EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH.

171

He

movement, threw himself between Brown and Savannah. surprised the British about midnight, and routed their whole party. This battle, fought about four miles south-west from Savannah, on the Ogeechee road, resulted in the loss of forty of the enemy killed and wounded, and twenty taken prisoners. Notwithstanding the action was fought with the sword and bayonet, the Americans lost but five killed and two wounded. On the 24th of June, General Wayne was attacked about five miles from Savannah, in the night, by a party of Creek Indians, who by their impetuous assault, compelled the advanced troops to fly, and succeeded in taking two pieces of artillery; but Colonel White charged them with the cavalry, and the Indians retreated. They were engaged at close quarters, and fought with uncommon bravery, until the death of one of their bravest chiefs caused them to retreat.

The royalists came out from Savannah to join the Indians, and were attacked by Wayne, who drove them back, taking one British standard and one hundred and twenty-seven loaded pack-horses. On this occasion, Wayne lost thirteen killed and wounded. In July, Savannah was evacuated by the British. Wayne took possession of it, and the war was ended in Georgia.

A few incidents are to be noticed in South Carolina. A large party of the British were sent after provisions, to Combahee ferry. General Gist marched at the head of three hundred men to oppose them, and he succeeded in capturing one of their schooners, and in frustrating their design. It happened, on the 27th of August, and in a slight skirmish of the advanced parties, that the gay, young, and talented Colonel John Laurens, who led the Americans, was mortally wounded. His fall, thus late in the struggle, and when the independence for which he fought was on the eve of accomplishment, was long lamented by the nation, to whom his many virtues had endeared him.

A party of the British on James island, near Fort Johnson, were attacked by Captain Wilmot, who, with some of his men, was killed, when the rest of the party retreated. This

172

CAPTURE OF THE GENERAL MONK.

was the last blood shed in the revolution, and the close of the war in South Carolina. Charleston was evacuated by General Leslie, on the 14th of December, and Wayne took possession of it, at the head of about five thousand troops.

We must pay to the ladies of the southern states, the tribute which is so justly due to their heroism and patriotism in the time of danger, which, in the expressive language of General Moultrie, contributed much to the independence of America.

Some naval incidents of note occurred during this year, year, the first of which, in the order of time, was the capture of the ship General Monk, eighteen, by the American vessel, Hyder Ally, mounting sixteen six-pounders. The Hyder Ally had been purchased and fitted out by the State of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of clearing the Delaware of the small craft of

THE FRIGATE SOUTH CAROLINA.

173

the enemy, by which it was infested. The merchants of Philadelphia were so anxious for the equipping of the vessel, that they advanced the necessary funds, and the General Monk was captured before the act authorizing the cruise of the Hyder Ally had gone through all the necessary legal forms. She was commanded by Lieutenant Joshua Barney, who entered on the service of convoying a fleet of merchantmen to the capes, and protecting them from the privateers. While near the capes, he was attacked by two ships and a brig belonging to the enemy, which attack he coolly sustained whilst the convoy was sailing up the bay. One of the enemy's ships employed herself in attempting to follow them, another captured one of the vessels, which grounded, whilst Barney waited for the brig. When near her, the Hyder Ally poured in a heavy broadside, and by a naval stratagem secured a position which enabled him to rake the enemy. Twenty broadsides were fired in twenty-six minutes, when the General Monk was compelled to strike. She had twenty killed and thirty-three wounded, whilst the Hyder Ally lost four killed and eleven wounded. Barney followed his convoy up to Philadelphia, bringing along the prize. Soon after he captured a refugee schooner, which had done much injury to Philadelphia commerce.

Towards the close of this year the South Carolina, a frigate hired by the state whose name she bore, of the Duke of Luxembourg, was captured by a force of three large armed ships, purposely sent to watch her motions. This vessel, during the years 1781 and '82, had been unusually fortunate in her cruises in the narrow seas and the West Indies. The American privateers were also very successful; and the English actually fitted out privateers, at the close of the war, for the express purpose of recapturing American prizes.*

The English Admiral Rodney also succeeded in capturing the French fleet under the Count de Grasse, who desperately defended his vessel, the Ville de Paris, until himself and two others were the only men left standing on the upper deck, * Cooper.

174

PAY OF AMERICAN OFFICERS.

when he consented to strike. This vessel had been presented to the King of France, at the time of the Old French War, by the citizens of Paris, and had cost four millions of livres. It was the pride of the French navy. The English also captured thirty-six chests of money, and a large train of artillery, which was to have been used in an attack on Jamaica. All the settlements on the shores of Hudson's Bay, were destroyed by the French Admiral La Perouse, who took and destroyed property to the amount of five hundred thousand pounds.

In December, 1782, soon after going into winter-quarters, the officers of the army sent a deputation to Congress, with a petition and memorial upon the subject of their arrearages of pay. In October, 1780, Congress had passed an Act, granting the officers half-pay for life, after the close of the war; but nine states had omitted to ratify this grant, and it was in danger of becoming a dead letter. The officers, many of whom had exhausted their private fortunes in the service of the country, petitioned that the half-pay for life should be changed to full pay for five years, and that the arrearages should be paid. This reasonable request was not immediately complied with by Congress, and indications were apparent in the camp at Newburgh, of an approaching appeal to the fears of Congress.

Fortunately, Washington was present; and though he knew the justice of their claims, he was aware that duty to the country required the prevention of rash and disorderly measures for redress. He assembled them together, and calmly addressed them, in his usual dispassionate and sensible manner; and they were induced to wait still longer for the compliance of Congress with their demands. Washington then addressed a letter to Congress, in which he so strongly enforced the claims of the officers, that their request was granted.

Soon after, a letter from La Fayette announced a general peace, and early in April, an authentic copy of the declaration of the exchange of the preliminary articles between France and England being received, peace was proclaimed

PEACE-TROOPS DISBANDED.

175

to the army by the commander-in-chief, on the 19th of that month.

This the reader will recollect, was precisely eight years from the shedding of the first blood in the revolution, at Lexington. Large arrears were due to the army, and many apprehended that an attempt to disband them without pay would occasion a revolt. The treasury was not only empty, but the Superintendent of Finances had already expended more than his receipts justified; and before he could issue his notes for the payment of three months' wages, Congress had granted unlimited furloughs to the officers and privates engaged for the war. Much distress was felt by the officers at the prospect of being turned penniless on the world; but Washington succeeded in pacifying them. In October, a proclamation was issued by Congress, declaring that all soldiers who had engaged during the war were to be discharged, on the 3d of December. Whilst the old troops endeavoured to submit patiently to the will of Congress, several of the new levies proceeded to express, in an open and decided manner, their discontent. About eighty of this class, stationed at Lancaster, marched in a body to Philadelphia, and after being joined by several others, they took up their march to the State House, where Congress and the Executive Council were assembled, and having posted sentinels with fixed bayonets at the doors, they sent in a message, threatening vengeance if their requisitions were not complied with in twenty minutes.

After being confined three hours, the members of Congress separated, to reassemble at Princeton; and Washington immediately sent a strong detachment to Philadelphia; but the tumult had subsided before it reached the city. New York was soon after evacuated, and the Americans took possession of it, November 25th. Washington entered it on horseback, attended by Governor Clinton, and a large procession of civil and military officers and citizens. On the 4th of December, he took leave of the officers at Francis's Tavern, after which they escorted him to White Hall, where a barge carried him to Powles Hook. He proceeded to Annapolis, where Congress