you I must observe to you alfo, how important it is that fhould be fully aware of your own fituation, as well as of that of the troops under your command. Be affured that I am thoroughly acquainted with it. Your knowledge of military affairs will not fuffer you to be ignorant, that a due examination of that circumftance always precedes the march of the columns; and that this preliminary is not carried into execution by a mere fhew of troops. I have ordered them to withdraw before night comes on, to prevent any cause of complaint on your part. I understand that my civility in this respect has been the occafion that the Chevalier de Combis, a lieutenant in the navy, has been made a prisoner of war. I propose sending out fome small advanced pofts to-morrow morning, they will place themselves in fuch a fituation as to have in view the four entrances into the wood, in order to prevent a fimilar miftake in future. I do not know whether two columns commanded by the Viscount de Noailles and the Count de Dillon have shewn too much ardour, or whether your Cannoniers have not paid a proper respect to the truce fubfifting between us; but this I know, that what has happened this night is a fresh proof that matters will foon come to a decifion between us one way or another. I have the honour to be, with respect, &c. ESTAING. His Excellency General Prevost, Major General in the fervice of his Britannic Majefty, and Commander in Chief at Savannah in Georgia, (No. 6.)-Copy of a letter from Major General Prevoft to Count d'Estaing, dated Savannah, Sept. 17, 1779. SIR, In answer to the letter of your Excellency, which I had the honour to receive about twelve last night. I am to acquaint you, that having laid the whole correfpondence before the King's civil Governor, and the military officers of rank, affembled in council of war, the unanimous determination has been, that though we cannot look upon our poft as abfolutely inexpugnable, yet that it may and ought to be defended; therefore the evening gun, to be fired this evening an hour before fun-down, shall be the fignal for recommencing hoftilities agreeable to your Excellency's propofal. I have the honour to be, (Signed) His Excellency Count d'Estaing, &c. &c. &c. A. PREVOST. (No. 7.)-Copy of a letter from Count d'Estaing and General Lincoln to Major General Prevoft, dated Camp before Savannah, October 6, 1779. SIR, We are perfuaded that your Excellency knows all that your duty prescribes-perhaps your zeal has already interfered with your judgment. The Count d'Estaing, in his own name, notified to you, that you would be perfonally and alone refponfible for the confequences of your obstinacy. The time which you informed him, in the com, mencement of the fiege, would be neceffary for the arrangement of articles, including the different orders of men in your town, had no other object than that of receiving fuccour. Such conduct, Sir, is fufficient to forbid every intercourfe between us which might occafion the least loss of time. Befides in the present application, latent reasons may again exift.-There are military ones, which in frequent inftances have prevented the indulgence you request. It is with regret we yield to the aufterity of our functions; and we deplore the fate of thofe perfons who will be the victims of your conduct, and the delufion which appears to prevail in your mind. We are with respect, &c. &c. B. LINCOLN. (No. 8.)-Copy of a letter from Major General Prevost to Count d'Estaing, dated Camp, Savannah, October 6, 1779. SIR, I am perfuaded your Excellency will do me juftice; and that in defending this place and the army committed to my charge, I fulfil what is due to honour, and duty to my prince. Sentiments of a different kind occafion the liberty of now addreffing myself to your Excellency; they are thofe of bumanity. The houses of Savannah are occupied folely by women and children. Several of them have applied to me, that I might requeft the favour you would allow them to embark on board a fhip or hips, and go down the river under the protection of yours, until this bufinefs is decided. If this requifition you are fo good to grant, my wife and children, with a few fervants, fhall be the firft to profit by the indulgence. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. Note 146. Return of Cafualties in the different Corps during the fiege. 16th regiment-2 rank and file deferted. 60th ditto-4 rank and file killed; 1 ferjeant, 6 rank and file wounded; 2 ferjeants, 5 rank and file deferted. Ift battalion 71ft-2 Lieutenants, I ferjeant, 6 rank and file killed; 17 rank and file wounded; I rank and file miffing; 1 rank and file deferted. 2d battalion 71ft-1 rank and file killed; 1 Lieutenant, 4 rank and file wounded; 3 rank and file deferted. Trumbach-4 rank and file wounded. Weffenbach- 5 rank and file killed; I drummer, 2 rank and file wounded; 2 rank and file deferted. New York Volunteers-1 ferjeant killed; 1 ferjeant, 2 rank and file wounded; I drummer miffing; I rank and file deserted. ift battalion de Lancy-2 rank and file killed; 3 rank and file wounded; 1 ferjeant, 7 rank and file deferted. 2d battalion de Lancy-1 Enfign killed; I drummer, I rank and file miffing; I drummer, 2 rank and file deserted. 3d battalion Skinner's-1 ferjeant killed; 1 Captain wounded; I drummer, I rank and file deferted. South Carolina Royalifts-4 rank and file killed; I Captain wounded. North Carolina Volunteers-I rank and file deserted. King's Rangers-1 rank and file killed; 1 rank and file wounded; 5 rank and file deserted. Georgia Loyalists-1 Captain, 1 ferjeant, 2 rank and file killed; 2 ferjeants, I rank and file deferted. Marines-2 rank and file killed; 6 ditto wounded. Royal Artillery-2 rank and file wounded. Seamen-2 rank and file killed; 9 rank and file wounded. Georgia Militia-4 rank and file killed; 1 Lieutenant wounded. Total-1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, I Enfign, 4 ferjeants, 32 rank and file killed. 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 ferjeants, 1 drummer, 56 rank and file wounded. 2 drummers, 2 rank and file miffing. 5 ferjeants, 2 drummers, 41 rank and file deferted. Names of Officers killed. Lieut. Henry M'Pherfon, 1ft battalion 71ft-24th of September. Lieutenant Taws of ditto, and Captain-Lieutenant of Dragoons, 9th of October. Captain Simpfon, Georgia Loyalifts-8th of October. Names of Officers wounded. Captain Cozens, 3d battalion Jersey Volunteers-24th of Sept. Lieut. Smallet Campbell, 2d battalion 71ft, and Lieutenant of Dragoons-9th of October. Captain Henry of South Carolina Royalists-9th of October. (Signed) A. PREVOST, M. G. Camp, Savannah, Oct. 18, 1779. A A return of Mafters, Mates, and men of the Tranfports, who were at the batteries during the Siege. MASTERS. John Wilson, Archibald M'Curdy, John Higgins, Arthur Ryburn, Chriftopher Watfon, John Tate. James M'Donald, Coward, MATES. Stele, John Chapman, James Ryburn Harrifon.-87 Seamen. Note 147. Lift of the Squadron at Newfoundland, under Note 148. Lift of his Majefty's Fleet under the command of Robert Duff, Efq. Vice-Admiral of the Red, in the Medi Note 149. Lift of fhips of War with Admiral Arbuthnot. With the above fleet went four battalions of Infantry, and recruits for the army, making between eight and nine thoufand men. Note Note 150. Lift of the Naval Force fent to the relief of the ifland of Jerfey, and the manner in which it was divided when in pursuit of the French Fleet. Leith, Hearts Oak,} armed Hearts of Oak, S fhips. S 20 Divifion under Captain Sir James Wallace. 20 P. Rothe. W. Redman. MY LORD, Ifland of Jerfey, May 2d, 1779. Yesterday morning at day-break, a French Fleet, confifting of two large frigates of about 44 guns, a leffer of 28, and another which I imagine was a St Malo privateer of 18 or 20 guns, with five cutters, two prahms, and a number of fmall craft, amounting in the whole from 55 to 60 fail, appeared off St Helier's bay, but being fufficiently near to obferve that the alarm was given to the island, they food to the weftward, until paffing the Point de la Corbiere, when they hauled for St Owen's bay, and having got far enough in, they arranged themselves, in order to make a descent, apparently near La Rocco, but whether awed by St Peter's Bulwark, and the Tower near it, with the difpofition to receive them, I cannot fay, but they moved more northerly, and it was evident their determined fpot was towards the centre of the bay, where the Prahms and Cutters, as foon as they found their fhot reach the fhore, anchored, (the Frigates, on account of the shoalness of the water keeping in the offing) and began playing upon our batteries to cover the landing, which being returned, and the Battalion field pieces being by this time come up, which also began to play, and the troops, amounting to about 3000 men, arranged in a line under cover of the fand-hills, ready to advance |