Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

place of safety, was refused. The beseiged were in evident distress, and could not prolong the defence of the place for many days; when the impatience of the French officers precipitated a change of operations, which saved the garrison. This was an attempt to carry the place by storm. The French were landed 3,500 strong. D'Estaing led these troops to the assault, and nearly one thousand more marched under command of Lincoln. In the midst of a heavy fire, each planted his standard on the British redoubts. But the cannonade from the batteries was redoubled. The utmost and most obstinate courage of the assailants could not gain another yard's advance, and after enduring the uninterrupted fire of the forts for an hour, the besiegers retreated in disorder. In that attack Count D'Estaing was wounded, and Count Pulaski, the last of the Poles, fell to rise no more. The French retired on board their vessels, and their sails, fluttering with shame, bore their disappointed chivalry from the harbour. The Continentals retreated up the Savannah, which they crossed far inland.

,1 The loss of the French and Americans at the storming of Savannah, was nearly 1,000 men.

[ocr errors]

CHAPTER XV.

America's Crisis The South-Third Siege of Charlestown-Surrender-Short Truce-Carolina again in arms Gates His Defeat-Virtues of a Defeated Nation The army-Arnold's Treason-Major Andre.

As this limited history is approaching to its appointed close, there is no space left for the consideration of the interesting domestic embarrassments of the states. The impolicy of a tax at first suggested the idea of a paper currency. The emission of these paper bills multiplied enormously with the progress of the war. Specie there was none. Foreign credit there was scarcely any. The security afforded by the paper bills became questionable, and their value was depreciated. Voluntary contributions from the respective states were demanded, and in general refused. An attempt was made to consolidate a revenue, and to draw in the over issue, redeeming it by a substitution no more solid than itself. During whole campaigns the commander-in-chief, totally destitute of resources, was obliged to compel requisitions of food and clothing from the inhabitants. But they bore even this the heaviest of burdens, thus proving how unfounded the apprehension that shrank, in the first instance, from the imposition of a tax.

The spring of 1780 opened in a widely-raging war, extending over all northern America and

half of Europe. France, Spain, Holland, Germany, were in arms. From the pole to the line war's blast swept over land and water. The strife of blood, which only five years before began in a chance affray between a single soldier and citizen, in a neglected street in Boston, now engaged the armies, navy, and resources of most of the great military powers of Europe. England faced the combination with undaunted resolution. True to her character, in this exigency she vindicated herself with a fidelity of purpose so unshrinking as to redeem her pride, her passion, and her vices. Her first military operation on the new continent was an expedition against the southern states. General Clinton in person led this expedition, and sailing from New York in December, he reached Georgia about the 1st of February. On the 11th they arrived within thirty miles of Charlestown. From thence they proceeded towards the town, taking and garrisoning every defensible post on the line. Nine thousand of the flower of England's army were now before the precarious defences of Charlestown, manned by about 3,000, under command of General Lincoln. Succour was daily expected, and though the general recommended a capitulation on the terms proposed by Clinton, the garrison refused, and determined to defend the place to the last. The British navy was nearly as far superior to that of the Americans as the British army. Post after post was taken, and their defenders made prisoners or slain. The fleet moved almost into the heart of the town without receiving any check from the American squadron. The fort on the island,

where Moultrie made so gallant a stand against Parker and Cornwallis, surrendered to Captain Hudson. All seemed prepared for an assault, which the Americans had no practicable means of resisting. A day's armistice was with difficulty obtained from Clinton, with a view of considering the terms he proposed. He allowed one hour beyond the time to expire, and then his fierce cannonade, from land and water, opened on the fated town. The citizens petitioned Lincoln to capitulate, and he wrote to General Clinton, offering to accept the terms formerly proposed. Clinton, unwilling to cause useless bloodshed, expressed himself satisfied, and the next day Major Leslie took quiet possession of Charles

town.

May 11.

Upwards of 400 pieces of artillery were surrendered, 2,500 men gave up their arms, and the number of officers was much greater in proportion. By the terms of capitulation the garrison were to march out of town and deposit their arms in front of the works; but the drums were not to beat, nor the colours to be encased. The continental troops and seamen were to keep their baggage, and remain prisoners-of-war till exchanged. The militia were to retire to their respective homes as prisoners on parole, and, while they adhered to their parole, were not to be molested in person or property by the British troops. The inhabitants, of all descriptions, were to be prisoners on parole, and hold their property on the same terms as the militia. The officers of the American army and navy were to retain their horses, dogs, swords, pistols, and baggage; and

General Lincoln to be allowed to send unopened despatches to Philadelphia.

These were humiliating conditions. But America felt the sad reverse much more deeply for its bearing on her struggle, than on account of its shame. The people of South Carolina lost faith in the common cause, and received, if not with thankfulness, at least with great attention, the proposals of mutual protection and dependence offered by the victorious generals. Nor was any opportunity omitted on the part of the British to conciliate to their interest the wavering provincials. The utmost stretch of royal clemency was promised to all who returned to their allegiance, and threats the most terrible were held out against all who, with arms or otherwise, attempted to prevent the obedience and submission of the colony.

Having taken these precautions, General Clinton returned to New York, and the command, civil and military, devolved upon Cornwallis. Taking advantage of the disposition everywhere manifesting itself, his lordship devoted all his attention to the improvement and consolidation of the civil government, which he was willing to base upon the broadest principles of provincial liberty. In the fulness of supposed success, he attempted to place English authority on the most solid foundation, by associating with it the military as well as legislative establishments of the colony. This test the American loyalty was not yet equal to. The inhabitants sought peace, to avoid the burthen as well as the hazards of war, nor could they, who gave up arms in the

« PředchozíPokračovat »