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UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON SAVANNAH.

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strengthening his defences, the British commandant finally announced his determination to hold the city. A heavy cannonade was opened by the besiegers. The town suffered severely. The inhabitants were driven to their cellars, and ventured in the streets only at the peril of their lives. Prevost could not have held out more than ten days; but the restless D'Estaing was in a hurry to leave, and gave the Americans their choice, either to raise the siege or carry the place by storm. Though it was risking a victory already certain, Lincoln would not allow his allies to depart, but declared himself ready for the attack.

On the 9th of October, the French and Americans advanced against the British works in three divisions. They were received with a heavy fire, which mowed down whole platoons, and wounded the French leader. Still they pressed on, and the flags of France and South Carolina were soon waving from the parapet. In a moment the men who placed them there fell by a discharge of musketry. Sergeant Jasper, the hero of Fort Moultrie, beheld the flag of his state in the act of falling; springing forward, he fixed it securely on the parapet, and fell, mortally wounded, in the act. Just then a charge of fresh troops from the garrison swept the assailants from the works.

In other parts the attack was equally unsuccessful. The gallant Pulaski, one of America's noblest defenders, rushing forward with the consecrated banner placed in his hand by Moravian nuns, was struck down by a cannon-ball, to rise no more. His followers were driven from the field; and the British obtained a complete victory. Lincoln wished to renew the attack; but D'Estaing refused to do so, and withdrew his fleet. The American general, mortified at the failure of an enterprise, which nothing but the caprice of his ally had defeated, led his diminished army to Charleston.

370. Among the names conspicuous in American history at this period is that of John Paul Jones. A native of Scot

siege of Savannah. What unwise course was proposed by D'Estaing? Describe tho assault. Give an account of Jasper's fall. Of Pulaski's. What was the result? What did D'Estaing proceed to do? Whither did Gen. Lincoln move? 870. What is said

land, he early embarked in the naval service of the United States, and was the first to unfurl the banner of the Republic on the Delaware. The capture of 16 prizes in little more than six weeks proved his activity and prowess. In 1778, he enlarged his sphere of operations, and kept the coast of Scotland and England in constant alarm. Boldly entering the harbor of Whitehaven, he took two forts, and fired the shipping they protected. Hurrying from point to point, wherever a prize was to be taken, or a daring deed to be achieved, he seemed everywhere present and always invincible. In September, 1779, in the Bon Homme Richard [bo-nom' re-shar'] (good man Richard), of 40 guns, accompanied by the Alliance and several smaller vessels, Jones encountered, off the coast of Scotland, a British merchant fleet returning from the Baltic under convoy of two frigates. The commander of the Serapis, a 44-gun frigate, bore down on the Americans, and one of the most terrible actions recorded in naval history followed. Jones, that the enemy might have no advantage from the superior size of their guns, brought his vessel so close to the Serapis that their sides. touched. Broadside after broadside was poured in by both parties. The Serapis was soon in flames, and the Bon Homme Richard, little more than a shapeless hull, had most of her guns silenced. The British attempted to board the latter, but were repulsed. The Alliance now came up, and, after first giving her consort a broadside by mistake, turned her guns on the enemy. The Serapis struck. Her flames were arrested, and Jones, finding that his own vessel was sinking, hastily transferred his crew to the captured frigate. Of 375 men, with whom he had begun the action, 300 were either killed or wounded. Meanwhile the consort of the Serapis had also surrendered, and the American victory was thus complete. With some difficulty, Jones brought his shattered prizes to the coast of Holland.

of John Paul Jones? At the commencement of the war, how did he prove his prowcss? In 1778, what did he do? Relate his exploit at Whitehaven. What was his vescel called? On the 23d of September, what did he encounter? Give an account of tho engagement with the Serapis. How did it result? How many men did Paul Jones lose? What did he do with his prizes?

1780]

THE BRITISH ATTACK CHARLESTON.

269

CHAPTER XVI.

CAMPAIGN OF 1780.-FALL OF CHARLESTON.-PARTISAN WARFARE IN THE SOUTH.-BATTLE OF CAMDEN.

371. THE winter of 1779-80 was passed by one division of the northern army of the United States at West Point, under Gen. Heath, by the other at Morristown, N. J., under Washington. Lincoln commanded at the South; and, as all hope of recovering Georgia had vanished with the repulse at Savannah, he confined himself to efforts in behalf of South Carolina, particularly Charleston, now threatened by the British. On the 10th of February, 1780, a fleet of the ene

ous points. Gen. Clinton now demanded the surrender of the city, but Lincoln, who had been reinforced, resolved to

871. Where did the northern army of the United States spend the winter of 1779-80 ? To what did Gen. Lincoln confine his attention? Give an account of the investment of Charleston. [See Map.-What large island southeast of Charleston? At the mouth of what creek did the British galleys lie? Near what river was the British hospital?]

hold out as long as possible. A destructive fire was at once commenced by the enemy.

General Hu'-ger had been stationed near the head of Ashley River with a body of cavalry. On the 14th of April his detachment was surprised and dispersed by Tarleton. Four days after, Cornwallis arrived from New York with 3,000 additional men. An incessant cannonade was maintained, and the condition of the inhabitants was deplorable in the extreme. Cannon balls were continually flying through the air, shells exploding, buildings falling, and flames crackling. It was impossible to hold out longer. On the 12th of May, articles of capitulation were signed. Four frigates, 400 pieces of artillery, and 5,000 Americans, of whom the garrison constituted about one-half, thus fell into the hands of the enemy.

372. The British followed up their success at Charleston with active measures for completing the subjugation of South Carolina. Garrisons were stationed at different points, and 2,000 men were dispatched towards North Carolina to overawe the whigs in that direction. Tarleton, with 700 horsemen, overtook a party of retreating Americans under Col. Bu'-ford at Waxhaws, and put them to the sword while asking quarter. For a time the patriots of Carolina seemed paralyzed. Many consented to recognize the king's authority, on condition that they would not be required to serve in the war; and Clinton, believing that South Carolina was 66 again entirely English", left Cornwallis in command of the southern army, and returned to New York.

373. Soon after his departure, the overbearing conduct of the British, and their violation of the terms of the surrender, opened the eyes of the people, and awakened a determined spirit of resistance. Some of the principal citizens of Charleston were seized and imprisoned. More than a thousand per

What befell Huger's detachment of horse? By whom was Clinton reinforced? Describe the situation of the besieged city. What took place on the 12th of May? What did the British gain by the surrender? 872. How did the British follow up their success? Give an account of Buford's defeat. What did Clinton think with respect to South Carolina? Whom did he leave in command of the southern army? 378. After Clinton's departure, what course was pursued by the British? What was the conse

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sons were deprived of their property and driven from their homes. Reports of these outrages were not long in spreading over the state, and no stronger argument against making terms with the enemy was needed. Sumter, Wynn, and others, organized parties, with the determination of keeping the field till their country was free. Living in the woods on the precarious food they afforded, ready for march or battle at a moment's notice, these brave hearts were the scourge of the British and tories,—appearing when least expected, cutting off straggling parties, swooping down on the rear of their armies, always fearless and generally victorious. Sometimes they met the enemy with but three rounds of ammunition to each man; and often part of a company took the field unprovided with arms, waiting to obtain those of their companions who should fall.

374. In June, 1780, Cornwallis dispatched a party of cavalry and tories to crush some of these troublesome rebels. On the way, they stopped at the house of a Mrs. Bratton, and asked where her husband was. "In Sumter's army," was the reply. Incensed at this avowal, the commander was prevented from killing her only by the solicitation of a brother officer. During the night, the patriots in the neighborhood learned of the arrival of the enemy. A small force assembled, and the British were captured. Among the prisoners was an officer, on whom, for previous offences, sentence of death was pronounced. As a last favor, he begged to be led into the presence of Mrs. Bratton. Recognizing him as her preserver, she interceded in his behalf, and his life was granted to her prayers.

375. Among the most successful partisan leaders was Francis Marion, a descendant of the Huguenots of South Carolina, who had served in early life against the Cherokees, and subsequently at Fort Sullivan and Charleston. While hastening to join the American regiments, now on their march to the South, he organized a mounted band of about twenty men

quence? Who organized parties to oppose the British? Describe the partisan warfare of this period. 374. Relate an incident that happened in June, 1780. 875. What partisan leader was particularly distinguished? Where had he seen service? Describe