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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 145
the garrison in command of which, hearing of Oglethorpe's approach,
retreated to the city for protection. On arriving before the gates of
St. Augustine, Oglethorpe demanded the surrender of the town; but
this message was returned by its commander: "I will shake hands
with General Oglethorpe in the castle." Though somewhat ambigu
ous as to its exact meaning, it clearly implied a refusal to surrender.
Oglethorpe's plan of campaign included a naval attack. But
unfortunately the ships could not get close enough to support the land
forces, whereupon, instead of storming the city, a siege was instituted.
From the standpoint of military science, no criticism was to be made
of Oglethorpe's plan. His object, in the first place, was to prevent
re-enforcements from reaching the Spaniards within the walls. He
also wished to deceive the enemy as to his own strength, which was all
too small to compass so hazardous an undertaking. Accordingly, he
ordered Colonel Palmer, with ninety-five Highlanders and forty-two
Indians, to scour the country in every direction, to cut off all supplies,
to keep the Spaniards deceived as to his number, to be constantly on
the march, showing himself everywhere, and to rest at no one place two
nights in succession. But a violation of orders proved fatal to the suc
cess of this stratagem. Colonel Palmer remained three nights at Fort
Moosa; and the Spanish general, learning of his whereabouts, took him
one morning by surprise. Colonel Palmer fell early in the action; also
a captain. Twenty Highlanders were killed and twenty-seven were
captured, but never lions fought more fiercely, and, to quote Colonel
Jones, "this hand to hand conflict was won at a cost to the enemy of
more than a hundred lives.'' Oglethorpe was chagrined at this unex
pected turn. It completely upset his calculations, opening the way for
food supplies, of which the Spaniards were already greatly in need.
Had it not been for Colonel Palmer's violation of orders the fall of
St. Augustine would doubtless have followed within a week's time.
There was now no alternative left but to withdraw the troops. The
sultry days of mid-summer were at hand. Many of Oglethorpe's men
had been prostrated by fever; and there seemed to be no likelihood
of success in accomplishing the city's reduction. The attack on
St. Augustine was therefore abandoned; but the English had lost only
fifty men while the Spaniards had lost 450, besides four forts.
On returning to Frederica—his home since 1735—Oglethorpe lay
for weeks in the clutches of a slow fever which threatened to end his
life. It did leave him weak, emaciated and enfeebled, and he was
months in regaining his former strength. But his zeal for the prov
ince was unabated; his vigilance, his enthusiasm, his courage—these
knew no weariness. Five reasons are given by an eminent historian
for Oglethorpe's failure to reduce St. Augustine:
1. The delay in starting. This was due mainly, if not entirely, to
tardiness on the part of the South Carolina authorities in contributing
troops and provisions, for which requisition had been made in due sea
son. Upon Oglethorpe's regiment, supported by Indian allies and
Georgia colonists, had devolved the brunt of the siege. The Caro-
linians, under Colonel Vanderdussen, proved inefficient, turbulent and
disobedient.
2. The re-enforcement of St. Augustine with men and supplies from
Vol. I—10