front were found.
Quaker's and Turkey Hill, the Britons gain'd;
On Bull's commanding height their foes remain'd:
And now, a thund'ring cannonade ensu'd;
The Britons forward mov'd in rough attack,
To win their works, and drive them farther back;
A smart and long engagement was th' event;
Each party reinforcements forward sent;
Both briskly fought, th' assailants and th' assail'd,
Advanc'd, retir'd, and each in turn prevail'd;
And when the grand attack ceas'd all around,
Each army stood retir'd, on rising ground:
A dreadful interval appear'd between,
Where wounded, dead, and dying men were seen!
No foes cou'd seize their prey, no mournful friend,
Dar'd to march forth, and kind assistance lend!
Th' artill'ry yawning stood, prepar'd to throw
A storm of bullets to the vale below.
With night, both parties quitted the dispute,
And the loud thunder of the war grew mute:
The Colonists retir'd to Windmill Height,
But not to rest, for thro' the gloomy night,
To compass their designs, they labour'd hard;
Next morn, perhaps, the Britons might retard
Their further progress, stop their destin'd flight;
Which they perform'd before the morning light.
For safety, to the port of Boston steer'd;
(Dreading a second time with Howe to meet,)
He there refitted his disabled fleet:
Evading offer'd fight, from thence he sail'd,
And 'gainst the isle of Grenada prevail'd.
On devastation Britain's chiefs were bent;
Cornwallis, Clinton, Tryon, mov'd around,
With Tarleton, Stirling, Grey, o'er hostile ground:
Collins, Cox, Ferguson, and Christian sail'd,
And where they came, by land and sea prevail'd;
Collier, and Matthew, likewise jointly bore
Their wasting war to the Virginian shore;
Embark'd with Parker, in the British cause;
They briskly pass'd (as near the town they drew)
A narrow causeway, ditch'd, and swamp'd around,
Leading towards an hostile rising ground:
The Caledonians this obstruction clear'd,
Led on by Maitland, Cameron, and Baird;
The British main corps soon debark'd, and now
The continental forces, under Howe,
Cover'd with cannon, they well posted found,
Who seem'd determin'd to dispute the ground;
Through nat'ral obstacles their passage lay;
A glorious, dang'rous, intersected way!
With caution Campbell held the Britons back;
When, ev'ry corps dispos'd to make th' attack,
They gallantly advanc'd, whilst either side,
Their musquetry, and loud artill'ry ply'd:
Before both parties join'd in closer fight,
Baird rapidly advancing on the right,
Under the covert of a swampy wood,
Had gain'd the rear where Georgia's forces stood;
To closest fight his party quickly flew,
He drove them thence, and seiz'd their cannon too;
To make the rout complete their friends began,
Across his front the Carolinians ran,
Hew'd down, dispers'd, and thinn'd the broken ranks;
The main corps backward shrunk, no longer stood,
Confusion, slaughter, total rout ensu'd!
The fort was taken, with Savannah's town;
The province re-annex'd to Britain's crown.
From St. Augustine's to Savannah came:
Most difficult this expedition prov'd;
'Midst hunger, toils, and cold, the Britons mov'd.
Moultrie's and Lincoln's corps were hov'ring round,
To hem the Britons in a narrow bound;
But Prevost scorning to be held at Bay,
Made an attempt to drive them far away:
To Carolina's bounds, he terror bore;
Towards Charlestown they boldly march'd along,
The town was tenable, the works were strong;
Their flanking naval force banish'd their fear,
And Lincoln with five thousand troops was near;
Prevost judiciously withdrew from thence,
And chose his posts adapted for defence;
Lincoln's collected force, for war prepar'd;
Eight thund'ring cannon their approach declar'd;
They made a bold and spirited attack,
To take, or drive Maitland's detachment back;
Receiv'd the shock, and warm reception gave;
Inspir'd by Maitland, they maintain'd the fight,
And put their num'rous enemies to flight.
This havoc, spreading through the continent;
Chiefly Fort Clinton's, and Montgom'ry's fall,
Which for retaliation seem'd to call;
The rouzing colonists, led on by Wayne,
Grieving for houses burnt, and kinsmen slain;
'Gainst Stoney Point advanc'd, with warlike glow,
Premeditating sudden overthrow:
Buoy'd up by hope, they forward press'd untir'd,
By Butler, Febiger, and Wayne inspir'd:
Upon each flank mounting the parapet,
They forward rush'd, and in the center met:
A torrent of destruction round them flow'd:
Thus intercepted, they cou'd not unite,
And rush imbody'd to commence the fight:
Butler, and Meigs, within the fort they found;
Hull, Febiger, and Wayne, were gath'ring round;
Fleury, and Stewart, boldly rush'd along,
And all towards the place of action throng;
Whilst Mulfree 'gainst the front advanc'd, to pass
Across an intervening deep morass:
Their silent havoc, as injoin'd by Wayne,
Added fresh horror to the gloomy scene!
With bay'nets fix'd, they wounds, and slaughter dealt,
And oft in turn an Highland broad-sword felt,
Or from a random ball receiv'd a blow,
And sunk to earth in sanguin'd overthrow:
Out-number'd, and surpriz'd, in sad suspense,
With minds foredoding fatal consequence,
The British parties were at distance held;
They cou'd not hope their foes cou'd be repel'd:
And the survivors from destruction sav'd.
From town to town the joyful tidings ran,
The state of Massachussets form'd a plan,
To share with Wayne their portion of renown,
Hoping success their enterprize wou'd crown;
Their troops imbody'd 'gainst Maclean were sent,
Conducted by a naval armament,
Which, unobstructed, to Penobscot steer'd,
And near the British settlement appear'd;
They boldly strove to pass the naval bar;
But twice repel'd by Britain's ships of war;
They distant mov'd; with warlike rage inspir'd,
As if repulse each individual fir'd;
Their troops in boats cover'd by naval roar,
Bore opposition down, and gain'd the shore:
Maclean, and Britain's chiefs, undaunted fought;
Each man their flame by inspiration caught;
Join'd by the tars, they rais'd redoubts around,
To render tenable the British ground;
Rough specimens of resolution gave,
Their honour, and th' unfinish'd fort to save:
Oft met in skirmish, and in turn prevail'd.
The Colonists impatient of delay,
And scorning longer to be held at bay;
Boldly resolv'd a gen'ral storm to make;
Their hopes of conquest on th' event to stake.
Before both parties in close action met,
And fiercely struggled at the parapet;
The thund'ring news arriv'd, which cast a damp,
And fill'd with fear the continental camp;
Collier was near, with Britain's naval force,
And up Penobscot River shap'd his course!
They thought of nothing but a sudden flight,
And reimbark'd amidst the shades of night!
But Saltonstall, ignoble flight disdain'd,
And in his station till the morn remain'd;
Across the river in a crescent drew;
And when the British fleet appear'd in view,
They seem'd resolv'd the transports to defend,
And for the passage bravely to contend;
Yet, when they saw the frigates drawing near,
Foreboding tremors, and desponding fear,
Across the crescent flew, their courage fail'd,
Confus'd, they fled before they were assail'd!
Great was the loss, and damage they sustain'd.
Their naval armament and transports lost;
Tho' from Penobscot's distant hostile shore,
Driv'n in distress the desert wilds t' explore,
The Colonists had other schemes in view,
As if with troubles resolution grew:
They meditate revenge, to war inclin'd,
In hope some vulnerable part to find;
To gain their point, their preparations tend;
They 'gainst Savannah join'd their Gallic friend;
Who now arriv'd, (fraught with insidious guile,)
Boasting his conquest o'er Grenada's isle;
Flush'd with success, appear'd off Tybee bar,
And there display'd the threat'ning pomp of war.
Prevost, with Britain's chiefs employ'd each hour,
To baffle and repel the Gallic pow'r;
Moncrief his vigilance and skill display'd,
With judgment most mature the ground survey'd;
To add new batteries incessant wrought,
And rais'd redoubts on each convenient spot:
Brown, Henry, Fisher, full of martial glow,
Quitted their element to fight the foe;
With them, on shore came Britain's active tars,
To take their stations in the field of Mars,
With horse and foot, to join the troops of France.
Ere the Provincials had a junction made,
Or Count D'Estaing began a cannonade;
A flag, and summons, he to Prevost sent,
Fram'd with a view resistance to prevent:
The French were strong, th' insurgents nearer drew;
But Prevost, with procrastinating view
Amus'd D'Estaing, and fortify'd the ground,
And call'd his troops from every post around;
From Beaufort soon the gallant Maitland came,
And brought four hundred to the field of fame;
With indefatigable zeal they strove,
And through each obstacle resistless drove;
Prevost rejoic'd; grew more resolv'd to stand
'Gainst the united force, by sea and land;
Always preparing vig'rously t' oppose
The French force, join'd with continental foes.
To final council call'd; each chief appear'd;
In which not one dissentient voice was heard;
Firmly resolv'd, each officer withdrew;
From post to post, they next their troops review;
In ev'ry face a rough complacence shone,
When their determination was made known;
The seamen gave three loud exulting cheers,
Which rung discordant in the Frenchmen's ears;
And Prevost greatly pleas'd with this event,
The news in thunder from the rampart sent.
They blockaded the town by land and sea;
With formidable aspect nearer drew:
And now like moles, the engineers of France,
By sap, towards the garrison advance.
To vex and check th' advancing foes, and bar
The progress of the subterraneous war;
Two Caledonian chiefs alternate rose,
And gallantly the post of danger chose.
As from a rock, an eagle wings his way,
And sudden souses on his destin'd prey;
So, from the lines, his party Graham led,
And rapidly towards the Frenchmen sped;
His active little corps not only gain'd,
But long the nearest Gallic work maintain'd!
Nor did he quit possession of the ground,
Till much superior forces gather'd round;
Two Gallic columns brisk advanc'd in view;
Moncrief soon drove them back with quicken'd pace,
Behind their works, with slaughter, and disgrace.
Wrapp'd in surrounding gloom, M'Arthur next
Advanc'd, and with uncertainty perplext
The Transatlantics, and their French allies;
Who, suddenly alarm'd, seiz'd with surprize!
With random fire each other much annoy'd;
Mistaken friends confus'd, their friends destroy'd!
To strengthen, add, annoy, and to repair,
Became the daily and nocturnal care
Of Britain's troops, and tars, who firm defy'd
The Colonists, and French, in war ally'd,
The Gallic shells, and hostile cannonade,
Sad havoc, and promiscuous slaughter made!
By a disploding shell, or random ball,
Women, and children, oft were doom'd to fall!
Now Prevost felt corroding cares perplex;
Anxiety to save the softer sex,
And helpless children, all removed far
From the rude shock, and dreadful chance of war,
Mov'd him to send a message to desire
D'Estaing's permission, that they might retire:
Both Lincoln, and D'Estaing, roughly reply'd,
They must the fury of the storm abide;
More poignant anguish, than from wounds of steel!
The troops and tars, rouz'd by this rough reply,
Resolv'd they'd conquer, or wou'd bravely die.
All parley ceas'd, both sides on war intent,
Their shot, and shells, against each other sent.
D'Estaing convinc'd that he must nearer move,
(As distant war cou'd not effective prove,)
Scorning at bay longer retain'd to stand,
Prepar'd to force his way with sword in hand;
Lincoln agreed, and long before the dawn,
French, and Provincials, from their trenches drawn,
Their choice prime vet'ran troops, in darkness hid,
Towards the fort advanc'd with silent speed:
Their destin'd stations gain'd, ere day appear'd,
Their hostile greeting suddenly was heard;
The rough salute the garrison alarm'd,
The troops and tars with emulation warm'd,
To hold that post, or give their comrades aid:
The loud respondent British thunder roar'd;
From well-work'd guns, with grape-shot amply ston'd,
They sent retarding mortal show'rs of balls,
Amongst the Transatlantics, and the Gauls;
From right to left, a fire incessant kept,
Which like the besom of destruction swept!
O'Duin, Fontagne, and Noailles came:
A pow'rful junction Count De Dillon made,
With his Hibernian veteran brigade:
Lincoln, Polaski, oft in battle try'd,
With many gallant chiefs on either side,
Gallic Hibernians, 'mongst the Frenchmen mix'd,
And Transatlantics, with their bay'nets fix'd,
A brisk advancing constant fire maintain'd,
And bought with blood each inch of ground they gain'd!
A painful wound, inflicted by a ball,
D'Estaing receiv'd; but still th' intrepid Gaul,
Press'd onward bleeding, scorning to fall back,
And briskly led his troops 'midst rough attack:
Polaski next, felt a retarding blow,
And down he sunk in mortal overthrow.
'Mongst other chiefs, Fontagne receiv'd a wound,
He turn'd reluctant, limping o'er the ground.
From post to post, Moncrief with ardor flew,
Station'd his corps, and as they nearer drew;
The tars, and bombardiers, sent show'rs of balls,
With lightning wing'd among th' advancing Gauls,
Deform, and thin the Gallic ranks of war.
The continental troops with vigor strove;
And like a torrent, on the Frenchmen drove,
Forward they rush'd as if without dismay!
Through all impediments to force their way!
Where gallant Taws, and Porbeck, honour gain'd,
By Glasier, Wickham, Hamilton sustain'd:
The Frenchmen with each other seem'd to vie,
To mount the parapets, or bravely die!
The Britons nobly rouz'd, as they drew near,
Stood firm, th' assaulted parapets to clear;
The troops and tars, in each attack'd redoubt,
Now labour'd hard to keep th' assailants out;
T' oppose each Frenchman, as he rose to view:
On those in front, the French rear closely prest,
And roughly put their brav'ry to the test!
A Gallic chief all threat'ning dangers brav'd,
And on the parapet his ensign wav'd
Amidst a shout; which Britain's tars return'd,
Each other chear'd, and for close action burn'd;
“Vive le roy!” exclaim'd th' exulting Gaul;
Taws heard indignant, and at glory's call,
With active zeal th' intruding Frenchman met,
And spurn'd him headlong from the parapet:
At his repulse, and death, unterrify'd,
“Vive le roy!” another Frenchman cry'd;
Erect upon the parapet appear'd,
And boldly there a second ensign rear'd!
The fort's defendants, and the troops without,
United, rais'd an animating shout;
Taws forward sprung, gave a repelling blow,
He disappear'd in sanguin'd overthrow;
A purple dye the Gallic ensigns wore,
Trod under foot, and stain'd with Gallic gore.
From place to place, Taws briskly sped t' oppose
The growing torrent of advancing foes;
Where threat'ning danger frown'd, he made a stand,
To check a firm determin'd Gallic band:
Who, with their Transatlantic allies vy'd,
Forward to rush, inspir'd with martial pride!
And seem'd resolv'd no danger shou'd retard,
Tho' Death himself the parapet shou'd guard!
Taws bravely fac'd the foremost, to arrest
His bold intrusion, as he forward prest;
The mortal thrust of Caledonian steel.
Whilst yet he thrust, he felt a fatal ball,
Sent from the tube of an observant Gaul;
Who mark'd the noble stand the Briton made,
And fear'd the future havoc of his blade;
Reluctant stood, and unresolv'd t' advance
Towards that sword, drench'd in the blood of France!
He shunn'd his arm, his frown he could not bear,
Which like the Gorgon's petrify'd with fear!
The fight grew hot, and neither seem'd to slack
In making, or repelling an attack;
Tho' fresh assailing parties pour'd around,
The Britons gallantly maintain'd their ground:
Brown, Henry, Fisher, Lock, and Crawford, made
A constant-most successful cannonade:
Prevost inspir'd Britannia's sons of Mars,
To join in concert with her active tars:
Fraser, and Hamilton, most fiercely glow'd,
To check them on the Ebenezer road:
The vigilant Moncrief travers'd around,
His corps he chear'd, with skill survey'd the ground;
Directing where to strike the wasting blow,
T' accelerate th' assailants overthrow;
Such was th' offensive and defensive war,
They jointly made, it prov'd a mortal bar
To the brisk charge th' assailing forces made;
Who, 'midst that well directed cannonade,
Suspended stood; expecting a defeat,
And meditated on a safe retreat;
Glasier, and Wickham, with the grenadiers,
Like a strong torrent breaking down a mound,
And sweeping rapid o'er th' adjacent ground,
Quitted the lines, and with their bay'nets fix'd,
With martial fury 'mongst th' assailants mix'd!
Widely they spread a sudden overthrow,
And made sad havoc of the scatt'ring foe!
Frowning, they turn'd; and where a party stood,
They drench'd their bay'nets oft in hostile blood.
So, when the Trojans pass'd the Grecian wall,
Pelides (sudden rouz'd at glory's call)
Led on his myrmidons, who trod them down,
And drove them headlong back towards the town.
As round this little party danger grew,
A corps of Caledonians rush'd to view;
To battle they advanc'd with wonted speed,
(A firm support in time of dang'rous need:)
Their broad vibrating swords like meteors blaz'd!
The bravest, fiercest Frenchmen, much amaz'd,
Retrod the ground to shun the dreadful sight,
And with averted looks commenc'd a flight!
To multiply their woes, a second ball,
Struck the commanding enterprizing Gaul;
D'Estaing look'd round, in mind and body pain'd,
And mark'd how ill his troops their ground maintain'd!
At length he saw them totally give way,
And scatter widely round in disarray!
Like tim'rous flocks of sheep, lost in affright,
When worry'd by the wolves in gloomy night!
Despairing of success, he fac'd about,
And join'd indignantly the gen'ral rout;
Some closer press'd, into th' adjacent swamp
Precipitately plung'd, in hasty flight,
And in oblivion sunk to shades of night.
Th' artill'ry roar'd a loud departing knell;
But privately decamp'd, and sail'd from shore;
That fatal shore, and well defended place,
For dreadful slaughter fam'd, and foul disgrace
To Gallia's flag, by Britons trodden down
In Gallic blood, before Savannah's town.
In March 1778, Col. Mawhood made a descent in Jersey, near Salem; and returned with a large supply of forage. On the 4th of May, Lieutenant-col. Abercromby, with 700, attacked 900 provincials; killed, wounded, and took 150: only 9 British wounded. About the same time, a small party of the British infantry, dragoons, and queen's rangers, with Howerden's Pennsylvania and Chester's dragoons, fell in with Lancy's brigade of 500; killed about 100, took 60, with 10 waggons loaded with baggage, &c. and burnt 3 others, with the huts, and what baggage could not be brought off, with the loss of 7 men wounded, and 2 horses killed. On 17th of May, Major Maitland, with 2d battalion of light infantry, and 2 field-pieces, attended by a naval force, under the command of Capt. Henry, proceeded from Philadelphia up the Delaware; and at Borden Town, Biles Island Creek, &c. they burnt 1 frigate for 32 guns, 1 for 28 guns, 9 large ships, 2 of them loaded with tobacco, rum, military stores, &c. 3 privateer sloops, for 16 guns each, 3 ditto, for 10 guns each, and 23 brigs, with a number of sloops and schooners; Col. Borden's house and furniture; 4 stores, containing provisions of all species, a very large quantity of tobacco, sugar, military stores, &c. spoiled 5 cannon, and brought off 1 field-piece, with but little loss of men on either side. As the Provincials in the spring were making great preparations of boats, &c. which plainly indicated a design to make a descent on Rhode Island; Gen. Pigot, with Capt. Griffith, the naval commander, resolved in season to attempt to frustrate their design; and on the 25th of May 1778, Col. Campbell, Lieutenant col. Hillman, with Captains Noltenius, Coore, Trench, Seir, &c. with 500 men, proceeded up Warren's River, covered by the Flora, Capt. Brisbane; the flat boats were under the direction of Captains Clayton, and Reeves, Lieutenants Knowles, Stanhope, D'Auvergne, Christie; and Lieut. Kempshorn, who, with some boats, took the Spitfire galley that morning. And at Papasquash Point, at Warren, Hickamuct River, Bristol, Fogland Ferry, &c. they burnt and destroyed, 125 boats, some of them 50 feet long; 1 galley of 6 twelve-pounders, 2 sloops, 1 loaded with stores, a new privateer-sloop, mounting 16 four-pounders, a saw-mill, with a large quantity of planks, pitch, tar, &c. a store, and a house with ammunition, rum, rice, sugar, warlike stores, &c. a town house, 2 churches, and several dwelling-houses; a bridge; and at Fogland Ferry, a guard-house: they likewise destroyed a battery; and at different places, 2 twenty-four-pounders, 5 eighteen-pounders, 2 nine pounders, all on travelling carriages complete; with 4 eighteen-pounders, 6 twelve-pounders, 3 three-pounders, and 2 field pieces; and took prisoners, 1 colonel, 3 field-officers, 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, 58 privates; and returned to Newport, with a lieutenant, and 12 privates wounded, and 2 drummers missing.
This account of the detachments sent forward, corresponds exactly with Gen. Washington's report; who uses the words “select corps of 600 men, 1500 chosen troops, select men. Major-general Lee detached with 2 brigades; and mentions likewise 7 or 800 Jersey militia, under Gen. Dickenson, who, with Col. Morgan's corps, hovered on the British flanks, joined by Gen. Maxwell's detachment,” &c.
This division consisted of the 17th light dragoons, 2d battalion light infantry, Hessian yagers, 1st and 2d brigades, British; Stern's and Loo's brigades of Hessians; Pennsylvania and Maryland loyalists; and West Jersey volunteers.
Gen. Clinton's division consisted of the 16th, light dragoons; 1st and 2d battalions of British grenadiers; 1st battalion light infantry, guards; Hessian grenadiers; 3d, 4th, and 5th brigades, British.
From the attack made on the baggage, to the reinforcement ordered from the vanguard, corresponds with Gen. Clinton's account of the action.
Vide Major-general Lee's two letters to Mr. Burden, bookseller, Winchester; in which he says, “To call the affair a complete victory would be a dishonourable gasconade: it was indeed a very handsome check, and did the Americans honour;” and he likewise calls it “a retrograde manœuvre of near 4 miles,” &c.
This part of the action corresponds with Gen. Clinton's account; who writes, 45 British, and 11 German, died with fatigue, and heat; and Gen. Washington gives an account, that several of his men died with heat, and fatigue.
Gen. Sir H. Clinton, in his letter, in the London Gazette Extraordinary, 24th of Aug. 1778, writes, “That, pursuant to his Majesty's instructions, he evacuated Philadelphia on the 18th of June 1778, at 3 o'clock in the morning,” &c. After a most laborious march, amidst excessive heat, and dust, repairing bridges, and frequent skirmishes with harrassing parties, this battle was fought near Monmouth, Freehold, and places adjacent, when the heat was intense, and almost insufferable; in which the British and Germans lost; total killed, 1 lieutenant-col. 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 serjeants, 56 rank and file; 3 serjeants, 56 rank and file, died with fatigue. Wounded, 1 col. 1 lieutenant-col. 1 major, 7 captains, 5 lieutenants, 7 serjeants, 148 rank and file; 3 serjeants, 61 rank and file missing. The German loss was, 1 killed, 11 died with fatigue, and 11 missing. Gen. Washington's account of the American army, killed, Lt. Col. Bonner, of Pennsylvania; Maj. Dickenson, of Virginia; 3 captains, 4 lieutenants, 1 serjeant, 61 rank and file. Wounded, 2 colonels, 9 captains, 6 lieutenants, 6 ensigns, 1 adjutant, 3 serjeants, 1 drummer, 138 rank and file; 5 serjeants, 126 rank and file, missing, many of whom dropped through fatigue, and some have since come in; 6 horses killed, and 2 wounded: and he writes, they buried 4 officers, and 245 privates, British: left dead on the field; and that there were several new graves near the field of battle; and that Gen. Lee was in arrest, &c.
The French squadron, commanded by Count D'Estaing; 12 of the line, and 3 frigates, anchored on the 11th of July 1778, at Sandy Hook: but instead of attacking New York, they weighed, and sailed, and on the 29th appeared off Rhode Island, where the Generals Sir Rob. Pigot, Prescot, Losberg, and Smith, the Colonels Campbell, and Marsh, and other officers of the troops, with the artillery corps, in conjunction with the Captains Brisbane, Christian, Dalrymple, Smyth, Hudson, Symons, Harwood, Stanhope, Forrest, &c. of the navy, exerted themselves to put the town of Newport, and garrison, in the best posture of defence, determined to make an obstinate resistance.
The French fleet consisted of 1 ship of 90 guns, 1 of 84, 5 of 74, 5 of 64, and 4 frigates of 36 guns. The British fleet, 1 of 74 guns, 7 of 64, 4 of 50, 2 of 44, and 4 frigates of 32 guns, with 3 fireships. After the storm, on the 13th of Aug 1778, at night; the Renown, a 50 gun ship, Cap. Dayson, fell in with, and engaged Count D'Estaing, in the Languedoc, dismasted a 90 gun ship; as did Commodore Hotham, in the Preston, a 50 gun ship, with the Tonant, an 80 gun ship; but were obliged to decline the renewal of the fight next morning, as 6 French ships of the line appeared, and bore down towards them; and on the 16th Capt. Rayner, in the Isis, a 50 gun ship, engaged Le Zele, a French undamaged 74 gun ship, and behaved with great gallantry, as to oblige her to sheer off, and decline the action.
Major-gen. Sir Robert Pigot gave the following account: “On the 11th of Aug. 1778, the continental forces were discovered breaking ground on Honyman's Hill; and they began to construct several batteries, and lines of approach: on the 19th, they drove the front of the British encampment back, and continued to construct batteries for cannon, and mortars, nearer down the hill, and were indefatigable in making advances to Newport, and the garrison, till the 25th; having in that time, made 3 regular approaches, and seemed to meditate a general storm; but as the French disabled fleet had totally disappeared, on the 26th they discontinued their works, and on the 28th, at night, the enemy retreated from their lines, and works, near Newport; and after several smart skirmishes (and perhaps equal slaughter on both sides); on the 30th of Aug. at night, they retreated from Ball's Hill, &c. over Bristol, and Howland Ferry, and relinquished every hold on the island.” Gen. Sullivan's account is much to the same purport, and authenticates several passages in the retreat. Gen. Clinton's account of the number in each army, is as follows; British 3,500; Continental, 18,000. Gen. Pigot, and Capt. Brisbane's account of the loss of the British, during the siege, harrassing, &c. Total killed, 1 captain, 1 volunteer, 4 serjeants, 33 rank and file. Wounded, 2 captains, 5 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, 13 serjeants, 184 rank and file: 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 10 privates missing. The Juno, Lark, Orpheus, and Cerberus frigates, of 32 guns each; the King's Fisher, of 16 guns, and 2 gallies, were burnt; and the Flora of 32 guns, and the Falcon of 18 guns, were sunk; and 10 sail of transports were sunk, when the French fleet made their approaches to the harbour, to keep them at a distance from the batteries. Gen. Clinton embarked, and sailed from New York with 4000 men, to assist Gen. Pigot; but finding the enemy had evacuated Rhode Island, he resolved to employ his forces in a descent on the enemy's coast; accordingly, Major-gen. Grey, with the troops, and Capt. Robert Fanshaw, in the Carysfort frigate, with other armed vessels, and transports, proceeded to Accushnet River, Bedford, Fair Haven, Martha's Vineyard, the Sound, Cran's Mill, Holmes's Hole, &c. They took, burnt, and destroyed, 8 sail of large vessels, from 2 to 300 tons; a large privateer ship on the stocks; 6 armed vessels, from 10 to 16 guns; brigs, sloops, and schooners, amounting in all to 80; 23 whale boats, and several others; 2 large rope walks; a battery of 11 heavy cannon; blew up the magazine, and platform, and burnt the barracks for 200 men; destroyed a salt-work, and took a considerable quantity of salt, and plank, and staves: they burnt 26 storehouses (and others) filled with great quantities of rum, sugar, molasses, coffee, tobacco, cotton, tea, medicines, gun-powder, sail-cloth, cordage, &c. and brought off from Martha's Vineyard, 300 oxen, and 10,000 sheep, 1000 l. sterling paper tax; 776 firelocks, and several other weapons; a quantity of powder, ball, flints, &c. &c. &c. The British lost, 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 16 missing. The Provincials, 4 killed, and 16 taken, to exchange for the 16 missing.
Lord Cornwallis lying with his detachment near Newbridge, in Jersey, to open a road for supplies, and protect friends; he dispatched Major-general Grey, on the night of the 27th of Sept. 1778, with the 2d battalion of light infantry, &c. to surprize a regiment of dragoons, near Old Tapan; which he effected, and very few escaped being killed or taken; and he brought in some militia likewise. Capt. Collins of the Zebra, Capt. Christian, of the Vigilant, with other small armed vessels, with Capt. Pat. Ferguson of the 70th regiment, Capt. Cox, and Capt. Campbell of the 3d Jersey volunteers, &c. with about 250 men, proceeded on an expedition to Egg Harbour, in New Jersey; and from the 5th to the 10th of Oct. 1778, they performed a very difficult inland navigation of 20 miles, to Chesnut Neck, &c. They destroyed 2 batteries for 6 guns each, demolished the village, destroyed 10 capital vessels, 3 salt works, and razed several houses belonging to the militia officers, &c. and about the 14th of Oct. Capt. Christian, with the boats, and Captains Ferguson, Cox, &c. with 250 men, proceeded about midnight from Egg Harbour, and after rowing 10 miles, the troops landed, and surprized Polaski's legion of 3 troops of horse, 3 companies of foot, a detachment of artillery, and a field piece. They killed a lieutenant-colonel, and other officers, and about 50 privates, and took 5, and in the whole expedition had but 6 killed and wounded. N. B. They generously neglected the opportunity of destroying part of the baggage and equipage of the legion, as the houses in which it lay, belonged to some inoffensive quakers. About the latter end of Feb. 1779, Lieutenant-col. Stirling landed on the Jersey shore, and burnt some barracks, and several stores, in which were about 130 barrels of flour, 30 puncheons of rum, soap, candles, &c. took 1 officer, and 32 privates, with very little loss killed and wounded. Capt. Willet made a descent on the Connecticut coast, and destroyed Kebble's Mills, near Campo; where a great quantity of flour, and grain, with provisions, were collected for Mons. D'Estaing. In the beginning of March, Major-gen. Tryon marched from Kingsbridge to Horseneck, with a large detachment, routed 300 Provincials, took 3 iron field-pieces, six-pounders, 25 prisoners, 40 head of cattle, and destroyed a salt-work. From the 8th of May, to the 16th, 1779. Commodore Sir Geo. Collier, with a small squadron, and Major-gen. Matthew, with a detachment of troops, destroyed at Norfolk, Suffolk, and several places in the Chesapeak Bay, Virginia; 2 French ships, with 1000 hogsheads of tobacco, 3000 barrels of pork; burned many vessels, with several stores, and took possession of the town of Portsmouth, with a large quantity of masts, yards, timber, plank, iron, pitch, tar, nails, blocks, rigging, sail cloth, and other naval and military stores; a 14 gun privateer, 117 barrels of pork, 113 barrels of flour, 59 hogsheads of molasses, 43 puncheons of rum, &c &c. &c. with little loss of men on either side. In the beginning of July 1779, Major-gen. Tryon made a descent at Wect Haven in Connecticut, burnt the public stores, brought off a privateer, and 6 field pieces: he proceeded from thence to Fairfield, and Norwalk, and being fired at from the houses, burnt both villages. Gen. Tryon regrets the unintended destruction of two places of public worship. He returned from this expedition, with the loss of 20 royalists killed, 96 wounded, and 32 missing: the loss of the Provincials in men uncertain. About the same time, Lieutenant-col. Tarleton attempted to surprize Sheldon's regiment of cavalry, at Pound Bridge; where, although they were timely noticed of his approach, he killed, wounded, and took about 30, their standard, and a great quantity of their helmets, arms, and accoutrements; and was forced to burn some houses, to quiet a party of militia that molested him: he had only one man and horse killed, and one man wounded. About the same time, Paulus Hook was surprized, by mistaking the Provincials for their own foraging party: but Major Sutherland, the commandant, with about 40 hussars, threw himself into a redoubt, and behaved so gallantly, that the enemy evacuated the garrison, without damaging the cannon, or firing the barracks, and carried off 40 invalids; but being pursued, one of their officers, and several privates were taken. Commodore Sir George Collier, with his squadron, and Gen. Sir Hen. Clinton, with 2,600 land-forces, proceeded to Newhaven, took, and destroyed the fort, 5 large vessels, 2 privateer brigs, on the flocks, 20 whale boats, 2 saw mills, a large salt work, and warehouses of stores, merchandize, &c.
On the 23d of Dec. 1778, Lieutenant-col. Campbell, with the 71st regiment, 2 battalions of Hessians, 4 ditto of loyal provincials, and a detachment of the royal artillery; conducted by a small squadron of ships of war, under the command of Commodore Parker, in the Phœnix, arrived off Tybee; and on the 29th, at break of day, a landing was effected on the River Dam, and the advanced parties of the enemy were repulsed. Col. Campbell writes to the following purport: “The continental forces, under the command of Major-gen. Rob. Howe, were drawn up about half a mile east of the town, across the road, with several pieces of cannon in their front; consisting of Thompson's, and Eugee's regiments, of Carolina troops, part of the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th battalions of Col. Elbert's Georgia brigade; with riflemen, in the adjacent plantations; the number of the militia uncertain. Their flanks were defended by wooded swamps, houses, and plantations; their rear was covered by an old line of intrenchment, with cannon properly disposed: in the center of their line, about 200 paces in front, at a critical spot, between two swamps, a trench was cut across the road, and about 100 yards in front of this trench, a marshy rivulet ran, almost parallel the whole extent of their front, and the bridge burnt down,” &c. Col. Campbell proceeds after mentioning the rout: “One stand of colours, 48 cannon, 23 mortars, 94 barrels of powder, the fort, with all its stores, the capital of Georgia, the shipping in the harbour, with a large quantity of provisions, fell into our possession. The British lost 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 7 privates, killed; and 1 serjeant, and 18 privates, wounded. Eighty-three of the enemy were found dead, 11 wounded, and about 30 lost in the swamp. Taken prisoners, 1 colonel, 3 majors, 11 captains, 15 lieutenants, 8 surgeons, commissaries, &c. 33 serjeants, 7 drummers, 5 fifes, 370 rank and file
Major-gen. Prevost, being ordered by Gen. Sir Hen. Clinton, to proceed from St. Augustine's to Savannah, in the middle of the winter, took the Fort of Sunbury in his way, with 21 pieces of cannon, and 212 prisoners; 1 captain and 2 privates killed, 6 wounded. The British, 1 private killed, and 3 wounded.
Vide Major-gen. Prevost's letter, in the London Gazette, 20th of April 1779; viz. that the movements of the enemy seemed to indicate an intention of hampering the British troops in their quarters, &c. He then proceeds: “Accordingly Major M'Pherson, with 1st battalion, 71st regiment (of Highlanders) and some irregulars, with 2 field-pieces, was directed by Lieutenant-col. Prevost, to advance towards the bridge, to mask the movements he himself had made with the 2d battalion, 71st regiment, a corps of light infantry, commanded by Sir James Baird, and 3 companies of grenadiers, of the Florida brigade, with which he took a long circuit of 50 miles to cross the creek above them, and endeavour to gain their rear. The Provincials were surprized, totally defeated, and dispersed, with the loss of 7 pieces of cannon, several stands of colours, almost all their arms, all their ammunition, and baggage.” Gen. Prevost likewise writes, “The 2d in command, Brigadier-gen. Elbert, with 26 officers besides were taken, and near 200 men; about 150 were killed in the field of battle, and adjoining woods and swamps; but their chief loss consists in the number of officers and men drowned in attempting to save themselves from the slaughter, and plunging into a deep and rapid river. The loss on our side, was only five privates killed, and one officer, and 10 privates wounded. On our side 3 grenadier companies of the 61st regiment, Sir James Baird's light infantry, Capt. Tawes's troop of light dragoons, with about 150 Provincials, rangers, and militia, making in all about 900, composed the corps that attacked about 2,500 of the enemy, according to their commissary's account, taken prisoner.”
Major-gen. Prevost mentioned several reasons for penetrating into South Carolina, and advancing against Charlestown, and gives an account of this affair, to the following purport: “Brigadier-gen. Moultrie's corps of observation, about 2000, chiefly militia, were struck with a panic, when they saw the British troops emerging from the swamps; made a weak resistance, and in the greatest hurry and confusion fled towards Charlestown, which was summoned; but as they hourly expected General Lincoln with a large reinforcement, had a numerous artillery mounted on their ramparts, their naval force covering and flanking their lines; the British army no more than 2000 men fit for duty, in want of battering artillery, and having no naval force to cooperate with them; the summons proved ineffectual.” The British army retired, and took post on the main, at Stono Ferry, and on the Island of St. John; and Gen. Prevost writes, on the 20th of June, “After every preparation had been made to abandon those posts, the enemy's whole force attacked the post at Stono Ferry, with 8 pieces of cannon, and 5000 men: their attack was at first spirited; but the good countenance of the troops, and the fire of the armed flat, that covered the left flank of our post, just as the troops were ferrying over from St. John's Island, to reinforce it, obliged the enemy to retreat; Lieutenant-col. Maitland, who commanded there, had with him the 1st battalion, 71st Highlanders, then much reduced; a weak battalion of Hessians, and the refugees of North and South Carolina; the whole about 800 men: they behaved with coolness and bravery. The enemy lost a colonel of artillery, much esteemed among them, and about 28 officers of different ranks; and had between 3 and 400 killed and wounded. The British loss was 1 major, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 4 serjeants, 18 rank and file killed; and 1 major, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 7 serjeants, 1 drummer, 77 rank and file wounded; 1 missing.”
Brigadier-gen. Wayne, in his letter to Gen. Washington, dated July 17th 1779, after mentioning the difficulties in their march of 14 miles, gives the following account of the action at Stoney Point, on the 16th of July, about 1 o'clock in the morning: “Col. Febiger's, and Meigs's regiments, with Major Hull's detachment, formed the right column: Col. Butler's regiment, and Major Mulfree's 2 companies, the left: the van of the right, under Lieutenant-col. Fleury, preceded by 20 picked men, to remove the abbatis, advanced with unloaded muskets, and fixed bayonets, as did the van of the left, under the command of Major Steward,” &c. He then proceeds: “About 20 minutes after 12 the assault began, previous to which I placed myself at the head of Febiger's regiment, or 8 columns, and gave the troops the most pointed orders not to fire upon any account; which order was faithfully obeyed. Neither the deep morass, the formidable and double rows of abbatis, or the strong works in front and flank, could damp the ardor of the troops, who, in the face of a most tremendous and incessant fire of musketry, and from cannon loaded with grape-shot, forced their way at the point of the bayonet, through every obstacle; both columns meeting in the center of the enemy's works, nearly at the same instant.” Total of the provincial forces killed; 2 serjeants, 13 privates: wounded, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 10 serjeants, 3 corporals, and 44 privates. Lieutenant-col. Henry Johnson, who commanded at Stoney Point, gives the following account of the British loss, in the action of the 16th of July 1779. Total, 1 captain, 3 serjeants, 1 drummer, 15 rank and file killed; and 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 1 serjeant, 67 rank and file wounded; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 54 rank and file missing; 1 colonel, 4 captains, 12 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 1 adjutant, 1 surgeon, 1 conductor, 23 serjeants, 16 drummers, 408 rank and file, prisoners. The Colonists immediately commenced a cannonade against Lieutenant-col. Webster, at Verplanks, but without the desired effect; and Gen. Clinton, on the first intelligence of this affair, pushed the army forward to relieve Verplanks, and recover Stoney Point, and bring on a general action; but General Washington, with his wonted caution, avoided coming to action; and on the appearance of Brigadier-gen. Stirling, with his division, the provincials abandoned the fort at Stoney Point with precipitation.
Col. Maclean, who was sent to establish a post on the River Penobscot, landed on the 16th of June 1779, with 450 rank and file of the 74th regiment, and 200 of the 82d.
On the 25th and 26th of July, the continental fleet commanded by Commodore D'Sallonstall, attacked the Albany, North, and Nautillus, to force a passage; but were repulsed; and on the 25th, 26th, and 27th, they made several attempts to land, but were constantly repulsed: however, on the morning of the 28th, under cover of a very heavy cannonade, they effected their purpose, which obliged Capt. Maclean to call in all his outposts, and to think of only strengthening and defending his works: on the 30th the enemy, commanded by Gen. Lovell, opened a battery against the fort, at about 750 yards distance, and from that day, to the 12th of Aug. the cannonading continued with great spirit on both sides, with frequent skirmishes without the fort.
On the 14th of August 1779, in the morning, Commodore Sir George Collier, in the Raisonable, with the Greyhound, Blonde, Virginia, Camilla, and Galatea frigates, came in sight of the continental fleet, drawn up in a crescent, across the river; but, as they advanced, a sudden and unexpected flight took place. The king's ships followed them up the river, took the Hampden of 20 guns, and the Hunter of 18 guns; blew up, burnt, and destroyed the Warren, a fine new frigate of 32 guns, 18 and 12 pounders; 7 other ships of war, 5 brigs, 1 sloop, and 1 schooner, mounting 248 guns, with 24 transports, and gained some cannon of 18 and 12 pounders. The loss of the British troops during the fiege, 23 killed, 33 wounded, and 11 missing, 4 seamen killed, 9 wounded, and 2 missing: the loss of men on the Provincial side uncertain, except about 60 which fell in a dispute among themselves, after they were driven on shore.
According to Count D'Estaing's letter, dated 16th Sept. 1779, to Gen. Prevost, this junction was effected on the 16th or 17th of Sept. at farthest; and, according to the best accounts we can get, we may conclude the fort and town of Savannah was invested by about 16000 Continental and French forces, horse and foot; 22 sail of the line, 9 frigates, several of the Congress ships of war, and Continental armed vessels; and more troops expected from several parts; and from every circumstantial account it appears, that the troops, and seamen, with Gen. Prevost, did not exceed 3000 effective men.
Major-gen. Prevost, in his account of the siege, wrote as follows: “The 24th of Sept. in the morning, the enemy were discovered to have pushed a sap to within 300 yards of our abbatis, to the left of the center: at 9 o'clock, 3 companies of light infantry (97 rank and file) were sent out under Major Graham of the 16th, &c. The conduct of the major, and his little corps, was spirited, and proper, almost above praise! Darting out with amazing rapidity, he was in an instant in the enemy's nearest work, which he kept possession of till 2 solid columns at length were very near gaining his flanks, and till the whole French damp was in motion; he then ordered a retreat, which being as rapid as the advance, left the heads of the enemy's columns in an instant exposed to the fire of our artillery, which galled them severely, and soon obliged them to retire behind their works. Our loss is 1 subaltern, 2 serjeants, 3 rank and file killed; and 15 rank and file wounded: that of the enemy, as we have been since well informed, 14 officers, and 145 rank and file killed and wounded (by much the greater part killed) of their best troops.”
Gen. Prevost writes; “The 27th of Sept. at night, Major M'Arthur of the 71st, with a party of the picquet, advanced, and fired into the enemy's works, and amusing them for some little time, drew off, with 3 wounded. He set the French and Americans a firing upon each other; their loss acknowledged 50.”
Gen. Prevost, after mentioning his forming a camp, the battery from the French ships, and the advances of the enemy on every quarter, with the traverses made, platforms laid, redoubts raised, the boom got across the channel, and ditches deepened, and every other preparation to obstruct the enemy, and make a vigorous defence, proceeds thus: “Oct. the 3d, at midnight, the enemy began to bombard from 9 mortars, of 8 and 10 inches, continued about 2 hours; the 4th, at day-light, they open with 9 mortars, 37 pieces of cannon, from the land side, and 16 from the water. Continue without intermission till 8 o'clock; on the 5th, the enemy prosecute their works on their left, and we repair, strengthen, and add. On the 6th, they throw carcasses into the town, and burn one wooden house; at 11 o'clock, we sent to Count D'Estaing for permission to send the women and children out of town, on board of ships, and down the river, under the protection of a French ship of war, until the business should be decided. After 3 hours, and a great deal of intermediate cannon, and shells, received an insulting answer from Messieurs Lincoln, and D'Estaing, in conjunction.” Vide letters in the Gazette.
Sir James Wright, Bart. Governor of Georgia, wrote that the flower of both armies, amounting to about 4000, were in this body, which made the attack: Gen. Prevost wrote to the same purport; adding that they were led by D'Estaing in person, with all the principal officers of either army, and advanced in three columns, &c.
Gen. Prevost writes, “The attack was very spirited, and for some time very obstinately persevered in, particularly on the Ebenezer Road redoubt. Two stands of colours were actually planted, and several of the assailants killed upon the parapet; but they met with so determined a resistance, and the fire of three seamen batteries, and the field-pieces, taking them in almost every direction, was so severe, that they were thrown into some disorder, at least at a stand; at this most critical moment, Major Glasier of the 60th regiment, with the 60th grenadiers, and the marines, advancing rapidly from the lines, charged (It may be said) with a degree of fury! in an instant, the ditches of the redoubt, and a battery to its right in rear, were cleared, the grenadiers charging briskly into them, and the enemy drove in confusion over the abbatis, and into the swamp. On this occasion, Capt. Wickham of the 2d, 60th grenadiers, was greatly distinguished. A considerable body or column, more to the left, was repulsed in every attempt to deploy out of the hollow, by the brisk and well-directed fire of a militia redoubt, and Hamilton's small corps of North Carolinians, on its right, moved there with a field-piece, to take them obliquely; a sailor battery, still nearer to the right, took them in flank. As the enemy retreated, we contented ourselves plying them with our cannon, advancing some field-pieces to the abbatis as long as they were in fight, or judged within reach. Lieutenant-col. D'Porbeck, of Weissenbach's, field-officer of the day, of the right wing, and being in the redoubt where the attack began, had an opportunity, which he well improved, to signalize himself, in a most gallant manner. The troops who defended it were part of the South Carolina loyalists, light dragoons dismounted, and the battalion men of the 5th, 60th, in all about 100; commanded by special order, by Capt. Taws, of the 71st, a good and gallant officer, and who nobly fell with his sword in the body of the third he killed with his own hand.”
Major-gen. Prevost, in his account of the action, which was on the 9th of Oct. 1779, writes thus: “Our loss on this occasion, 1 captain, and 15 rank and file, killed: 1 captain, 3 subalterns, and 35 rank and file, wounded: that of the enemy we do not exaggerate, when we set it, in killed and wounded, at 1000 to 1200. The French acknowledged 44 officers, and about 700 men: (to this we may add 2 officers taken, 197 officers and privates killed and wounded during the fiege.) Of the provincials, we may say less; but the unvariable report of deserters, and prisoners (gentlemen) since exchanged, make their loss above 4000; (thus it appears in the copy from the Gazette;) among the wounded were Count D'Estaing, (in two places) Mr. De Fontange, major-general; Count Polasky, since dead; and several others of distinction. We buried 231, and delivered 116 wounded prisoners, greater part mortally. Many were self-burried in the mud of the swamps, and no doubt many were carried of. On the 18th of Oct. the fog clearing off, about 9 o'clock, we were not much surprized to find the enemy had moved off. Gen. Prevost mentions the very active and zealous services of Capt. Henry of the Fowey, Capt. Brown of the Rose, and their officers, and seamen; particularly, Lieutenants Lock, and Crawford, in every part where they could give their assistance; and verbatim, as follows: “I would also wish to mention Capt. Moncrief, commanding engineer; but sincerely sensible that all I can express, will fall greatly short of what that gentleman deserves, not only on this, but on all other occasions, I shall only in the most earnest manner, request your Lordship taking him into your protection, and patronage, to recommend him to his Majesty, as an officer of long service, and most singular merit; assuring you, my Lord, from my own positive knowledge, that there is not one officer, or soldier, in this little army, capable of reflecting, or judging, who will not regard as personal to himself, any mark of royal favour graciously conferred by your Lordship, on Capt. Moncrief. We have been greatly obliged to Major Fraser, of the 71st, acting quarter-master-general, for his zealous and indefatigable industry, in landing, and mounting upon the batteries the cannon, stores, &c. and constantly supplying all wants. The extreme vigilance, and attendance, of Capt, Prevost, acting adjutant-general, deserves to be known. Indeed the whole engineers, and every other public department, were activity itself.” Capt. Shaw, my aid de camp, who will have the honour to deliver this, has been present on every active service in this country. A return of the killed, wounded, and missing, in the different corps, during the siege; 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 4 serjeants, 32 rank and file, killed: and 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 serjeants, 1 drummer, 56 rank and file, wounded: 2 drummers, 2 rank and file, missing; 5 serjeants, 2 drummers, 41 rank and file, deserted.
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