Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month June 1780
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
After the fall of Charleston, Britain was, (nominally) in total control of the southern colonies. In the cities and larger towns of the Carolinas and Georgia there was authority and law but outside the towns there was no law. This allowed civil war between Loyalists and Patriots to continue apace. Actually it was more than a civil war and a war to control the area because it was an opportunity for neighbors of both persuasions to extend their holdings and possessions at the expense of anyone incapable of holding their own possessions. Even more it was an opportunity for revenge for an affront of any sort; or at least what the aggressor saw as an affront, or perhaps simply a dislike due to race, creed or national origin.
In 1780, Britain was willing to burn out, kill or imprison any who were obviously rebels, including whole towns and the inhabitants thereof. This was a different situation, previously such action was taken against a town or city where it was known or thought to be in league with or sympathetic to the Rebel Cause. To begin with, the three colonies(North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia) were too vast and there was not enough personnel to police the entire area at one time. Second, there was no distinguishing who was really loyal to the king or was a Rebel in Tory clothing. Third, depopulation of the southern colonies would leave Britain with a wild and useless territory; inviting Indians to fill the void. If the problem was not solved it appeared that communal war between the inhabitants would in it’s self and without Britain’s help depopulate the countryside.
The problem apparently was solved by the appearance of organized bands of Patriots using guerilla tactics to restore a balance of power and put an end to internecine warfare. The guerillas' chief weapon was their irregular nature; devoid of logistical problems they could strike anywhere and at any time. Their underlying and enduring strength was an undying belief in the idea of freedom and the will and stamina to continue the fight over a prolonged period of time.
By June of 1780 General George Washington was still encamped at Morristown. Food and clothing were still scarce and the dollar so devalued that it was worthless to purchase supplies. On June 8th British Commander-in-Chief General Henry Clinton turned over control of the southern army to General Charles Earl Cornwallis; returning to New York with 4,000 men. When informed that Washington had only 4,000 ragged and starving soldiers at his disposal he decided that he could, with impunity, take some actions against the. Continentals.
June 23rd saw an engagement at Springfield, New Jersey occurring between Continentals under General Nathanael Greene and British regular and Tory forces. The Springfield engagement was preceded by a British feint up the Hudson River, which was designed to draw Washington away from the real target, Elizabethtown, New Jersey. While Washington’s force was drawn away to counter Clinton, British General Wilhelm von Knyphausen moved from Staten Island toward Elizabethtown. General Nathaniel Greene (left at Morristown to cope with any new events in the area) learned of the British movement from Staten Island towards Elizabethtown. Greene immediately moved to block Knyphausen who divided his forces, sending a column against Greene to create a diversion while a second column moved to cross the Vauxhall Bridge over the Rahway River in an effort to encircle the Americans. Greene, outnumbered, withdrew to defensible high ground. Well established in that position he sent reinforcements to the Vauxhall Bridge where the second column was stopped.
The British incursion had been effectively contested by militia all the way to the meeting of the two major forces. Knyphausen realized that even if he could defeat Greene, his march would again be contested by militia all the way to Elizabethtown and the return to Staten Island. Deciding that the prize was not worth the price and with the operation at a stalemate, Knyphausen, wanting to prevent any stigma of a defeat, loitered several days before returning to Staten Island.
We find John Paul Jones still in Paris trying to obtain a mission and ships from the French. He was also working to obtain the back pay owed the crew as well as the sale or auction of prizes of war taken at sea. He could have returned to Lorient and Alliance as early as May when Alliance was ready to put to sea. However, filled with grander ideas and a full social calendar Jones found excuse after excuse to remain in Paris.
Meanwhile Arthur Lee and Landais, schemed to ruin Jones and humiliate Franklin. The delay gave them ample time to start rumors of Jones leading a profligate life in Paris. Alliance crew, still unpaid could only remain aboard where they were at least fed and housed. While this may have kept body and soul together it also allowed ample opportunity for the crew to stew about their ill treatment made especially bitter by the tales of Jones dalliance with the courtesans of the French Court. Landais and Lee easily convinced the crew that Jones during his long sojourn in Paris had not been laboring on their, or Alliance behalf. Rumor also had it that Jones had conspired with the French government to cheat the crew of their pay, as well as their share in the sale of Serapis, and the other prizes of war; none of which was true. Credence was given to this rumor by the sight of Serapis being dismantled before their very eyes with no evidence of an auction or sale. This was the last straw; the crew now believed the rumors that Jones had led the good life at their expense.
On June 1st a note came ordering him to sail for America at once. Jones returned to Lorient on June 9th to find Landais in command of Alliance. Landais had taken command depending upon a document (drawn by and supported by Lee, an acknowledged diplomat.) which stated that Landais had been placed in command of Alliance by Congress and no one but Congress could countermand that commission. With that convincing document and no one to refute it, port authorities accepted Landais as the legal captain. Not only did Jones find Landais in command but even those seamen and officers who had fought for him so valiantly at sea were no longer willing to serve under him.
Jones went aboard, only to learn firsthand of this serious but not disastrous turn of events. Critics have stated that Jones should, in his usual aggressive manner, have thrown Landais off the ship and retaken command. The crew might have been reluctant to serve but with Franklin’s backing and his influence at the Royal Court they would have yielded before performing an act of mutiny by refusing to sail under Jones. Once at sea their old relationship would have returned. Jones after 3 days (June 12) left the ship, thereby appearing to renounce any claim to command. Which might have been true, Jones still believed that he could lead an American-French task force against the British Isles. Beside which, a voyage across the Atlantic with Landais and Lee as passengers combined with a mixed crew, some loyal to Landais, some angry at Jones and a few still loyal Jones supporters would be a nightmare
Beyond all other troubles there was the matter of "Commodore" Gillan who had obtained L’Indien the Holland built ship promised to Jones but denied him by the Dutch government. Gillan planned to benefit from Jones' problems by obtaining sailors from the disgruntled crew of Alliance.
Jones, who was once so honored that the entire world knew of his greatness now lost much acclaim and prestige due to his misadventures in Paris and Lorient. He would never return to his original favor in the sight of the general public. However, he would be revered at a later time as one of America’s greatest captains. More of the Jones trials and tribulations at a later date.
Note:TheCross Creek battle site is given by Ward as present day Fayetteville, NC.
References: Schlessinger’s “Almanac of American History”; Wards “The War of the Revolution”; Morison’s “John Paul Jones”; Lancaster’s “The American Revolution.”
References: Christopher Ward’s "The War of the American Revolution";Arthur Meier Schlesinger's "The Almanac of American History";Bruce Lancaster’s "The American Revolution"; Robert Lawson's "The American Revolution" .
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