a large store of provisions, and the capital of the state fell into the hands of the victors. The defenceless inhabitants were bayoneted in the streets, and the remnant of the troops escaped to South Carolina. About this time, Sunbury fell into the hands of general Prescott, who marched to Savannah, and took command of the royal army. The inhabitants were directed to lay down their arms, or use them in support of the royal cause.

On the 25th of September, general Lincoln was appointed to the command of the southern army, but he did not arrive at Charleston until the 4th of December. He was joined by general Ashe and Rutherford, with about two thousand North Carolina militia, destined to act in defence of South Carolina. As Georgia was the point of attack, general Lincoln raised something less than a thousand men, and joined the remains of the troops under colonel Elbert, establishing his head quarters at Purysburg. Here he found himself at the head of but fourteen hundred men, and even this small force destitute of arms, cannon, tents, and almost of powder and lead. The militia of South Carolina were without discipline or subordination, and on the 24th of January, 1779, they had generally returned to their homes. About eleven hundred militia from North Carolina supplied their place, and the whole force was about twenty four hundred.

General Prescott had taken possession of Port Royal Island, South Carolina, and general Moultrie, at the head of the Charleston militia, attacked the island, dislodged the enemy, and compelled the colonel to retire into Georgia, with much loss. He took post at Augusta, and by fomenting divisions, and encouraging insurrections, caused much distress. But a party from the district of Ninety-six, under colonel Pickens, pursued the banditti, which they overtook, routed, killed, or dispersed, and their leader, colonel Boyd, was slain. The remainder threw themselves on the clemency of the state. Seventy were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, but the sentence was executed on five of the principals only, and the remainder were pardoned.

General Lincoln determined to dislodge the enemy

from Georgia, and directed general Williamson to take a strong position near Augusta, to watch the motions of colonel Campbell, and general Ashe, was ordered to the support of general Williamson, with about two thousand men. On receiving the intelligence of this junction, the British retired about fourteen miles down the river. Measures were concerted by the American generals, and the plan of operations settled.

About this time, colonel Provost gained the rear of the American camp by a circuitous march, and commenced a furious attack. The continentals advanced to the charge, to check the invaders; but the militia were panic struck, and flight ensued. The regulars under general Elbert were cut to pieces, and the militia, under general Ashe, never returned. Americans lost, one hundred and fifty killed, and one hundred and sixty-two captured. The wounded not numbered. About four hundred and fifty rejoined general Lincoln. Georgia now belonged to the enemy, and a free communication was opened with the tories of South Carolina.

In this state of alarm, John Rutledge was appointed governor of the state, and to him and the council was given a dictatorial power. A large body of militia was assembled at Orangeburg, near the centre of the state, to act as might be required. General Williamson sent parties into Georgia to distress and plunder the enemy. On this, general Lincoln remarked to the governor, that the innocent and the guilty, the aged and infirm, women and children, would be equally exposed to the effects of this order. General Lincoln, was now reinforced at his camp, Black swamp, and advanced into Georgia, leaving a strong guard under general Moultrie, at Purysburg. Prescott permitted the Americans to advance one hundred and fifty miles, that he might surprise general Moul trie. Moultrie eluded the attack, by a change of position.

General Lincoln, learning the movements of Prescott, moved by forced marches in support of Moultrie, and to cover Charleston. The governor took alarm by the movements of Prescott, and destroyed the suburbs, thas he might guard against the advance of the enemy.

The

neighbouring militia were called in to join his troops in defence of Charleston.

On the 11th, general Prescott crossed the ferry, and appeared before Charleston, on which day the count Pulaski arrived, and entered into the defence of this city with spirit. The object of general Prescott was, to carry the town before general Lincoln could arrive, and his operations were conducted with such vigour, that the civil authority sent out the following proposition.

"South Carolina will remain in a state of neutrality till the close of the war, and then follow the fate of her neighbors, on condition, the royal army withdraw." To which general Prescott replied: "The garrison are in arms, and they shall surrender prisoners of war."

Before general Prescott could accomplish any thing of importance, general Lincoln arrived, and the enemy withdrew to Beaufort, and thence to Georgia. Plunder and devastation marked its steps. Slaves to the number of three thousand were taken, and sent for sale to the West Indies.

An expedition was fitted out by Sir Henry Clinton, under Sir George Collier and general Matthews, from New-York, who took possession of Portsmouth and the remains of Norfolk, in Virginia, in May, 1779. On the same day, a detachment was sent to Suffolk, and destroyed provisions, naval stores, and vessels, leaving the town in ashes, and gentlemen's seats, as well as plantations were burnt and ravaged. On the coast, the same ravages were committed by the fleet. About one hundred and thirty vessels were destroyed or captured, with about three thousand hogsheads of tobacco.

About this time a succssful attempt was made against Stoney Point and Verplank, by Sir Henry Clinton, after which he went forward to the Highlands.

Previous to these operations, sir Henry Clinton had concerted measures with the tories and British under his command, to assume a general system of predatory war in America, and submitted his plans to the British ministry, who expressed their approbation. This plan soon reached the American commission at Paris, and was com

municated to governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, on the 6th of April, 1779.

Sir Henry Clinton detached general Tryon, (late gov ernor of New-York) with 2600 land forces, protected by a squadron under sir George Collier, and supported by general Garth, to begin their depredations in Connecticut. On the 4th of July, the armament moved into the sound, and the commanders issued their proclamation to the citizens of Connecticut, offering pardon and protection to all such as would return to their allegiance; but threatening ruin and destruction to all who should reject this overture. On the morning of the 6th, generai Tryon landed his division at East-Haven; general Garth landed at the same time, at West-Haven, and proceeded directly to New-Haven, and gave up the town to promiscuous pillage. The militia collected so fast on the next day, that the enemy abandoned the town in haste; burnt several stores on long wharf, and embarked their troops.

The infamous Tryon next proceeded to the plunder of East-Haven, and then sailed for Feirfield. The town and vicinity were laid in ruins, and the enemy embarked for Norwalk, which was next laid in ashes. He then returned to New-York.

In this incursion, four houses for public worship, near one hundred dwellings, eighty barns, about thirty stores, seventeen shops, four mills, and five vessels were burnt. And in addition to this destruction of property, the greatest acts of brutality were perpetrated. Women were insulted and abused, while their apparel was robbed, and desks, trunks, and closets were rifled.

But a plan was concerted by general Washington, which kept in check this hero of rapine and conflagration. This plan issued in the capture of Stoney Point, on the Hudson.

General Wayne commenced his movements against Stoney Point, on the 15th, at noon; and after having crossed the mountains, through dangerous and difficult defiles, he approached the fort, about eight of the same evening. Having reconnoitered the position of the enemy, the general put himself at the head of his brave troops, and at twenty minutes past twelve precisely, on

The arrival of the fleet under the chevalier Ternay, at Rhode Island, gave Admiral Arbuthnot considerable alarm. His whole force amounted to but four ships of the line. But he was joined by Admiral Graves, with six line of battle ships, and felt himself secure from attack in New York. With this reinforcement, sir Henry concerted an attack on the French fleet at Newport, and immediately embarked eight thousand troops. The fleet put into Huntington bay on Long Island. The country was alarmed, and the militia turned out in force. But general Washington made a diversion, by moving his whole force down to Kingsbridge, and threatening New York. The plan succeeded, and sir Henry returned to New York in haste.

In the south lord Cornwallis, having settled the gov-. ernment of South Carolina; prepared to subdue the rebellious spirit of the North Carolinians. This was seen by the Americans, and general Gates, with his shadow of an army, moved across Deep River, on the 27th of July, to watch the motions of the enemy. On the 6th of August, he was joined by general Caswell, at the head of a fine body of North Carolina militia, who were in good spirits, but under bad discipline; and he encamped at the Cross Roads, on his way to Camden. On the 13th, he moved forward his army to Clermont, where he was joined by brigadier-general Stevens, with about seven hundred Virginia militia. An express also arrived, informing him that colonel Sumpter would join him at Camden with a detachment of South Carolina militia, and that an escort of clothing, ammunition and stores, was on its way from Charleston to Camden, for the use of the garrison posted there.

General Gates immediately detached lieutenant-colonel Woodford, at the head of the Maryland line, consisting of one hundred infantry, a company of artillery, with two brass field pieces, and about three hundred North Carolina militia to join colonel Sumpter, reduce the forts, and intercept the convoy. General Gates prepared to support colonel Sumpter with his whole force; total about four thousand.

But Cornwallis had anticipated this movement, and en