as a preliminary step to the conquest of Charleston, and the post,
as one of the highest honor and danger, was conferred upon Marion.*
It was not known, indeed, at what moment the gallantry of the garrison
might be put to the proof. The British were known to be making
large marine and military preparations at New York, intended,
as it was generally understood, for the south. Charleston or Savannah,
were supposed indifferently to be the places of its destination.
It might be very well supposed that the enemy would seek, at the former place,
to recover those honors of war of which its gallant defenders
had deprived him.

--
* When the British under Prevost, were in possession of
the neighboring islands, Moultrie writes, "we were apprehensive
the enemy would attempt to surprise Fort Moultrie; we, therefore,
always kept a strong garrison there under General Marion."
--

But, any doubt as to the destination of the British fleet was soon removed.
In December, 1778, thirty-seven sail appeared before Savannah,
and four thousand British regulars were disembarked. The American force
left in defence of Savannah was a feeble one, of six or seven hundred men,
under General Howe. General Howe was but little of a soldier.
Instead of withdrawing this force, he suffered it to be sacrificed.
Badly posted, he was surprised, and his troops beaten and dispersed
with little difficulty. Savannah fell at once into the hands of the enemy,
and the whole colony very shortly after. General Prevost
was in command of the British. Opposed to him was Major-General Lincoln,
of the Continental army. While Prevost occupied the posts of Savannah,
Ebenezer, Abercorn, and other places, he was active in pushing select parties