History That Doesn't Suck - 11: Southern Discomfort: Savannah & Charleston Captured, Slavery, Massacres, & 1779’s Sundries

Episode Date: January 31, 2018

“I reject your proposals … and shall defend myself to the last extremity.” This is the story of the Revolution's new hot spot: the South. Down here, British leaders hope to score some quick victories with the help of enslaved Americans and Loyalists. This new "Southern Strategy" enjoys a strong start. It will cause the greatest losses of the whole war for the Americans. But other important events are happening all over the globe in 1779, too. The Continental dollar's inflation is getting out of hand. Spain is entering the war. Battles are being fought all over the globe. Massacres of all sorts are happening. But we'll keep the focus on the South ... and on that guy whose body gets flung against the steeple of a church. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Red One... We're coming at you. ...is the movie event of the holiday season. Santa Claus has been kidnapped? You're gonna help us find him. You can't trust this guy. He's on the list. Is that Naughty Lister? Naughty Lister?

Dwayne Johnson. We got snowmen! Chris Evans. I might just go back to the car. Let's save Christmas. I'm not gonna say that. Say it. Alright.

Let's save Christmas. There it is. Only in theaters November 15th. Interior Chinatown is an all-new series based on the best-selling novel by Charles Yu about a struggling Asian actor who gets a bigger part than he expected when he witnesses a crime in Chinatown. Streaming November 19th only on Disney+. Welcome to History That Doesn't Suck. I'm your professor, Greg Jackson, and as in the classroom, my goal here is to make rigorously researched history come to life as your storyteller.

Each episode is the result of laborious research with no agenda other than making the past come to life as you learn. If you'd like to help support this work, receive ad-free episodes, bonus content, and other exclusive perks, I invite you to join the HTDS membership program. Sign up for a seven-day free trial today at htdspodcast.com slash membership, or click the link in the episode notes. This is the third and final of three second edition Revolutionary Era episodes being released in January and February, each of which includes updated sound design by Airship, as well as additional stories and details. New episodes continuing our usual chronological march through U.S. history will return with our next bi-weekly release on February 26th. It's the afternoon of December 29th, 1778,

and Quimino Dali is creeping along a thin, muddy footpath that cuts through a swamp just outside of Savannah, Georgia. His worn-out shoes, or maybe just bare feet, sink into the watery earth with each step, allowing the cold mud to ooze between his toes. It's truly unpleasant, and yet, this is the only way through this surprisingly deep wetland, so thickly enclosed by trees, like Spanish moss-covered cypresses or swamp tupelos. This path is also a secret. In fact, you can't even see it from outside the swamp, and only locals know of its existence.

And that is exactly why the British need Quamino. They need his local know-how. Watching him advance and seeing that he isn't sinking into the swamp, some 600 of the king's soldiers begin following, quite literally in his footsteps, toward Patriot-held Savannah. Okay, time out. Let me give you the bigger picture of what's going on. The British are opening a new military campaign in the south, and the man leading the King's soldiers right now, Quimino, is a slave. In the North, many enslaved Americans are gaining their freedom by fighting for the Patriot cause, but here,

in the South, it often goes the other way around. It's the British who are more likely to offer freedom. We have very few personal details about Quamino. In fact, all I can tell you is his name and that he's black and enslaved. But if I were a betting man, I'd wager that Quamino spent years laboring on the rice plantation surrounding Savannah and that the British have offered him his freedom in exchange for his help. No surprise then that the enslaved Georgian wants to help British Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell and his force of 3,500 execute their amphibious attack on Savannah, which starts with Quimino leading Captain Sir James Baird and his force of 350 light infantry and 250

New York volunteers through this swamp. That's right, loyalist troops. Looks like Quimino isn't the only American here choosing the crown over the Patriot cause. And with that background, let's return to our tale. As the December afternoon wears on, North Carolinian and Continental Major General Robert Howe looks over his defenses here at Fort Savannah. He can see the massive

British army in the distance to the south, their bagpipes and marching drums sounding off as their red and white clad troops maneuver. What a terrible sight. Yet, despite being outnumbered four to one, Robert has hope. Between the natural defenses of the Savannah River to the north, the surrounding rice swamps on all other sides, their advantageous high ground, as well as their intentional destruction of a stream-traversing bridge a few hundred yards down the Savannah Road. The general hopes that his two brigades of a combined 850 Georgians and South Carolinians can hold until reinforcements arrive in a few days. And right now, as his men guard the Savannah Road, it looks like those bagpipe-playing Brits

are maneuvering toward his strong side to the American left. The Patriots' few cannons open fire on the Brits. It seems perfect, too perfect, in fact. And of course, it is. Suddenly, Captain Baird's 600 men charge out of the swamp and into the rear of the Americans fortifications. The Patriot forces are completely shocked as British volleys fly at them from the direction of their own barracks. At the same time British Major Skelly who's perched up high in a

tree from which he can see the whole battlefield waves his hat signaling to the main British army that Captain Bairrett's forces have successfully traversed Quimino's secret footpath. This puts the whole British attack plan into action. British cannons roar to life. Dressed in their plaid hats, white breeches, and red coats, the 71st Regiment's fearsome Highland Scots charge at the American left.

Simultaneously, blue and white clad Hessians move in. The Americans flee for their lives. Some try to make for the Augusta Road only to find themselves cut off. Others scramble toward the city of Savannah itself. Some jump into the Yamacra or Musgroves Creek. Many drown in the high tide. It's said that the Highlanders cruelly bayonet all those patriots unfortunate enough to fall on their path. True or not, the tale will inspire Georgian leaders to later ban all Scots who did not fight as patriots during the war from moving to the state. Whether drowned, shot, or run through, 83 Americans are dead. 11 more are wounded. The British take 453 Americans

captive, which include 38 officers, one of whom is Georgian signer of the Declaration of Independence, George Walton. In retreating, General Robert Howe only manages to save 342 men, less than half of his forces. Conversely, the British suffered 13 casualties, 3 dead and 10 wounded. Thus fell Georgia's colonial capital of Savannah. And only two weeks later, victorious Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell writes to His Majesty's Secretary of State for the American Colonies, Lord George Germain, of his intentions for the rest of the rebellious state. I need not inform your Lordship how much I prize the hope of being the first British

officer to rend a stripe and a star from the flag of Congress. Welcome to History That Doesn't Suck. I'm your professor, Greg Jackson, and I'd like to tell you a story. As we close the door on 1778 and move into 1779, the South is where more and more of the action is. But this is also a year full of important events that are happening around the world. I'm talking about action in Rhode Island, an anti-French riot in Boston, fighting, massacres, and scorched earth tactics on the frontier, financial woes in Philadelphia, military engagements across the Atlantic and in the Caribbean, as well as diplomacy in Spain. Some of these events I'll note briefly. Others will get more detail. But after visiting Spain,

we'll circle back to where this episode began. The South. I'll explain why the British want to take the fight below the Mason-Dixon line, and how the region's large, enslaved Black population brings a different element to the war from what we've seen in the North. And yes, still more battles. Three, in fact. We'll be present for the Franco-American attempt to retake Savannah, where we'll meet and say goodbye to the father of the American cavalry, the Polish count, Kazimir Pulaski. We'll experience the Patriots' single greatest loss of the entire war as the British lay siege at Charleston.

And finally, we'll get the gruesome details of the Battle of the Waxhaws. Or should I say the massacre at the Waxhaws. Like the devastation we'll see on the frontier, you'll have to judge this one for yourself. Shall we then? Let's begin with our Revolutionary War world tour of 1779. Well, mostly 1779. We start in the summer of 1778 with the recently arrived American Allied French fleet and a military engagement on Rhode Island. Rewind. July 8th, 1778. That's the day French Vice Admiral Jean-Baptiste Charles-Henri Hecteur Comte d'Estaing, you know what, Just Comte d'Estaing, that will do,

arrives in the waters just outside Delaware Bay. I mentioned this briefly at the end of the last episode, but to remind you, he has 16 ships, 12 ships of the line and four frigates, as well as 4,000 French troops. Only a little over a week since George Washington's heroic showing at the stalemated Battle of Monmouth,

he's quite pleased to have his French allies here. The Virginian general sends his French-speaking aide-de-camp, John Lawrence, to speak with Admiral d'Estaing. Finally, the United States will know what it feels like to have naval superiority. Vive la France! But as the weeks pass, nothing seems to be going right for a Franco-American offensive. First off, Comte d'Estaing can't take the fight to the British Navy. See, France's heavy ships of the line draw more water than their British counterparts. And it's enough of a difference to prevent Comte d'Estaing's fleet

from engaging British Admiral Lord Richard Howe's fleet, now tucked safely behind the shallow bar in New York Harbor. Okay, no worries. The Franco-American alliance can strike the British on Rhode Island instead. Ah, but with word that the British have sent another fleet under the command of Admiral John Byron, or Foul-Weather Jack, as the storm-followed admiral is known. Comte d'Estaing pulls his troops. Then, in mid-August, a terrible storm hits. Already frustrated by Continental General John Sullivan's insults and poor planning, the French Admiral sails his fleet to Boston for repairs,

dropping anchor on August 28th. General John Sullivan ends up fighting a small engagement back on Rhode Island without French assistance the very next day. He's furious, as are many other Americans, including some of those fiery Bostonians now interacting with the French. It's September 8th, 1778. Amid mountains of flour and ample salt, piping hot baguettes are resting as bakers throw

more in the ovens of Boston's new French bakery. Established to feed Comte d'Estaing's thousands of sailors and soldiers waiting on their ship's repairs, the bakery is more than busy. But deeply Protestant Boston, which still recalls France as the enemy of the French and Indian War, can be a rough place for likewise deeply Catholic Frenchmen, especially with tempers flaring after last month's Rhode Island fiasco. As the day wears on, some Bostonians arrive at the bakery.

We don't know the details, but they and the French have a heated exchange. Those heated words turn into a riot. French grenadiers are quickly called to the scene. Their officers, Chevalier Grégoire de Saint Sauveur and Lieutenant Georges René Le Pellet de Pleville, manage to de-escalate the situation. It seems everything will be okay. Later that evening, these same two French officers are walking the streets of Boston, making their way back to the French fleet. Until a group of some 50 Boston men appears, that is. Wielding

bats, they viciously beat the Frenchmen. One Bostonian strikes Grégoire just above the right eye. He drops like a rock. Grégoire will linger for a week, but on September 15th, this beloved chevalier, well-known and cared for by the French royal family and Comte d'Estaing, succumbs to his wounds and dies. Back home in Boston after another dip in the Continental Congress and a lackluster taste of being a major general in the Massachusetts militia, New England's suave, wealthy merchant, John Hancock, jumps into diplomatic action while the State Assembly votes to raise a memorial in honor of Grégoire, a memorial you will still find on Boston's Freedom Trail in the 21st century. Contestant is appeased, but there will be no more attempts at a Franco-American campaign this year.

In November, the Frenchman responds to this war's global nature by heading south to protect French interests in the Caribbean where, next year, he'll score some victories, including a win against Foulweather Jack at the Battle of Grenada. That's all well and good, but after the disaster of the Rhode Island campaign and Admiral d'Estaing's departure, it's fair to say that the Franco-American alliance is off to a rough start. George Washington is disappointed, but perhaps not as disappointed by the French as he is by Congress. That's right. With his troops making winter's camp along both sides of the Hudson River in New Jersey and New York, George has the displeasure of spending time with Congress in Philadelphia. And I did say Philadelphia, not York. Since France's entering

the war forced the British to withdraw from the city in order to protect itself globally, a wise move given what I just told you about Admiral d'Estaing heading to the Caribbean, Congress has left York, PA and returned to the city of brotherly love. The Continental Commander-in-Chief joins them here in December 1778. George is here to talk logistics and discourage a proposed Lafayette-led invasion of Canada, but the biggest issue is that the Continental dollar isn't worth crap at this point. Inflation is through the roof, which is part of why his men are freezing and short on supplies and food. It's hard to buy supplies with worthless money, especially when merchants can sell to the British, who have

stable currency. In an effort to fight this inflation, George places his own financial well-being at grave risk. He lets those owing money to his estate pay in continentals, and he accepts this weak currency at face value. Ouch. It's a heroic gesture, but before you start pining for a romanticized past of great leaders, let me add that this is just George Washington. Members of the Continental Congress are not joining the Virginian general in such self-sacrificing efforts. In fact, George laments that,

quote, an insatiable thirst for riches seems to have got the better of every other consideration and almost of every order of men, close quote. So why this inflation? Simple. The money has no backing. I'll remind you here that many patriots envision the 13 colonies as 13 sovereign states and have therefore denied

Congress the power to tax. As such, the financial plan is that Congress asks the states for funds all the sacred power of taxation remains, as the written but not yet ratified Articles of Confederation tell us, with the legislatures of the several states. With that understanding, Congress started printing money on the expectation that state-collected taxes would buy back and thus support its fiat currency. But since all Congress can do is say, pretty please, states often don't send any cash. Thus, Congress's continental dollars, which have zero intrinsic value, continue to dilute and inflate faster than a self-inflating emergency raft with the printing of each new dollar.

The currency hasn't hit its rock bottom yet, but it's quite low in early 1779. Over the course of the war, it's moments like these weeks in Philly that form many of the philosophies General Washington will later use as President Washington. He concludes that if these United States are going to stand together, then a simple alliance of sovereign states, or a league of friendship as the Articles of Confederation describe the U.S., isn't going to cut it. Sure, they don't want to reestablish the British system,

but Americans need a central government with at least enough teeth to bite on occasion. It needs a strong executive branch. It has to be able to pay for things like a national military. And to that point, it wouldn't hurt if the American economy diversified a bit. Having an economy where almost everyone is a farmer makes it hard to buy other goods. Someone needs to make stuff like boots, clothes, guns, etc. Now, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but I will point out that George's financial guru,

his aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton, is by his side during these years. Alex is seeing the same problems from the same vantage point as George. Thus, we are bearing witness as the seeds of Alexander's future Federalist Party are getting planted in his head during this very war. Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson, who after drafting the Declaration of Independence, left Congress to work on his home state's government,

like many other A-Lister founding fathers, is having a very different experience back in Virginia. Spending much of the war as a state legislator and governor of such a big and strong state, Tom's going to come to very different conclusions about the national economy and the virtue, or lack thereof, of having a strong national government. As you'll see later, his Democratic-Republicans will eventually go head-to-head with Alexander's Federalists. But that's all down the road. For now, George Washington knows he'll have to keep making do on little as he leaves Congress in Philly in February 1779.

George returns to his winter camping Continental Army and headquarters in Middlebrook, New Jersey. George Washington won't personally see another major battle for years, not until the all-important Battle of Yorktown. But even as the Virginian general twiddles his thumbs, hoping that Admiral Destin will return to provide the naval and manpower needed to take the fight to those New York City-dwelling redcoats, the fight continues elsewhere. That includes the frontier. Presently broken up and arching from Georgia up to Maine, the American frontier isn't without its battles. Out here, British and Loyalist troops fight Patriot forces. Both sides have Native American allies, as leaders of various tribes pick whichever side appears to better

serve their people's interests. This is precisely the scenario as American forces fighting in what will later be known as Indiana take the British fort of Vincennes between February 23rd and 25th, 1779. It's a small engagement yet crucial to American control of the West. It's worth noting that the American commander here is Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, the much older brother of William Clark, the future explorer of Lewis and Clark fame. What can I say? Those Clark boys sure seem to love going west.

But fun as that historical connection is, let's not lose sight of the fact that, though often smaller, the frontier's battles are as brutal as any other. Perhaps worse. The tales of massacres and devastation wrought by both sides are heart-wrenching. This is the case for the heavily impacted Iroquois. A confederation of six nations indigenous to the state of New York, we saw Iroquois warriors on both sides of the Saratoga Campaign in Episode 9. That said, most Iroquois nations are allied with the British slash Loyalists, and in the fight for New York, their homeland. Some Iroquois warriors crossed the line.

The two big examples come from last year, 1778. These are the Battle of Wyoming in Pennsylvania, alternatively known as the Wyoming Massacre, where it is said that the Iroquois scalped and burned prisoners alive, and the Cherry Valley Massacre in Massacre, where it is said that the Iroquois scalped and burned prisoners alive, and the Cherry Valley Massacre in New York, where they burned homes and killed women and children. Not all Iroquois approve of what happened. Notably, Mohawk leader Joseph Brandt saved lives at the Wyoming Massacre by warning civilians to evacuate, but these actions have put the Iroquois on Congress' and the Continental Army's radar. Responding to congressional direction, George Washington sends Major General John Sullivan on an expedition to fight the Iroquois, or rather to end their role in the war.

John will attempt to do so by destroying Iroquois villages. It's August 29th, 1779. General John Sullivan and his force of 4,000 men are near the Pennsylvania border in upstate New York. In recent days, they've encountered mixed British, Loyalist, and Native forces, and that makes the Continentals weary as they approach a tree-covered sloping hill. It looks like a good place for a defending force to make a stand. And they're right. An advanced Continental Rifle Corps investigates and finds camouflaged defensive positions. John Sullivan holds a council of war, and that afternoon,

they're ready to attack. Continental artillery blasts at the hidden breastworks as Continental soldiers move on the left and right with a feint in the center. Greatly outnumbered, Mohawk leader Joseph Brandt and British Captain John Butler have but one option. Retreat. Having won this battle of Newtown, John Sullivan proceeds to do what he's done for the past two months. Destroy Iroquois villages. Cutting down one stock of corn after another, they put these piles of fresh food to the torch. Continental General James Clinton estimates that they destroy, quote, upwards of 6,000 bushels, close quote. They ensure that no one will be living off of this land anytime soon.

The Battle of Newtown, as this engagement is called, was both small and the greatest battle the Sullivan Expedition sees. But the scorched earth destruction of Iroquois villages that I just described is a constant. Destroying orchards, grain, and homes, John Sullivan decimates the homeland of three Iroquois nations, the Seneca, the Cayuga, and the Onondaga, and renders countless Iroquois homeless. It's a sad chapter all around. I feel for the Iroquois trying to survive a war that is not theirs. I sympathize with patriot anger over the torture and death of Americans, including murdered children. I see the injustice in displacing thousands of Iroquois whose only crime is being from the same tribe as those warriors who committed these acts.

I also understand the Continental Army wanting to shut down the Iroquois threat so they can use their troops and resources elsewhere. I suppose if I can say one thing about this with certainty, it's this. In the long run, it's the homeless Iroquois who lost the most in this violent exchange. And they will not soon forget it. Kick off an exciting football season with BetMGM, an official sportsbook partner of the National Football League. Yard after yard, down after down, the sportsbook born in Vegas gives you the chance to take action to the end zone

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With low prices on decor, electronics, and beauty. Perfect for stocking stuffers. And my stocking's looking good. Shop holiday deals early on Amazon now. Continuing our world tour of 1779, we now come to Aranjuez, Spain. It's here, on April 12, 1779, that King Charles III's Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Moniño y Redondo, the Count of Florida Blanca, and French Ambassador Armand Marc, the Count of Montmarin, sign a military alliance.

That's right. Spain has entered the war. But only as an ally of France, not the United States. There are a few reasons for this. Let me explain. See, unlike France, Spain still holds significant interest in the Americas beyond the Caribbean. Spanish territory includes what will eventually become the American Southwest, Mexico, and pretty much everything west of Brazil down to the tip of the South American continent. So King Charles III isn't crazy about giving his American colonies the idea that revolting against monarchical rule is a good thing.

Further, Spanish leaders know that if the Americans win, they'll end up competing with the United States for territory. So why has Spain agreed to help France help the Americans in this war against Britain? Well, Spain, like France, is still smarting from its losses to Britain in this century's wars, including, you guessed it, the Seven Years' War. Thus, Spain agrees to help France as France supports Spain in using this war to try and retake territory lost to Britain, specifically the Floridas, yeah it's plural at this point, the Mediterranean island of Menorca, and just south of Spain at the tip of the

Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar. As for the potential conflict with the United States over territory, well, Spanish leaders realize that this conflict is coming regardless. It's only a question of whether they deal with self-governing Americans or British-ruled Americans. But by still avoiding a direct alliance with the Patriots, the Spanish crown also isn't sending the message to its American colonies that it approves of independence movements. Bien jugado, Carlos. Bien jugado. Thus, French-allied Spain declares war on Britain on June 21, 1779. Congress will yet attempt to form a full-on alliance with Spain. John Jay will spend the years of 1780-82 on a diplomatic mission there,

but he won't accomplish much beyond picking up a $174,000 loan. To become a full-fledged ally, Spain wants guarantees that the United States will hand over its interests on the Mississippi River. John isn't dumb enough to do that, but hey, can't blame Spain for trying. So not being an American ally, you won't see Spain sending armies to fight in the main battles of the revolution like the French do, but it's still an important change in 1779. Why? Because even though Bernardo de Galvez only fights the British for Spain's benefit, every time he engages them in places like West Florida's Pensacola, he'll also lighten the Continental Army's burden by forcing Britain to allocate soldiers and resources away from the 13 colonies.

Let's pause and take in the global nature of the revolution at this point in 1779. The United States is now allied with France, some Native American tribes, and indirectly benefiting from French-allied Spain. The British are allied with other Native American tribes and supported by loyalists as well as German auxiliary troops. Battles are raging across the United States, its frontier, and across the waters. American privateers are on the prowl, and last year, father of the U.S. Navy, John Paul Jones, ventured into the Irish Sea while hundreds of French and British sailors died just west of the English Channel at the naval battle of Ouessant. And Ouessant didn't even include Americans. Then again, many battles don't by 1779 as French Admiral Destin hits the British in the Caribbean and Spanish soldiers and sailors strike the Redcoats at Gibraltar and along the Mississippi.

So this war is everywhere. But that's enough globetrotting for now. It's time to return our attention to where this episode began, to Britain's Georgia-launched campaign for the South. As you heard in today's opening, Savannah fell to British Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell's invading forces in December 1778. This began Britain's campaign to break the rebellion in the South, or its Southern strategy. Why this new Southern focus? First, as we've learned in a few episodes, the war isn't going great for the British up North. The Saratoga campaign was a bust, and although George Washington has lost plenty of battles,

he always seems to come back from the dead and land some solid blows, like at Trenton. You know Christmas will never be the same again for those Germans. The North's stalemate alone is reason to look to the South. Second, loyalist Carolinians fleeing to Britain and former royal governors of southern colonies have shored up colonial secretary Lord George Germain's already held belief that there's more loyalty to be found south of the Mason-Dixon line. Sure, the siege of Charleston back in 1776 failed, but Lord Germain is certain that if they return to the south,

southern loyalists will flock to the Union Jack. Third, the south is just more valuable to Britain. There's nothing the northern colonies produce that isn't already available in Britain, but the south, with its hot and humid climate, is full of lucrative plantations producing cash crops like rice, tobacco, sugar cane, and yes, cotton, but don't put too much stock in that yet.

It'll become a much bigger deal in the 19th century. In short, British leaders think the South is more loyal and more valuable than those rebellious, stalemating New Englanders and other Northerners. Now, as we head into this Southern campaign, we need to note the war's impact on, and the role played by, those doing the work on the South's lucrative plantations, enslaved Black Americans. We've met Black patriots in past episodes, like Salem Poor. Meanwhile, we met a Black loyalist in the opening of today's episode,

Quimino Dali. Yes, just like Native Americans and white Americans, black Americans are found on both sides of this war. Many enslaved Americans, about 5,000 in total, join the patriot cause to gain their freedom. They are often kept in non-combative positions, but when in battle, they usually fight right beside white troops. That segregation nonsense that will keep black and white Americans in separate military units through the mid-20th century hasn't caught on yet. But the opportunity of emancipation through the patriot cause is largely limited to black northerners. Here in the South, that's rarely the case. With an increasingly black population the farther south we go, white slave owners increasingly are, 1. Nervous about handing muskets to a large enslaved population that might revolt rather

than fight the Brits, and 2. Afraid emancipation will require reinventing the state's economy. These differences are why Rhode Island, where 6% of the population is black, succeeds in raising the Continental Army's mostly black Rhode Island First Regiment, while South Carolina, which has nearly equal numbers in black and white residents and will become predominantly black in the years ahead, has no interest in freeing its enslaved population. The British are happy to take advantage of this dynamic in the South. They will offer enslaved black Americans liberty. The British won't always keep their word, sometimes selling black Southerners to Caribbean plantations instead, but black

Southerners are more likely to obtain freedom by throwing in with the Redcoats. This is likely why Quimino Dali showed the British that choice footpath through the swamp at the siege of Savannah. And yet, despite the Deep South's unwillingness to emancipate, there's one influential South Carolinian calling loudly for just that. John Lawrence. I trust you recall this French-speaking aide-de-camp of George Washington, BFF of Alexander Hamilton, and son of the President of Congress for the last episode. He did shoot former Continental General Charles Lee in a duel after all. Though from the South and a family

up to its neck in slavery, John loathes the practice. He encourages slave-owning patriots to free their slaves. Like Alexander Hamilton and still others we've mentioned, John sees how the ideas of the Revolution call for an end to slavery. To quote him, I think that we Americans, at least in the southern colonies, cannot contend with a good To quote him, Bold words. And John doesn't want to wait until after the war. He wants to emancipate slaves and have them fight for the patriot cause in a regiment of free black men. His Lawrence Plan calls for raising a regiment of 3,000 enslaved Georgians and South Carolinians, freeing them and compensating their former masters at a rate of $1,000 per slave. Congress approves it.

But the South Carolina legislature abhors it and votes down the proposal. Thus, this brilliant path to emancipation in 1779 dies. Well, now that we have a full understanding of Britain's Southern Campaign, or Southern strategy, and how slavery impacts the war down here, let's carry on with our Southern story. Let me catch you up on what's happening in Georgia since Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell took Savannah on December 29, 1778. To start, let's meet our new leadership. For the Americans, that's Major General Benjamin Lincoln. A rotund, hardworking New Englander, Ben is a solid leader and has been in command of the Southern Department since late 1778. He was in South Carolina when Savannah fell

and connected with its surviving retreating defenders in January 1779. As for the Brits, their new campaign commander as of late January is General Augustin Prévost, often anglicized, well, in a number of ways, so I'll stick with the French. With a name that shows his Swiss-French roots, he's a veteran of the Seven Years' War and known as Bullethead because of the musket ball wound he took to the temple, yet managed to survive during the 1759 Battle of Quebec. British and American forces in the South square off a few times in the first half of 1779. Back on January 31st, the Brits occupied Augusta. In February, the Americans won the Battle of Port Royal Island in South Carolina,

and, with the noted contributions of legendary six-foot-tall Nancy Hart, or War Woman as her Cherokee neighbors know her, the Battle of Kettle Creek in Georgia. On June 20th, the Brits won at Stono Ferry, South Carolina. Among the American dead was heat-stroke-stricken Hugh Jackson, the older brother of the future U.S. President Andrew Jackson. None of these engagements really moved the de facto dividing line between the Brits and the Americans, essentially the Savannah River. But now, in mid-1779, Ben Lincoln has a grander plan.

With Comte d'Estaing's help, it's time to retake Savannah. That's right, this Frenchman, who's captured the islands of St. Vincent and Grenada from the British since going to the Caribbean, won't return north to help George Washington, but he will respond to a French colonel's plea to help in Georgia. The first of his vast fleet arrive in Georgian waters on September 4th. In the days following, he and Ben Lincoln make a plan to bring their combined 5,000 strong Franco-American forces together and attack Savannah's 3,200 British defenders. Frenchmen come ashore as the British send word to Sir Henry Clinton

for reinforcements and use slave labor to reinforce Savannah's defenses. Admiral Destin asks the outnumbered British to surrender. In turn, Augustine Prévost asks for 24 hours to deliberate, which he uses to strengthen his defenses and allows 800 reinforcements to arrive. He then says no. The French and Americans begin digging trenches to lay siege, but the French admiral soon realizes that this will take too long. He's too low on supplies to sustain his thousands of sailors. Thus, on October 8th, Comte d'Estaing ignores his disagreeing officers and calls for an assault the next morning. It's 5.30 am, October 9th.

We're just outside Savannah, Georgia, where the Franco-American assault is just starting, a full hour and a half behind schedule. French-American artillery roar as Admiral Destin yells out, vive le roi! Divided into an elite vanguard in two columns, his French and few Irish troops respond in kind as they follow their admiral, who started his career in the army, onto the field. They charge forward, facing rice swamps and newly built defenses, including a deep trench and sharply pointed abadie. As they do, British guns fire musket balls and grape shot. Frenchmen are falling left and right. Comte d'Estaing is hit twice, first in an arm, then in a leg.

But holding to his belief that courage conquers all, he refuses to retreat. They will take the Spring Hill Redoubt. Now the Americans charge into the fray. At the head of the first column, John Lawrence leads his South Carolina Continentals. They reach the parapet, plant their colors, but can't take the red out. Meanwhile, General Lachlan Mackintosh is leading the second American column into the madness. In the midst of all of this, the father of the American cavalry, a Polish nobleman turned Continental General,

who's distinguished himself on the battlefield ever since Brandywine, Count Casimir Pulaski, has managed to reach the abatis. But it's here that grapesrapeshot strikes his upper right thigh and groin. The much-beloved Polish count drops from his horse and is dragged severely wounded from the field. Comte d'Estaing finally relents. He sounds the retreat. As the Franco-American forces fall back, the French reserve column, including the several hundred strong free black Haitian militia,

les Chasseurs Volontaires de Saint-Domingue, advance from the Jewish cemetery and provide cover for the retreat. This episode is brought to you by Dyson OnTrack. Dyson OnTrack headphones offer best-in-class noise cancellation and an enhanced sound range, making them perfect for enjoying music and podcasts. Get up to 55 hours of listening with active noise cancelling enabled, soft microfiber cushions engineered for comfort, and a range of colours and finishes. Dyson OnTrack. Headphones remastered.

Buy from DysonCanada.ca. With ANC on, performance may vary based on environmental conditions and usage. Accessories sold separately. This NFL season, get in on all the hard-hitting action with FanDuel, North America's number one sportsbook. You can bet on anything from money lines to spreads and player props, or combine your bets in a same-game parlay for a shot at an even bigger payout. Plus, with super-simple live betting, lightning-fast bet settlement,

and instant withdrawals, FanDuel makes betting on the NFL easier than ever before. So make the most of this football season and download FanDuel today. 19-plus and physically located in Ontario. Gambling problem? Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connectsontario.ca. The October 9th, 1779 Franco-American attack on British-held Savannah's Spring Hill Redoubt was an absolute disaster. Leading the charge, the French suffered about 800 casualties, including 61 officers. American losses ran over 300, bringing the Allied attacks casualties to over 1,000. Among them is the fearless father of the American cavalry, Count Kazimir Pulaski. Surgeon James Lina will long remember the Count's courage during the painful surgery

to remove grapeshot from his riddled body. But he ultimately dies, likely on October 11th, which will later become General Pulaski Memorial Day. Savannah will later build a monument in his honor. In fact, the city will also raise an impressive memorial to honor the free Black Haitians, les chasseurs volontaires de Saint-Domingue, who fought here. Huh. So not to lose sight of this crushing defeat, but let me point out this one battle has a Polish count, Black Haitians, an Irish brigade, as well as French and American troops. And I could go on. See what I mean? The American Revolution

has become a world war. As with the defending British, this assault cost them roughly 100 men, or about 10% of French and American losses. A resounding British victory then. The Franco-American siege has failed and Comte d'Estaing returns to France. And yet, the fight for Georgia is only beginning. With George Washington avoiding Sir Henry Clinton's every attempt to draw him into a decisive battle, and the knowledge of Comte d'Estaing's departure, the British commander doubles down on the southern strategy. Sir Henry is personally joining the fight in the south. He and an army of 8,500 Brits, Loyalists, and Hessians

set sail from New York in 90 transports and 14 warships on December 26, 1779. They endure two months of rough seas and storms, even losing one transport. Sir Henry, who hates sailing even with the calmest of seas, is miserable. On February 11, 1780, they land on Simmons Island, later to be known as Seabrook, which lies roughly 30 miles south of their target, Charleston, South Carolina. Let me paint you a verbal picture of the capital city of revolutionary South Carolina. Charleston is the only real city in the relatively sparsely populated southern states and has a rather cosmopolitan population of roughly 12,000. The majority of its inhabitants are of British descent, but you'll also find plenty of enslaved African Americans, French, Germans, and Spanish residents, as well as enslaved African Americans. The city itself consists of some thousand or so homes,

built of wood and brick. Location-wise, Charleston sits at the south-facing tip of a peninsula, with two rivers running on either side of it. To the east, we have the Cooper River. To the west, the Ashley River. To the south, across the harbor, are marsh-covered islands. Charleston is also a hotbed of rebellion that helps move along Patriot supplies. In assaulting the city, Sir Henry hopes to take an important patriot position and build on the previous British victory at Savannah. Further, he's undertaking the first serious British offensive against the American rebels since Gentleman Johnny's 1777 disaster in Saratoga, New York.

So this is kind of a big deal. Through mid-February 1780, Sir Henry's massive army miserably traverses Johns and James Islands, which Captain Johann Hinrich describes as, "...a wilderness of deep sand marshland and impenetrable woods where human feet had never trod." After ten days of this, they are close enough to the mainland and on sufficiently firm ground to set up headquarters and make camp. Ever careful in calculating to a fault, Sir Henry pauses and calls for reinforcements as he prepares his attack. His forces soon exceed 12,000 men, more than twice the number of Charleston's Patriot defenders.

As Sir Henry plots, Continental Commander of the Southern Department, General Benjamin Lincoln prepares. He's got his work cut out for him. Not only are Charleston's defenses dilapidated, but its position at the edge of a peninsula makes it difficult to defend. Further, he has a city full of civilians who, for the most part, are happy to rely on him for protection but aren't willing to do a damn thing to help. That's rough. Nonetheless, Ben gets to it.

He rebuilds the fortifications along both rivers, erects breastworks and redoubts on the neck to the city's north, and adds a line of forts on both of the city's river-flanked east and west sides, as well as a redoubt to its southern tip at the peninsula's end. Expecting the navy-loving British to strike from the sea, Ben focuses most of his attention on these latter defenses facing Charleston Harbor. That assumption is unfortunate for Ben because Sir Henry already tried that when he led the attack on Charleston back in 1776.

Instead, he's decided to circle north of Charleston and lay siege to the peninsula occupying city by digging trenches down the neck of land that connects it to the mainland. Now let me add here that Charleston has the potential to turn into a trap. Continental General Ben Lincoln knows it. Far away up north, Continental Commander-in-Chief George Washington knows it. Both know it could play out just like Long Island did for George back in 1776, which the Virginian only narrowly escaped by ferrying across the East River under the cover of night.

So as we go on, let it be known, the Southern commander does not want to let himself get trapped, like George once did, in his own fortification. Even as that's exactly what Sir Henry Clinton hopes to do. The pro-emancipation South Carolinian John Lawrence sees it. On March 14, 1780, he writes to George Washington arguing that a trap-laying siege is exactly what the Brits plan to do. The enemy's present disposition of his force in all his late operations indicate a design to attack Charleston by siege in form. John goes on to describe the

British transports and storeships sitting just south of Charleston by siege in form. John goes on to describe the British transports and storeships sitting just south of Charleston at the opening of the Ashley River and speculates that Sir Henry might undertake, quote, a circuitous march, fortify a camp on the neck, and open his trenches, close quote. The situation is so bad, John even suggests to the Continental Commander that he should personally come down and reinforce Charleston, that this alone will break the British siege. But alas, currently making Winter's camp at Morristown, New Jersey, with a small, ill-supplied, and somewhat mutinous army, George is in no place to help. And as we know, John Lawrence is exactly right about a siege.

In late March, Sir Henry's army crosses the Ashley River. By April 1st, the Redcoats are on the peninsula's neck, about a thousand yards north of patriot-defended Charleston. And this is when the siege begins. Starting April 1st, 1780, Sir Henry Clinton's British, Loyalist, and German forces began their labors under an unusually hot South Carolina sun, digging a trench that builds redoubts a mere 800 yards away from the Patriots fortifications. This is the first parallel, and after 10 days, during which

750 Virginians reinforced Charleston shortly before the British cut off the harbor, this line of British fortifications cuts across the entirety 750 Virginians reinforced Charleston shortly before the British cut off the harbor. This line of British fortifications cuts across the entirety of the peninsula's relatively thin neck. Now, the British begin digging toward the city. With careful input from engineers, as many as 500 British soldiers at a time dig zigzagging lines and build defensive positions. The sandy soil caves. Sand fleas bite. Approaching the peninsula's canal, more and more water caves into their trenches. As the days pass and the trench-digging British draw closer to Charleston,

artillery on both sides fire. The British use typical shot. The Americans, however, are running low on supplies and fire anything that can do damage. Flat irons, broken locks and shovels, pickaxes even. Horrifyingly, these irregular objects prove effective at tearing off limbs. Although no worse than more normal projectiles, they terrify Sir Henry's men. That horror only grows as the distance between the two sides shortens with a second parallel constructed. The Patriots are filled with fear as well as they watch the trap slowly tighten around them in Charleston. That trap becomes all the more real on April 14th.

That's when British Lieutenant Colonel Bannister Tarleton seizes one of the few footpaths by which Ben Lincoln's army could still escape, Monk's Corner. Meanwhile, the lines get even closer. The Americans launch raids against the British, whose trenches are nearly right against theirs. American General William Moultrie tells us that on April 24th, 300 men, Virginians and South Carolinians, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henderson, made a sortie upon the enemy's approaches opposite the advanced redoubts at daylight. They were completely surprised and lost about 15 to 20 men killed with the bayonet,

besides 12 persons brought off on our side. By late April, everyone is terrified. Soldiers on both sides fear for the worst, desert, and give up information. The British have completed three parallels. On April 21st, Continental General Ben Lincoln offers to surrender to British Commander Sir Henry Clinton. Ben's terms are that he and his whole army be allowed to leave intact. But the British commander knows he's got the American. There's no need to give such generous terms. By early May, the British trenches are literally yards away from the American lines. The night of May 9th is the final throwdown. As the two sides swap cannon fire, Charleston's beautiful wooden homes go up in flames. This is the breaking point. Three days later, March 12,

1780, Ben surrenders Charleston and his army of 5,500 men. Sir Henry has captured General Benjamin Lincoln and his entire army, as well as taken the finest port and largest city in all of the South. This is the greatest loss the Americans will see throughout the entire war. The American militiamen are released on parole. Ben's 2,500 Continentals are made prisoners of war. At first, the officers get to keep their swords, but when they begin chanting, Long live Congress! Long live Congress! Well, Sir Henry doesn't find this amusing.

He's taking the Continental officer's swords. In fact, he'll make sure Ben Lincoln feels many an insult, denying the Continental General several of the usual honors afforded a surrendering foe. British casualties run 76 dead and 189 wounded. For the Americans, 89 dead and 138 wounded. They also feel the sting of losing valuable supplies, including 6,000 muskets and hundreds of barrels of powder. Relatively low casualties on both sides, all things considered, though 800 of the Continentals taken here today will soon die on prison ships.

In fact, the surrender itself proves more deadly than the siege. As the British stacked the defeated Americans' arms on the afternoon of May 15th, the British ignored their surrendering foes' warnings that these guns are still loaded. Now, what happens when you lackadaisically throw thousands of black powder guns near a massive store of black powder? I'll let General William Moultrie take it from here. To quote him, they threw the guns so carelessly into the store that some at last set fire to the powder, which blew up the whole guard of 50 men and many others that were standing by. Their carcasses,

legs, and arms were seen in the air and scattered over several parts of the town. One man was dashed with violence against the steeple of the new independent church, which was at a great distance from the explosion, and left the marks of his body there for several days. Ugh, every time I read that I can't help but picture this poor unnamed man thrown so high in the air he's dashed against a church steeple. I don't even want to know what the marks his body left behind looked like, nor this rain of human appendages falling from the sky. In all, 200 people die in this entirely avoidable accident. I'm guessing everyone present gained a newfound respect for muskets and the safe handling of firearms that day. Large black powder explosion aside,

we need to point out one other thing to button up the siege of Charleston. Sir Henry leaves. That summer, he takes 4,000 troops and goes back to his headquarters in New York, leaving behind his number two, Lord Cornwallis, to take charge of the southern strategy. Given how little they like one another, I'm sure both are very happy with this arrangement. York, leaving behind his number two, Lord Cornwallis, to take charge of the southern strategy. Given how little they like one another, I'm sure both are very happy with this arrangement. Strategically speaking, we will not top the damage done to the Patriot cause at Charleston, but shortly after, there is a much smaller battle that impacts the psychological consequences of how this war is fought. This is the battle, or rather the massacre, at the Waxhaws.

It's early in the afternoon, May 29th, 1780. Two weeks and change since Charleston fell to the British. 32-year-old Continental Colonel Abraham Buford and his force of roughly 400 Continentals from the 3rd Virginia Detachment are on the march just south of the line between the Carolinas, in a region known as the Waxhaws. They had hoped to help Ben Lincoln hold Charleston, but having caught word of its fall, are now making their way back to North Carolina to rejoin other Patriot forces. But as they travel, a British messenger, Captain Kinloch, approaches Colonel Abraham Buford. He presents a letter from British Lieutenant Colonel Bannister Tarleton, who, sent by Lord

Cornwallis with a mixed force of cavalry and infantry, means to capture the Colonel and his men. In the message, this 25-year-old British commander claims to have a force of 700, asks for Abraham's surrender, and says that, if you are rash enough to reject the terms, the blood be upon your head. The continental colonel answers just as boldly, giving the messenger the following response, I reject your proposals and shall defend myself to the last extremity. If only he knew how true those words were. At three in the afternoon, about nine miles off from Lancaster Courthouse, an advanced guard of British cavalry suddenly appear.

They quickly take an American sergeant and four other troops captive. Currently in an open wood, Abraham has his Virginians form lines and position their two six-pounder guns. Across the way, a bugle sounds. And there, the British infantry stand, flanked on each side by Bannister Tarleton's cavalry. Their numbers were a lie. It's closer to 250 and filled with Loyalists. The British charge at the numerically superior Americans. But their cavalry quickly move to the American rear.

Seeing this, the colonel knows they can't win. He raises the white flag, preparing to surrender. But as for what happens in this moment, sources conflict. According to Bannister Tarleton, the Virginians shoot his horse while asking for order. Seeing this, his men attack ruthlessly before he can get up and stop them. But according to American accounts, Bannister very purposely ensures his horses struck just

as the surrender begins to have a pretext to slaughter. The truth of this moment will never be known, but what follows, as American doctor Robert Brownfield tells us, is a loyalist slaughter of disarmed patriots. Quote, for 15 minutes after every man was prostrate, they went over the ground plunging their bayonets into everyone that exhibited any signs of life. And in some instances where several had fallen one over the other, these monsters were seen to throw off on the point of the bayonet the uppermost to come at those beneath. Close quote. Abraham Buford and some of his men get away. But over 100 Virginians lie dead, while another 150 or so are left wounded on the field.

Locals try to tend to their bayonet wounds, but many won't make it. Lacking resources to do anything more, Waxhaw residents bury these dead patriots in mass graves. From here on out, cries of, remember Buford and Tarleton's quarter, will fuel the patriot cause. In this world touring episode, we have talked about various massacres and scorched earth tactics coming from both sides, all of which left indelible marks and made unjust casualties of war, including civilians and children. A sad truth I've learned from history is that no single political ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, you name it, is above the worst aspects of our species.

If a person or a group is pushed far and long enough, they can break. You can break. And I think that's a really scary thought for most of us. Because we don't want to acknowledge that the groups we belong to or that we as individuals all have a Mr. Hyde deep inside our Dr. Jekyll. We'll see more breaking points hit in the revolution's

difficult year of 1780. As the fight for the South continues, the hero of Saratoga, General Horatio Gates, will falter, while up north, his Saratoga nemesis, a twice-wounded and forever physically impaired for the patriot cause general, will become the most notorious traitor in the history of the United States. Oh, how the mighty fall. That's right. Next time, we'll not only continue the story of the South, we'll also head north to witness the treason of Benedict Arnold. History That Doesn't Suck is created and hosted by me, Greg Jackson.

Episode research and written by Greg Jackson. Production by Airship. Sound design by Molly Vaughn. Theme music composed by Greg Jackson. Arrangement and additional composition by Lindsey Graham of Airship. For bibliography of all primary and secondary sources consulted in writing this episode, visit htbspodcast.com. HTDS iscast.com. Thank you. Thanks for watching! Matthew Simmons, Melanie Jan, Nate Seconder, Nick Caffrell, Noah Hoff, Owen Sedlak, Paul Goeringer, Randy Guffrey,

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