Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month January 1779
By Compatriot Andrew "Andy" Stough
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR and was slightly edited by the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the CSSAR .
The outstanding event of January 1779 was the complete return of the State of Georgia to British rule. It is understandable that a British expedition arrived by sea from New York. But the question is, "How did a British force arrive from Florida"? Obviously, a short review of Florida and Georgia history was in order.
Georgia was established by a charter to General Oglethorpe in 1732. It was the last of the thirteen original colonies to be chartered and settled. Georgia's only reason for being was to protect South Carolina from invasions by the Spanish in Florida and the French from Louisiana. Savannah was the first settlement in Georgia and developed into one of the most attractive and prosperous cities in North America. Naturally, it became the capital city of the State of Georgia.
To clarify the movement of British troops from Florida in 1778, we need to go back in time. Florida was discovered and settled by Spain but was was ceded to Britain by the 1763 Treaty of Paris [French and Indian War in North America] in return for Havana. Britain, as of 1763, possessed all the territory from Canada to the tip of the Florida Cays. Britain divided Florida into East and West Florida. The two colonies remained under British rule until it was returned to Spain by the 1783 Treaty of Paris which formally gave independence to the original 13 North American colonies. They, by virtue of success in arms during the Revolution, had become the United States of America. The same treaty returned the Floridas and the strategic island of Minorca to Spain but allowed Britain to retain control of Gibraltar, the key to the Mediterranean. France, for all it's activity in the war, did not fare as well as Spain. Britain ceded only minor territories to France while retaining Canada.
After the provinces of East and West Florida were formed, British colonization began with the importation of Minorcans to work on plantations growing indigo. Colonization continued and Florida grew and prospered under British rule. Having no attachment or representation in the original 13 colonies, the people of Florida were for the most part loyal to the King of England. After the beginning of hostilities in 1775 several plans were made for the invasion of Georgia and South Carolina but none of them matured until 1778 when General Augustine Prevost led a force of 3,000 men from Florida to assist Lt. Colonel Archibald Campbell and his forces to return Georgia to British rule. General Prevost arrived too late to participate in the reduction of Savannah but on his way north he captured the town and fort at Sunbury, Georgia on January 6th. Sunbury is still on today's map, appearing on the coast about 30 miles south of Savannah. Sunbury (Pop. 0-2500) still exists as a State Historical Site.
At that time the population of Georgia was about equally divided between those loyal to the Crown and those who supported the Revolution. After the fall of Savannah and without a Continental army present in Georgia there appeared to be nothing that could be done by those siding with the Revolution. Meanwhile, Campbell's force was attracting Tories who were willing to fight for the King or to act as occupation forces for captured towns. Not tied down to Savannah, Campbell had moved north to attack Augusta; which fell in late January leaving Georgia in total possession of Britain. By the end of January the entire state was in British hands and would remain so until 1782. There would be contests for control of parts of Georgia but city of Savannah would be securely held by Britain until 1782.
It has been said that the Revolutionary War was not one war, but a collection of many wars, civil, military and naval, all within the umbrella of a common cause to obtain freedom for the individual and independence for the 13 United States from Britain. It is also noted that in a day when monarchs and despots ruled, revolutions usually resulted in a new king or prince but still an autocratic government. It is remarkable that a democracy was formed which would become the envy of the world.
After subduing the State of Georgia, Britain basically occupied it. As a side issue, there was the settlement of old scores by the Loyalists and supporters of the Revolution. The tide of war favored Loyalists who could count on Britain for supplies and military assistance.
While in the near future there would be no major battles fought, the emergence of small covert bands of patriots bedeviled British forces. With little help from Congress, the frontier, left to defend itself against the constant Anglo-Indian attacks, was a war within itself. In effect, George Rogers Clark and his one hundred fought another war. Poorly supported and equipped by it's own devices it would conquer the territory beyond the mountains, claiming it all for Virginia. Previously we have seen the Continental Army in action, but it was tied down on the Hudson river maintaining a standoff with British General Clinton. There would be no great battles by the Continental Army under Washington's direct command until Yorktown. However, Continentals were sent south where the next great theater of operations had begun with the invasion of Georgia.
The war was not entirely a land battle for Americans, Privateers and the fledgling Continental Navy in concert with the French and their privateers destroyed or captured over 3,000 British merchant vessels of all shapes and sizes before Britain would make a serious challenge for rule of the sea. The British Lion had been hurt but it was beginning to summon it's main strength by reorganizing and deployment of a larger and more effective Navy.
In France, John Paul Jones with the promise of a new and grander ship, had been ordered to turn over Ranger to his subordinate Lieutenant Simpson who was on probation because of his insubordination at Whitehaven. Jones was reluctant but with the promise of a new warship, L'Indien, a French vessel nearing completion and fitting out in Amsterdam, Jones released Simpson from parole and granted him command of Ranger. Jones was not to be given L'Indien, the Dutch Government wanted no trouble with Britain for having fitted out a ship for Jones who was Britain's nemesis at sea. Jones was left ashore with the vague promise of command of another warship. Time dragged on leaving Jones chafed and unemployed from June 1st of 1778 to January of 1779. Jones may have been a hero to everyone but the British, but France was not going to allow him to obtain a first class ship from French resources. Finally on January 10, primarily through Franklin's intervention he was presented a dilapidated old French merchantman, the Duc de Duras which he rebuilt as a vessel of war. He changed the name to the Bonhomme Richard in honor of Benjamin Franklin thereby paying homage to the man who was most responsible by his influence for transfer and refitting of the old ship.
Refitting was not easy; money was short and scrounging was the order of the day. Jones was unable to buy cannon of the right size but was given 16 new twelve pound cannon by the French Navy. These along with 12 used twelve pounders made up his main battery. Along with this he was able to obtain 6 used eighteen pounders, which along with a motley collection of smaller guns, made up his armament. The penury of congress was a sufficient burden, but diplomat Arthur Lee was the source of many rumors branding Jones as a French privateer. These rumors were detrimental to Jones getting the support that he needed. Had it not been for the influence of Benjamin Franklin and Lafayette, Jones might never have gotten to sea. Under Jones the Bonhomme Richard would have a short but momentous place in history.
Jones, as ordered, put to sea with an American squadron to engage the Royal Navy in the English Channel. It was impossible for him with one major vessel and two smaller ships to challenge the Royal Navy at it's own doorstep. Fortunately major General Lafayette returned to France on the American built frigate Alliance and through his influence Bonhomme Richard was joined by Alliance, which along with the lesser vessels would make up Jones squadron. With the enlistment of a crew of seamen of mixed nationalities Jones was finally ready to sail in May of 1779.
References: Encyclopedia Britannica; "The Revolutionary Years; "Don Higginbotham's "War of American Independence"; Christopher Ward's "War of the Revolution".
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