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CHAPTER IV
THE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH, CONTINUED—DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE DEFEAT
—COLONEL WHITE'S GALLANT EXPLOIT,—SERGEANT JASPER—THE
SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF AUGUSTA—NANCY HART—CORNWALLIS OVER
THROWN AT YORKTOWN——GENERAL WAYNE ENTERS SAVANNAH——THE
STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE ENDS—CONCLUDING REMARKS.
NOTES: THE STORY OF AUSTIN DABNEY—COLONEL JOHN WHITE—
EBENEZER IN THE REVOLUTION—GEORGIA JEWS IN THE REVOLUTION—
GEORGIA PATRIOTS OUTLAWED BY THE TORY . GOVERNMENT—THE
STEWART.-SCREVEN MONUMENT—THE DEATH OF GENERAL SCREVEN—
HEARD's PORT.
(This chapter prepared by Charles Edgeworth Jones, Esq.)
Contemporaneously with the ill-advised acquiescence on the part of
D'Estaing, oecurred his junction with General Lincoln and his Conti
nentals. Unconscious of the impending tragedy, so soon to be enacted,
the last-named were hilarious over their prospective triumph. While
they were intent on this profitless rejoining, their antagonists were most
active, and were bending their every effort toward supplying their exist
ing deficiencies. Besides the cannon already in position around Savan
nah, 100 more were now added; the warships being stripped o£ their
batteries in order that the latter might be utilized for the armament of
the earthworks. The protections of the southern, eastern, and western
exposures of the town were also greatly strengthened; and such was the
progress made, that before the truce had expired, and fire had opened,
the British had constructed thirteen substantial redoubts, and fifteen
gun batteries mounting eighty cannon, field-pieces being distributed at
regular intervals. Furthermore, ships were sunk in the channel, above
and below the beleaguered city; and, as a result, the hostile ascent of
the stream was effectually precluded. With a view to increasing the
numerical strength of the defenders, all troops were recalled from out
lying posts. Lieutenant-Colonel Crugcr, with his contingent, being
withdrawn from Sunbury, and Colonel Maitland, with his strong detach
ment of 800 men, being summoned from Beaufort. Says Major McCall,
in alluding to the circumstance: '' The acquisition of this formidable
re-enforcement, headed by an experienced and brave officer, effected a
complete change in the dispirited garrison. A signal was made, and
three cheers were given, which rung from one end of the town to the
other."
On the receipt of Prevost's unfavorable response, the siege was at
once resolved upon by the allied commanders, who, accordingly, made
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