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146 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
Havana just before the English, expedition set out, thereby materially
repairing the inequality previously existing.
3. The injudicious movement against Forts Francis tie Papa and
Diego, which put the Spaniards on the alert, encouraged concentration
on their part, and foreshadowed an immediate demonstration in force
against their stronghold.
4. The inability of the fleet to participate in the assault previously
planned, and which was to have been vigorously undertaken as soon
as General Oglethorpe with his land forces came into position before
the walls of St. Augustine.
5. The destruction of Colonel Parker's command, thereby enabling
the enemy to communicate with and draw supplies: from the interior;
the lack of heavy ordinance with which to reduce the castle from the
batteries on Anastasia Island; the impossibility of bringing up the
larger war vessels to participate in the bombardment; the inefficiency
of Colonel Vanderdussen's command; the impatience and disappoint
ment of the Indian allies who anticipated early capture and liberal
spoils; hot sun, heavy dews, a debilitating climate, sickness among the
troops, the arrival of men, munitions o-f war, and provisions through
the Matanzas River, these in the end rendered quite futile every hope
which at the outset had been entertained for a successful prosecution
of the siege.* It is needless to add that Oglethorpe was most severely
and harshly criticized in England for the failure of the expedition
against St. Augustine; but much of this criticism was captious, ill-
advised, and unjust.
To prepare for a Spanish invasion, which was now imminent, Ogle
thorpe, on recovering from his malady, employed his regiment in
erecting new fortifications. At the same time, old ones were put in
repair. But more than a year was destined to elapse before a renewal
of hostilities. Taking advantage of the lull, let us contemplate a pic
ture of Georgia's founder drawn by the master-hand of an eminent
historian: t
"During' these seven years, which constituted the entire life of the
colony, General Oglethorpe had enjoyed no respite from his labors.
Personally directing all movements, supervising the location, and pro
viding for the comfort, safety, and good order of the settlers, accommo
dating their differences, .encouraging and directing their labors,
propitiating the aborigines, influencing necessary supplies and inaugu
rating suitable defenses, he had been constantly passing from point to
point, finding no rest for the soles of his feet. Now in tent at Savan
nah, now in open boat reconnoitring the coast, now upon the southern
islands, his only shelter the wide-spreading live-oak, designating sites
for forts and look-outs, and with his own hands planning military
works and laying out villages; again in journeys oft along the Savannah,
the Great Ogeechee, the Altamaha, the St. John and far off into the
heart of the Indian country-, frequently inspecting his advanced posts,
undertaking voyages to Charlestown and to England in behalf af the
trust, and engaged in severe contests with the Spaniards, his life had
* Colonel Charles C. Jones in History of Georgia, Vol. I, p. 334.
t Charles C. Jones, Jr., History of Georgia, Vol. I, pp. 336-7.