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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 287
troops under his command consisted of his majesty's Seventy-first Regi
ment of foot, of two battalions of Hessians, of four battalions of provin
cials, and of a detachment of the Royal Artillery—in all comprising
some 3,000 men. Landing, with slight opposition, at Girardeau's plan
tation—then about l 1/^ miles from the town—on the 29th the battle
for the retention of Savannah was fought, which culminated in a dis
astrous defeat for the Americans. In this unfortunate affair, the Geor
gians were heavy losers in every way. The loss of life was considerable,
and a surprising number were taken prisoners; and, moreover, their
valuable military accumulations fell into the hands of their victorious
adversaries. Gen. Robert Howe was on this occasion charged with the
defense of Savannah, and was severely criticised because of the un
reasonably easy defeat.
The British attention was now turned toward the capture of Augusta.
Accordingly, about the middle of January, 1779, Colonel Campbell made
his arrangements for putting that plan into execution. A thousand
strong, he marched upon the place, .which was guarded fey General Wil-
liamson, and a body of provincials. But though the partisan patriot
leaders strove to stem the irresistible tide that appeared to be carrying
everything .before it, through the seeming treachery of "Wiilliamson
Augusta was surrendered to the enemy without a struggle.
A month later, or on the 14th of February, 1779, a ray of light
pierced the dark gloom of despondency, and new hopes were placed in
the breasts of the indefatigable revolutionists by their brilliant victory
at Kettle Creek. As a consequence of the great enthusiasm aroused by
that splendid triumph, and the increased activity which was developed
among the Americans in Upper Georgia, Colonel Campbell found it
expedient to evacuate Augusta, This famous engagement was fought
early on the morning of the eventful day. The combined forces of
Colonels Pickens, Dooly, and Clarke were then in active pursuit of
Colonel Boyd, who was intent upon a junction with the infamous Tory
officer, Daniel McGirth, on Little River.
As the patriots neared the camp of the Loyalists, who were seemingly
unconscious of their coming, they devised an order of battle. A strong
vanguard moved 150 paces in advance. The right and left wings, con
sisting each, of 100 men, were, respectively, commanded by Colonels
Dooly and Clarke; while the center, numbering 200 men, was led by
Colonel Pickens. On their approach, the pickets fired and retreated.
Hastily forming his line in rear of his encampment, Colonel Boyd pre
pared to repel the assault. After acquitting himself with great bravery,
he, with his immediate command, was overpowered and driven back upon
the main body. In the retreat, Boyd fell, mortally wounded. Upon
this, the enemy, abandoning horses, baggage, and munition wagons, fled
through the swamp, and reformed on the high ground beyond. Here
the conflict, which was measurably sanguinary, was renewed. At
length, the Americans gained complete possession of the hill; and the
Loyalists, routed at all points, rapidly withdrew from the scene of
action. They left some seventy of their number dead upon the field;
while seventy-five were included among their wounded and captured.
On the part of the revolutionists, nine were slain and twenty-three