- Attack on British Lines State
Historical Marker
-
Located at the Visitors Center at West Broad and
Liberty Streets in Savannah
32.07625, -81.09941
(Text)
- ATTACK ON BRITISH LINES
- OCTOBER 9, 1779
Over this ground, hallowed by the
valor and the sacrifice of the soldiery of America and of France,
was fought October 9, 1779, one of the bloodiest battles of the
Revolution when Savannah, which the British had possessed for
several months, was attacked by the combined American and French
forces.
A short distance west of this marker
stood the famous Spring Hill Redoubt and along here ran the line
of entrenchments built by the British around Savannah. After
a three weeks siege, the Allies stormed the enemy works in this
area early on October 9th.
Arrayed in the opposing armies
that day were soldiers of many lands -- American Continentals,
Grenadiers of Old France, Irishmen in the service of King Louis
XVI, Polish Lancers, French Creoles, and Negro volunteers from
Haiti, fighting for American Independence against English Redcoats,
Scotch Highlanders, Hessians, Royalist provincials from New York,
Tory militia, armed slaves, and Cherokee Indians.
After an heroic effort to dislodge
the British the Allies retired with heavy losses. Thus the siege
was lifted, and the French fleet sailed from Georgia, ending
an episode of far-reaching significance in the American Revolution.
025-10 GEORGIA HISTORICAL
COMMISSION 1952
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