9 October 1779, dawn
Savannah: Spring Hill
Against the advice of many of his officers, d’Estaing attacks on the morning of 9 October. Parts of the plan reach Prevost well in advance. Fog makes the columns aimed at the Spring Hill redoubt, on the right of the British works, lose their way in the swamps, and it is nearly daylight when they attack. D’Estaing has chosen the redoubt believing it is held only by militia. It is defended by militia riflemen and Maitland’s 71st Regiment of Foot.
Casimir Pulaski at Savannah, painting by Stanisław Kaczor-Batowski, 1931Wikimedia Commons, Stanisław Kaczor-Batowski, Public domain (Pulaski at Savannah.jpg)
The riflemen pick off the French troops in their white uniforms. D’Estaing is wounded twice, and Casimir Pulaski, leading the cavalry, is mortally wounded. A second column under the Swedish Count Curt von Stedingk reaches the last trench and plants an American flag before cross-fire drives it back. Feints against other redoubts are easily repulsed.
Sources
- Alexander A. Lawrence, Storm over Savannah (1951).
- Franklin B. Hough, The Siege of Savannah (1866).
Prev: Savannah: the siegeNext: Savannah: the repulse