requisite men and munitions, the contemplated movement from which so much
was anticipated never took place; and when, on the 20th of September,
he went North to assume the command to which he had been appointed, he
ordered the troops in the neighborhood of Sunbury to follow him.
This project was renewed by General Robert Howe, who advanced as far as
Fort Tonyn. There, however, a council of war decided a further prosecution
of the enterprise unadvisable. The sick and convalescent,—of whom there
was a considerable number,—in gallies and such boats as could be procured
were, under the command of Colonel C. C. Pinckney, conducted by the inland
passage to Sunbury where, for a time, they were allowed to rest and
recruit. They were subsequently transferred to Charleston by the way of
Port Royal.[202] Colonel John McIntosh was left in command of Sunbury with
one hundred and twenty-seven men. The remnants of Elbert’s and White’s
regiments proceeded to Savannah.[203] So far, Sunbury had suffered no
molestation at the hands of the King’s forces.
Lord George Germain’s plan for the Southern campaign in 1778 was prepared
with “minuteness of detail.” The reduction of Savannah was resolved upon.
As a diversion, and with a view to distracting the attention of General
Howe and the American forces concentrated for the protection of the then
capital of Georgia, General Augustine Prevost was ordered to dispatch from
St. Augustine two expeditions, one, by sea, to operate directly against
Sunbury, and the other, by land, to march through and harrass the lower
portions of Georgia, and, at Sunbury, form a junction with the former.
Responding to his instructions, that officer sent by water a detachment of
infantry and light artillery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fuser
for the capture of Sunbury. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Prevost was charged
with the conduct of the expedition by land. He took with him one hundred
British regulars. At Fort Howe, on the Alatamaha, he was joined by the
notorious McGirth, with three hundred refugees and Indians. On the 19th
of November this force entered the Georgia settlements, taking captive
all men found on their plantations, and plundering the inhabitants of
every article of value capable of transportation. At the point where the
Savannah and Darien road crosses Bulltown swamp, Prevost was confronted
by Colonel John Baker, who had hastily collected some mounted militia
to dispute his advance. After a short skirmish the Americans retreated.
Colonel Baker, Captain Cooper, and William Goulding were wounded. At
North Newport Bridge, [afterwards called Riceborough Bridge,] further
resistance was encountered at the hands of the Patriots, but it was
too feeble to materially retard the progress of the invading forces.
Meanwhile, Colonel John White,[204] having concentrated about one hundred
Continentals and militia, with two pieces of light artillery, took post at
Midway Meeting House and constructed a slight breastwork across the road
at the head of the causeway over which the enemy must advance. His hope
was that he might here keep Prevost in check until reinforcements could
arrive from Savannah. An express was sent to Colonel Elbert to advise him
of the hostile invasion, and Major William Baker, with a party of mounted
militia, was detached to skirmish with the enemy and, at every possible
point, interrupt his progress. On the morning of the 24th Colonel White
was joined by General Screven with twenty militiamen. It was resolved
to abandon the present and occupy a new position a mile and a half the
other side of Midway Meeting House where the road was skirted by a thick
wood in which it was thought an ambuscade might be advantageously laid.
McGirth being well acquainted with the country, and knowing the ground
held by Colonel White, suggested to Prevost the expediency of placing a
party in ambush at the very point selected by the Americans for a similar
purpose. It was further proposed, by an attack and feigned retreat, to
draw Colonel White out of his works and into the snare. The contending
parties arrived upon the ground almost simultaneously, and firing
immediately commenced. Early in the action the gallant General Screven,
renowned for his patriotism and beloved for his virtues, received a severe
wound, fell into the hands of the enemy, and was by them killed while a
prisoner and suffering from a mortal hurt. A shot from one of the field
pieces passed through the neck of Prevost’s horse, and both animal and
rider fell. Major Roman, commanding the artillery, supposing that the
British commander had been killed, quickly advanced his two field pieces
to take advantage of the confusion which ensued, and Major James Jackson,
thinking the enemy was retreating, shouted _victory_. Prevost however soon
appeared remounted, and advanced in force. Finding himself overborne by
numbers, Colonel White retreated upon Midway Meeting House, breaking down
the bridges across the swamp as he retired, and keeping out small parties
to annoy the enemy’s flanks. Compelled to withdraw still further, and
desiring by stratagem to retard the advance of the enemy, Colonel White
“prepared a letter as though it had been written to himself by Colonel
Elbert, directing him to retreat in order to draw the British as far as
possible, and informing him that a large body of cavalry had crossed
over Ogechee river with orders to gain the rear of the enemy, by which
their whole force would be captured.” This letter was so dropped as in
the end to find its way into Colonel Prevost’s hands, who seems to have
considered it genuine. It is believed that it exerted much influence in
retarding his advance, which was pushed not more than six or seven miles
beyond Midway Meeting House in the direction of Savannah. Meanwhile,
McGirth, with a strong party, reconnoitering in the direction of Sunbury,
ascertained the fact that the expedition under Lieutenant Colonel Fuser
had not arrived. This circumstance, in connection with the concentration
of the forces of Colonels Elbert and White at Ogeechee ferry, where a
breastwork was thrown up and preparation made vigorously to dispute his
further progress, determined Prevost to abandon his enterprise and return
to St. Augustine. Treating the population as rebels against a lawful
sovereign, and utterly refusing to stipulate for the security of the
country, Prevost, upon his retreat, burnt Midway Meeting House, and all
dwellings, negro-quarters, rice-barns, and improvements within reach. The
entire region was ruthlessly plundered;—the track of his retreating army
being marked by smoking ruins. His soldiers, unrestrained, indulged in
indiscriminate pillage, appropriating plate, bedding, wearing apparel,
and everything of value capable of easy transportation. The inhabitants
were subjected to insult and indignities. The region suffered terribly,
and the patriotism of the people was sorely tried.[205] The scene was
such as was subsequently repeated when General Augustine Prevost in
1779 raided through the richest plantations of South Carolina,[206]
or when the Federal cavalry under General Kilpatrick, in the winter of
1864-1865, over-ran, occupied, and plundered Liberty county, converting
a well ordered and abundantly supplied region into an abode of poverty,
lawlessness, and desolation.
Delayed by head winds, Colonel Fuser did not arrive in front of Sunbury
until Prevost had entered upon his retreat and was beyond the reach of
communication. Late in November, 1778, his vessels, bearing some five
hundred men, battering cannon, light artillery, and mortars, anchored off
the Colonel’s island. A landing was effected at the ship yard. Thence,
the land forces with field pieces, moving by the main road, marched upon
Sunbury. The armed vessels sailed up Midway river in concert, and took
position in front of the fort and in the back river opposite the town,
simultaneously with its investment on the land side by the infantry and
artillery. Colonel John McIntosh, with one hundred and twenty-seven
Continental troops, and some militia and citizens from Sunbury,—numbering
less than two hundred men in all,—held Fort Morris. The town was otherwise
unprotected. Having completed his dispositions, Fuser made the following
demand upon Colonel McIntosh for the surrender of the fort:
“SIR,
“You cannot be ignorant that four armies are in motion to
reduce this Province. One is already under the guns of your
fort, and may be joined, when I think proper, by Colonel
Prevost who is now at the Medway meeting-house. The resistance
you can, or intend to make, will only bring destruction upon
this country. On the contrary, if you will deliver me the
fort which you command, lay down your arms and remain neuter
until the fate of America is determined, you shall, as well
as all of the inhabitants of this parish, remain in peaceable
possession of your property. Your answer, which I expect in an
hour’s time, will determine the fate of this country, whether
it is to be laid in ashes, or remain as above proposed.
“I am Sir,
“Your most obedient, &c.,
“L. V. FUSER,
“Colonel 60th Regiment and Commander of his Majesty’s
Troops in Georgia, on his Majesty’s Service.”
“P. S.
“Since this letter was closed, some of your people have been
firing scattering shot about the line. I am to inform you, that
if a stop is not put to such irregular proceedings, I shall
burn a house for every shot so fired.”
To this demand the following brave response was promptly returned by Col.
McIntosh:[207]
“FORT MORRIS, Nov. 25, 1778.
“SIR,
“We acknowledge we are not ignorant that your army is in motion
to endeavour to reduce this State. We believe it entirely
chimerical that Colonel Prevost is at the Meeting-House: but
should it be so, we are in no degree apprehensive of danger
from a junction of his army with yours. We have no property
compared with the object we contend for that we value a
rush:—and would rather perish in a vigorous defence than accept
of your proposals. We Sir, are fighting the battles of America,
and therefore disdain to remain neutral till its fate is
determined. As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic
reply: COME AND TAKE IT.[208] Major Lane, whom I send with
this letter, is directed to satisfy you with respect to the
irregular, loose firing mentioned on the back of your letter.
“I have the honor to be Sir,
“Your most obedient Servant,
“JOHN MCINTOSH,
“Colonel of Continental Troops.”
In delivering this reply Major Lane informed Colonel Fuser that the
irregular firing of which he complained was maintained to prevent the
English troops from entering and plundering Sunbury. With regard to the
threat that a house should be burned for every shot fired, Major Lane
stated that if Col. Fuser sanctioned a course so inhuman, and so totally
at variance with the rules of civilized warfare, he would assure him that
Colonel McIntosh, so far from being intimidated by the menace, would apply
the torch at his end of the town, whenever Colonel Fuser fired the town on
his side, “and let the flames meet in mutual conflagration.”[209]
Instead of assaulting, Fuser hesitated and awaited a report from scouts
whom he had sent into the country to ascertain the precise movements of
Prevost and learn when his junction might be expected. That officer, as
we have seen, unwilling, after the affair near Midway Meeting House, to
hazard an engagement with the Continental forces supposed to be advancing
from the Great Ogeechee, and surprised at the non-appearance of Fuser
before Sunbury, had already commenced his retreat and was beyond the reach
of easy communication. Surprised and chagrined at the intelligence, Fuser
raised the siege, re-embarked his troops, and returned to the St. Johns
river, where he met the returned forces of Prevost. Mutual recriminations
ensued between these officers, each charging upon the other the
responsibility of the failure of the respective expeditions. Remembering
the superior forces at command, it cannot be doubted that either singly or
in conjunction Prevost and Fuser could have speedily occupied Sunbury and
compelled a surrender of Fort Morris, had their operations been vigorously
pressed. When we consider the paucity of Continental troops and militia
offering resistance to the invading column of the one, and the slender
garrison opposed to the investing forces of the other, the small space and
the short time to be overcome in accomplishing a junction, and the further
fact that they both must have been aware of the near approach to Savannah
of Colonel Campbell’s expedition from which these advances from Florida
were distinctly intended to distract the attention of the Revolutionists,
we cannot but be surprised that Colonels Fuser and Prevost should thus
have abandoned their enterprise when a consummation was manifestly within
easy grasp. Upon his retreat from Sunbury Colonel Fuser landed his
British regulars at Frederica with instructions to repair and place in
good defensive condition the military works which General Oglethorpe had
planned and erected at that point.
Having collected his forces, Gen. Robert Howe marched to Sunbury. During
his short stay there he did little more than point out and condemn the
defenseless condition of the works, and memorialize Congress upon the
dangers which threatened the Georgia coast, the lack of men and munitions
of war, and the disorganization existing in his scattered army. He was
one of those unfortunate officers who, lacking the energy and the ability
to make the most of the resources at command, and harping upon the
existence of defects and wants which inhered in the very nature of things,
constantly clamored for the unattainable, indulged in frequent complaints,
neglected careful organization, discipline and dispositions, and, on
important occasions, became involved in unnecessary perplexities and loss.
Although relieved from the presence of the enemy, heavy shadows rested
upon the inhabitants of St. John’s parish.[210] Desolation and ruin were
on every hand. The gathered crops having been burnt, many were without
sufficient means of subsistence, and not a few were compelled to look
elsewhere for support. These tribulations, however, were but an earnest
of sadder ones soon to follow,—trials so grievous that patriotic hearts
were well-nigh overborne at thought and apprehension of distresses almost
beyond human endurance. These peoples,—the first of the Colony to declare
for freedom,—were on the eve of passing under a yoke far more oppressive
than that from which not three years before they had sought to escape, and
their homes were to become so desolate that expatriation would be found
preferable to a perplexing residence and distressful life in the region
where they had garnered up present possessions and future hopes.[211]
The year 1778 closed gloomily upon the patriots in Georgia. Its capital
fell before the advance of Colonel Campbell. General Howe’s army, retiring
in confusion and with much loss, crossed the Savannah river at Sister’s
and Zubly’s ferries and rendezvoused in South Carolina, leaving the newly
born State entirely open to the enemy. While at Cherokee Hill, on his
retreat, General Howe dispatched Lieutenant Tennill with orders to Major
Joseph Lane commanding at Sunbury to evacuate that post, and, retiring up
the south side of Great Ogeechee river, to join the main army at Zubly’s
ferry. This order was received in ample time, if promptly obeyed, to
have ensured the salvation of the garrison; but Major Lane, moved by the
persuasions of Captain Dollar,—commanding a company of artillery,—and
the entreaties of the citizens of Sunbury, resolved to disregard the
instructions of his General, and assumed the responsibility of remaining
and defending the fort and town.[212] The account of the reduction of Fort
Morris and the fall of Sunbury we give in the language of Captain McCall:
“On the first notice of the arrival of the transports [conveying Colonel
Campbell’s command,] off the coast of Georgia, General Prevost [then in
Florida] marched; and embarked in boats, two thousand men, consisting
of artillery, infantry, loyalists, and Indians. On the 6th of January,
[1778] that part of his army which moved by water was landed on Colonel’s
island, seven miles south of Sunbury, about ten o’clock in the morning;
and Prevost with the light infantry, marched and took possession of the
town early on the ensuing day. Two American gallies and an armed sloop
cannonaded the enemy, but with little effect. The following day the main
body of the enemy arrived. Every exertion was made to prevent the landing
of the cannon and mortars near the town, by the fire from the gallies and
the fort. On the night of the 8th they took advantage of the low tide
to pass behind a marsh island[213] opposite to the fort, with a few of
their boats containing cannon, howitzers, and mortars, and landed them
above the town and placed them on batteries previously prepared. On the
morning of the 9th Prevost summoned the fort to surrender unconditionally,
accompanied by a statement of his force and the weight of his metal.
Major Lane replied that his duty, inclination, and means pointed to the
propriety of defending the post against any force however superior it
might be. The British batteries of cannon and mortars were opened on
the fort and replied to. Lane soon discovered that his fortress would
not be long tenable, and began to repent his disobedience of orders. He
parlied to obtain better terms than unconditional surrender, but no other
would be allowed him: and the time having elapsed for his acceptance or
refusal, hostilities recommenced. He parlied again and requested until
eight o’clock the next morning to consider of the conditions offered to
him, which being peremptorily refused, he assented to them and surrendered
the fort containing twenty-four pieces of artillery, ammunition, and
provisions, and the garrison consisting of seventeen commissioned officers
and one hundred and ninety-five non-commissioned officers and privates,
including Continental troops and militia. The American loss was one
Captain and three privates killed, and seven wounded. The British loss was
one private killed and three wounded.
“The Washington and Bulloch gallies were taken to Ossabaw island, stranded
on the beach, and burned by their crews, who took passage on board of
Captain Salter’s sloop and sailed for Charleston, but were captured by a
British tender and taken to Savannah. Captain John Lawson, of the sloop
Rebecca, of sixteen guns, put to sea and got safe to Charleston.”[214]
After the fall of Sunbury the Continental officers captured at Savannah
were sent to that place on parole.
When General Prevost, after the junction of his forces with those under
Colonel Campbell, moved from the coast into the interior for the complete
subjugation of Georgia, the command of Savannah and the adjacent country
was confided to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Innes. Proclamations of
the most stringent character were issued by him, by Colonel Campbell,
and by Sir Hyde Parker. The inhabitants were enjoined to collect their
arms and accoutrements of every description, and surrender them to the
military storekeeper. Should these have been concealed or buried, as
was not infrequently the case, they were to be uncovered and brought in
under pain of rigid search, exposing the delinquent to punishment as an
enemy to the King. Special places were designated for the arrival and
departure of boats and trading vessels; and permits were required from the
superintendents of such ports for the receipt or conveyance of property of
any description. An infringement of these regulations worked confiscation
of the goods, and punishment of the crews engaged. Peace, freedom,
and protection were offered to all who would at once return to their
allegiance and join the Royal standard. Three months were allowed for the
incoming of the disaffected and deserters, and Savannah was designated
as the place where the oath of allegiance would be administered. The
proclamation of the 11th of January, 1779, was even more onerous. A
reward of two guineas was offered for the apprehension of every citizen
still adhering to the Rebel cause, and ten guineas were promised upon the
surrender of a Committee or Assembly man to any commanding officer of the
King’s garrisons. Prices were prescribed for all articles of merchandise
and country produce. Any deviation from this scale of prices was punished
by the confiscation of the articles exposed for sale. Only to those who
had resumed their allegiance to the Crown were permits to trade granted,
and a fine of one hundred pounds sterling was collectible against any
merchant dealing with one not an acknowledged and loyal subject of the
King. No produce could be exported except under a certificate of the
superintendent of the port that it was not wanted for the use of the
Royal troops. To the families of those who maintained their devotion to
the Rebel cause no mercy was shown. Stripped of property,—their homes
rendered desolate,—often without food and clothing,—they were thrown upon
the charity of an impoverished neighborhood. The entire coast region of
Georgia was now open, and the enemy overran and exacted the most stringent
tribute. Many fled from St. John’s parish and from Sunbury upon the first
approach of Prevost.
Writing from Purysburg on the 10th of January, 1779, to Colonel C. C.
Pinckney, General Moultrie mentions the fact that thousands of poor
women, children, and negroes were fleeing from Georgia,—they knew not
whither;—“sad spectacle that moved the hearts of his soldiers.”[215]
For the time being the parish of St. John was in a deplorable condition.
Multitudes of the inhabitants, unable to sustain themselves in the midst
of the utter destitution which there prevailed, set out for Carolina,
where they subsisted upon the charity of others until the opening spring
afforded an opportunity for planting crops in their new homes. Others,
possessing the means of subsistence, were so oppressed by the operation
of Royal proclamations and restrictions, that they abandoned the region,
seeking refuge in other quarters. Sunbury suffered a material diminution
of population, and never recovered from the shock then experienced.
Although in the enemy’s possession, and paralyzed by the onerous exactions
then imposed, Southern Georgia did not wholly cease from offering
resistance. Colonels Twiggs, Few, and Jones, closely watched the British
outposts, cutting off supplies, and harrassing the garrisons whenever
opportunity occurred. Along the sea-coast were found private armed
vessels, in the service of the Revolutionists, engaged in the removal of
Rebel property in the interest of the owners, and in capturing craft in
the employ of the King.
Ascertaining that some British officers had accepted an invitation from
Mr. Thomas Young to dine with him at Belfast on the 4th of June, 1779,
Captain Spencer, commanding an American privateer, determined to surprise
and capture the party. For this purpose, proceeding up Midway river in
the evening, he landed between eight and nine o’clock at night, and,
with twelve of his men, entering the house, made Colonel Cruger and the
English officers at the table prisoners of war. Intending to carry off
some negroes, Captain Spencer kept his prisoners under guard until morning
when, having taken their paroles, he permitted them to return to Sunbury.
Colonel Cruger was soon after exchanged for Colonel McIntosh who had been
captured at Briar Creek.
On the 28th of the same month Major Baker, advancing toward Sunbury,
attacked and defeated a company of mounted recruits under Captain
Goldsmith at the White-house. Several of the enemy were killed and
wounded. Among the former was Lieutenant Gray, whose head was almost
severed from his body by a sabre cut delivered by Robert Sallett. Major
Baker entered Sunbury without opposition.[216]