On the 22nd of June a Council of Safety, consisting of William Ewen, President; Seth John Cuthbert, Secretary; Joseph Habersham, Edward Telfair, William LeConte, Basil Cowper, Joseph Clay, George Walton, John Glenn, Samuel Elbert, William Young, Elisha Butler, George Houston, John Smith, Francis H. Harris and John Morel was appointed.

    The Provincial Congress met in Tondee's Long Room on the 4th of July, of which Archibald Bulloch was elected President and George Walton Secretary. Archibald Bulloch, Noble Wimberly Jones, Joseph Habersham, Jonathan Bryan, Ambrose Wright, William Young, John Glenn, Samuel Elbert, John Houston, Joseph Reynolds, John Smith, Oliver Bowen, John McClure, Edward Telfair, Thomas Lee, George Houston, William Ewen, John Martin, Rev. Dr. J. J. Zubly, William Bryan, Phillip Box, Philip Allman, William O'Bryan, Joseph Clay and John Cuthbert were the members from the town and district of Savannah. After organizing, Congress adjourned to the meeting house of Rev. Dr. Zubly, where he preached a sermon upon the "alarming state of American affairs," based on the words of St. James, ii, 12: "So speak ye, and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." The Dr. received the thanks of Congress for "the excellent sermon he preached before them." ¹

    Congress being informed that forty armed men in barges, under command of Captains John Barnwell and Joyner, had been sent to the mouth of the Savannah river, by South Carolina, to capture a British ship which was on its way to Savannah, laden with powder for the use of the Royalists, offered them every assistance. A schooner was armed and placed under command of Captains Bowen and Joseph Habersham for the purpose of capturing a British armed schooner then in the river near town. On the approach of the Georgia schooner the British schooner put to sea and escaped. The Georgia schooner then laid off Tybee, near which were the two South Carolina barges. On the 10th of July the ship with the powder, commanded by Captain Maitland, was descried in the offing, sailing boldly in. Before getting in range of the Georgia schooner Maitland's suspicions were aroused, and he tacked and put out to sea. He was pursued by the schooner, and with the assistance of the South Carolinians his vessel was captured. On board were sixteen thousand pounds of powder, nine thousand pounds of which fell to Georgia. This schooner was the first commissioned American vessel, and made the first capture of the war.

    The battalion of troops for the protection of Georgia was organized in Savannah on the 7th of January, 1776 by the appointment of Lachlan McIntosh Colonel, Samuel Elbert Lieutenant-Colonel, and Joseph Habersham Major. These appointments were made by the Council of Safety, which met every Monday at Tondee's Long Room, at 10 A. M. and at such other times as occasion required.

    On the 12th of January two men-of-war and a transport laden with troops, under command of Majors Maitland and Grant, arrived off Tybee. A meeting of the Council of Safety was called on the 18th, when it was resolved "that the persons of his Excellency Sir James Wright, Bart., and of John Mullryne, Josiah Tatnall, and Anthony Stokes, Esqs. Be forthwith arrested and secured, and that all non-associates be forthwith disarmed, except those who will give their parole, assuring that they will not aid, assist, or comfort any of the persons on board his Majesty's ships-of-war, or take up arms against America in the present unhappy state of affairs". Major Joseph Habersham, who was then only twenty-four years of age, volunteered to secure the Governor. That evening while the Governor was in consultation with the Council at his house, Habersham proceeded thither alone, passed the sentinels at the door, entered the hall in which the Council was assembled, walked boldly up to the head of the table, and laying his hand upon the Governor's shoulder said: "Sir James, you are my prisoner". This bold act astonished the members of the Council, who, supposing from Habersham's firm manner he had a large force near by, fled precipitately through the doors and windows. The Governor gave his solemn parole that he would not go out of town or hold any communication with the British at Tybee, and was allowed to remain in his house under guard. Here he remained until the 11th of February, when, becoming weary of the confinement, the insults to which he was subjected by thoughtless persons, and also fearing that he would be killed by some of the many musket balls fired into the house by the guards for amusement, he eluded the sentinels and ran to Bonaventure, escaping from thence in a small boat, furnished by John Mullryne, to the British ship Scarborough, on board of which he was received at three o'clock on the morning of the 12th. The following day the Governor wrote a letter to the members of his Council, all of whom had given the required parole, desiring it to be laid before the Provincial Congress. In this letter, he, among other things, stated:

    Such is my regard for the people of Georgia that I can not avoid exhorting them to save themselves and their posterity from the total ruin and destruction which, although they may not, I most clearly see at the threshold of their doors, and I can not leave them with again warning them in the most earnest and friendly manner to desist from their present plans and resolutions.

    I have the great satisfaction to be able to affirm, from the best authority, that the forces now here will not commit any hostilities against this Province, although fully sufficient to reduce and overcome every opposition that could be attempted to be made; and that nothing is meant or wanted but a friendly intercourse and a supply of provisions. This his Majesty's officers have an undoubted right to effect and what they insist upon, and this I not only solemnly require, in his Majesty's name, but also as (probably) the best friend the people of Georgia have, advise them, without the least hesitation, to comply with; or it may not be in my power to insure them the continuance of the peace and quietude they now have, if it may be called so.

    The request for provisions was promptly refused, and Captain Barclay, commanding the British vessels, being very much in need, determined to capture the eleven rice ships which lay under the bluff awaiting an opportunity to run out to sea. Accordingly, on the last day of February, 1776, the Scarborough, Hinchinbrooke, and St. John, with two transports laden with troops, sailed up to Five-fathom Hole, opposite the point on which Fort Jackson now stands.

    Anticipating a speedy attack, the Council of Safety met on the 2nd of March and appointed Messrs. Joseph Clay, Joseph Reynolds, John McClure, Joseph Dunlap and John Glenn a committee "to value and appraise the houses in town and hamlets thereunto belonging, together with the shipping in the port, the property of or appertaining to the friends of America who have associated and appeared, or who shall appear in the present alarm to defend the same; and also the houses of the widows and orphans, and none others". It was also resolved to defend the town "so long as it was tenable, and that rather than it should be held by the enemy it and the shipping in the port should be burned". The houses of those inimical to the American cause were not valued. When the resolutions were promulgated, they met the hearty approval of all classes excepting a small number who were friendly to the Royal cause.

    After dark on the 2d two of the enemy's vessels sailed up Back river. The Scarborough anchored opposite the town and the Hinchinbrooke attempted to sail around Hutchinson's island with a view of coming down the Savannah river to the rice vessels. In this effort she ran aground on the west side of the island, and was unable to get off. The eleven rice vessels were laying under the bluff, but that evening, for some reason which was never fully ascertained but it was supposed that the captains had been bought with British gold, moved over near to the Hutchinson island shore opposite Yamacraw. Every preparation for resisting the enemy was made by Colonel Lachlan McIntosh, acting under orders of the Council of Safety. Suspecting the captains, and fearing that they might be induced to run their vessels out to sea, he ordered Captain Rice to go aboard of the vessels early the next morning and order the rudders and rigging to be sent on shore. The fort on the lower end of the bluff was strengthened and reinforced, and was deemed sufficiently powerful to repulse any attempt of the enemy to advance up the river. Major Habersham was ordered to take two companies of riflemen and proceed up the river opposite to the Hinchinbrooke and be ready to fire upon her at early dawn.

    During the night about three hundred British soldiers landed on Hutchinson's island from the vessels in Back river and marched across and took possession of the rice vessels. This was done so quietly that the Americans knew nothing of it. Early on the 3d Captain Rice went over in a small boat to deliver the order given him and was taken prisoner. Two sailors were allowed by Majors Maitland and Grant, commanding the troops aboard of the rice vessels, to come over to town to get some clothing which they said had been left, they agreeing to go and return without communicating any information regarding the operations on the island side of the river. They were not true to their promise. They not only did not return, but told the Americans that the British had possession of the vessels and had captured Captain Rice. This was astounding news to the Americans and created intense excitement. All of the males were immediately mustered under arms, and three hundred men under Colonel McIntosh proceeded to Yamacraw and threw up a breastwork and placed three four-pounders in position. ² Before this the riflemen under Habersham opened fire upon the Hinchinbrooke, which had floated off and was making another attempt to sail down. The tide was low and she made slow progress; besides this, the fire from the riflemen so galled the crew that they were driven below and did not attempt to manage the vessel. She was armed with twenty-eight guns; and at intervals the crew manned them and endeavored, by a free use of grape, to drive off their assailants, but of no avail. The riflemen protected themselves and fired with such accuracy as to kill and wound a number of the crew, and finally caused them to desist from their object. The lack of boats, only, prevented the riflemen from boarding and capturing her. Only one rifleman was injured by her fire, a small shot having struck him in the thigh.

    Meanwhile the people and soldiers in town became clamorous for the rescue of Rice. Lieutenant Daniel Roberts, of the St. Johns Rangers, and Mr. Raymond Demere (afterward promoted to the rank of Major), of St. Andrew's parish, requested and were granted permission to go over and demand the surrender of the captain. They left their weapons and were rowed over by a negro. They landed on one of the vessels, aboard of which were Majors Grant and Maitland and Captain Barclay. They stated the object of their mission. The British officers, without making any reply, placed them under arrest. The Americans awaited nearly an hour for the return of their deputies and then called through trumpets to the British to know why they were detained. The British returned insulting replies; whereupon two cannon shots were fired at them. This had the effect of making them send a letter over, signed by Roberts and Demere, stating that the enemy "would treat with any two people the Americans confided in". Without waiting for the action of the authorities, Captain Screven, of the St. Johns Rangers, and Captain Baker, of the St. Johns Riflemen, with about a dozen riflemen, rowed over to the Captain Inglis and peremptorily demanded the surrender of Rice, Robert and Demere. The officer commanding the vessel made an insulting reply, and received a rifle shot from Captain Baker. The enemy immediately opened upon the boat with cannon and musketry. The riflemen also fired, at the same time hauling off. Their friends on the bluff, observing this attack upon a few men and also the perilous position they were in, opened on the vessels. A general engagement ensued, lasting four hours, during which no one was hurt on the American side, excepting a rifleman in the boat, who was wounded in the shoulder by the first fire from the vessel. At four o'clock the Council of Safety met and resolved to have the vessels across the river burned. Captain Bowen was ordered by Colonel McIntosh to attend to this duty. He, assisted by Lieutenants James Jackson and John Morel, took the Inverness, which lay on this side of the river laden with rice and deer skins, and set fire to her. She drifted across to the rice vessels and communicated the fire to some of them. The enemy, however, did not wait for her approach, but left the vessels and ran into the marsh in laughable confusion. The Americans fired upon them and killed and wounded a great number. The crews of two of the vessels remained on board and managed to escape the fire-vessel and sailed up the river under the protection of the men-of-war. Six were destroyed by the fire and three saved from the flames and brought over to the town side. The British sailed down to Tybee the next day, carrying with them Rice, Roberts and Demere. In order to recover them, the Council of Safety seized all members of the Royal Council then in Savannah and offered them in exchange. The offer was accepted and on the 27th of March the prisoners were restored to their friends.

    On the 8th of August the Declaration of Independence was received in Savannah and was promulgated on the 11th by Archibald Bulloch, President of the Executive Committee of Georgia, in front of the Assembly Rooms, at the Liberty Pole, and at the battery. The troops were paraded and a salute of thirteen guns was fired after each reading. Late in the day a dinner was partaken of by the soldiers and citizens, after which a funeral procession was formed - the soldiers with arms reversed and muffled drums - and marched to the front of the courthouse, where the political existence of George III was interred, the following funeral discourse being delivered:

    Forasmuch as George III, of Great Britain, hath most flagrantly violated his coronation oath, and trampled upon the constitution of our country and the sacred rights of mankind, we therefore commit his political existence to the ground - corruption to corruption - tyranny to the grave - and oppression to eternal infamy, in the sure and certain hope that he will never obtain a resurrection to rule again over these United States of America. But, my friends and fellow citizens, let us not be sorry, as men without hope, for TYRANTS that thus depart - rather let us remember America is free and independent; that she is, and will be, with the blessing of the Almighty, GREAT among the nations of the earth. Let this encourage us in well-doing, to fight for our rights and privileges, for our wives and children, for all that is near and dear unto us. May God give us his blessing and all the people say AMEN.

    A few days after the celebration a convention met in Savannah to form a State constitution, which was done. It was adopted on the 5th of February, 1777.

    In January of 1777 William H. Drayton, who had been sent by the Assembly of South Carolina to treat with the Georgia Congress of an union between Georgia and South Carolina, which the Assembly of the latter province had resolved "would tend effectually to promote their strength, wealth, and dignity, and to secure their liberty, independence, and safety," arrived in Savannah, "and found", as he afterward wrote, "every gentleman in public office was strongly against an union", but a number of "gentlemen of fortune, not in office or convention, who heartily approved the measure". The advantages which would accrue to Savannah were nearly altogether spoken of by the Commissioner before the Convention, and led many to believe that the annexation of Savannah with South Carolina was more desired than the rest of the province. The Commissioner thus spoke:

    The town of Savannah in particular, and the adjacent lands, would be of much more importance and value, because Savannah river would be immediately cleared, a measure that would encourage and occasion an immense increase of agriculture upon all land within reach of its navigation, all of which would center in Savannah. Thus, in a state of separation from South Carolina, Savannah could reasonably expect, and that but by slow degrees, and at a distant day, only the one half of the produce of a well-improved cultivation of the lands on the Savannah river, but by an union she would, in a very short time, receive the whole of that improved cultivation and trade, and her own commerce would b e increased almost beyond imagination, although she would lose the seat of government. Finally, I may add, that in a state of separation, in all probability, Savannah will be ruined, because it will be our interest to preserve our trade to our own people. A town will rise on the Carolina side of the Savannah river, which will be sure to preserve our half of the trade of that river, and by being wisely supported it may draw to it the other half also; and let it not be said, we can not find a situation for a town, because it ought to be remembered that history is full of instances of towns having been built and made to flourish in situations that had been deemed impracticable for such purposes. Rivers and lands make wealthy towns, for these are natural causes; the presence and expense of a few officers of Government are but drops of water in the ocean; these go but a little way toward filling a Government port with loaded ships. The principal materials for the building of such towns are policy and opulence; I thank God, Carolina is not known to be in want of either.

    The proposed annexation was refused.³ No town has risen to compete with Savannah, but the trade and commerce which was coveted has increased, the town has prospered, and now ranks the first city in beauty, and in point of wealth, refinement, and commerce among the first cities of the United States.

    In the fall of 1778 Colonel McIntosh, who had been left in command of the town after the repulse of the British in March, 1776, notified General Robert Howe, commander of the American forces in this section, with headquarters at Charleston, that an advance of the enemy upon Savannah was anticipated, and that his small force, two hundred and fifty men, with one hundred for duty, was inadequate to defend the place. General Howe came over and took command. He had about five hundred regulars and three hundred and fifty militia. He learned that the enemy had planned for Colonel Prevost to advance from Florida and arrive near Savannah in time to cooperate with the fleet under Sir Hyde Parker and the troops under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, to be sent from New York. Prevost advanced as far as Sunbury. The Americans made a show of being in strong force and Prevost retreated. Howe then returned to Savannah and ordered all of the troops to assemble there. The town was in an almost defenseless condition, excepting from the water side. The fort on the eastern end of the bluff, where the gas house now stands, had been considerably enlarged, more guns mounted, and made quite formidable. It was named Fort Wayne, in honor of General Anthony Wayne.

    By the 27th of December the whole of the British fleet had anchored off Tybee. The vessels composing the armed squadron were the Phoenix, forty-four guns; the Rose and Fowey, twenty four guns each; the Vigilant, twenty eight guns; and the brig Keppel, the sloop Greenwich and the galley Comet. The transports brought about thirty-five hundred men. Howe had about nine hundred men to oppose their force. The British were not at first aware of the weakness of the Americans and were disposed to wait the arrival of Prevost's command before commencing the assault upon the town. To gain information Colonel Campbell sent a boat's crew ashore to capture some of the inhabitants. The crew landed on Wilmington island and took two men prisoners, who informed them of the exact condition of the Americans. Believing the information received to be correct, Campbell decided to attack without delay. On the 28th the squadron sailed up within two miles of town, opposite to Girardeau's plantation, and preparations were made to land early the next morning.

    Howe was not correctly informed concerning the strength of the enemy, and believing he could cope with them, determined to defend the town. Observing this movement of the enemy, he rightly concluded that the troops would land below Brewton hill ⁴ and advance upon the town by the great road, now known as the Thunderbolt road, and Captain John C. Smith, with his company of South Carolinians, was sent to the hill to watch the enemy. The marsh on the east side of the city was then much wider and more difficult to cross than now. On the high ground west of the marsh General Howe placed his command so as to cover the great road, which crossed the marsh by a narrow causeway, and burned the bridge over the rivulet which ran through the center of the marsh. To present still further obstructions, a deep ditch was dug three hundred yards west of the marsh and filled with water. The army was divided into two brigades; the first, commanded by Colonel Elbert, constituted the left, and the other, under Colonel Huger, the right wing. ⁵ Five pieces of cannon were posted in front of the causeway. To the right of the position of the Americans a small path led through the swamp to the high grounds on the opposite side. This path was pointed out to General Howe by Colonel Walton as a place which should be guarded, but the General, thinking differently, paid no attention to the suggestion. About what is now the corner of Liberty and Bull streets were the New barracks. The roads to White Bluff and the Ogeechee river united near the barracks, and Colonel Walton, with one hundred militia, was posted there.

    About dawn of the 29th the British landed on Girardeau's place. From the point of landing to Brewton's hill was a narrow causeway six hundred yards in length. A body of Highlanders, under Captain Cameron, landed first and were thrown forward to secure the hill. Captain Smith ordered his men to reserve their fire until the enemy were close. The Highlanders marched in solid column halfway up the hill, when the Americans opened upon them, killing Captain Cameron and two privates, and wounding five others. The first and second battalions of DeLancy's corps of New York Volunteers and the first battalion of the 71st regiment of foot, all under Lieutenant Colonel Maitland, had landed immediately after the Highlanders, and hearing the firing rushed forward to participate. The Highlanders, who had been thrown into confusion by the effective fire of the Americans, rallied and advanced with their reinforcement. Captain Smith, who had been instructed to retire if attacked by a large force, retreated to the main body. The entire force of the enemy now landed and formed line-of-battle on top of the hill and there remained, while Colonel Campbell with a small party rode forward to reconnoiter. This done, the light infantry, under Sir James Baird, were thrown forward, supported by DeLancy's New York Volunteers. Following these came the first battalion of Hessians, with two three-pounders. By three o'clock the army arrived within eight hundred yards of the Americans and halted. The advantageous position selected by General Howe was duly noted and appreciated by Colonel Campbell, and he determined that no benefits should be derived from it, and therefore aimed to turn Howe's right flank or get into his rear. In his reconnoisances he ran across an old Negro named Quanimo Dolly, generally called Quash, who informed him of the private path through the swamp, by which the rear of the American line could be gained. Overjoyed at this discovery, Campbell returned to his command, and ordered Sir James Baird, with the light infantry and the New York Volunteers, to follow the Negro through the swamp and attack the first body of troops found. To deceive the Americans, Colonel Campbell manoeuvred his troops in front as if about to attack. This caused the Americans to play upon them with their artillery. The British did not return the fire, but still manoeuvred, waiting to hear from Baird. He followed the Negro through the swamp, coming out at a point near where is now Waringsville, and struck the White Bluff road, down which he advanced, falling suddenly upon the small force of Walton's. This was swept away after a short but brave resistance, during which Walton was wounded, and the conqueror turned to the right to strike the rear of the American line. The firing notified Campbell that Baird had accomplished his purpose, and he immediately advanced his line at a rapid pace. The artillery, which had been concealed behind a hill, was pushed forward to the top and a rapid fire opened upon the Americans. Sir James Baird also charged from the rear. The Americans were between two fires, and opposed to them was a force much larger and better disciplined. Nothing but a retreat was now left to them. The order was given for Colonel Daniel Roberts, with the artillery, to secure the causeway on the Augusta road leading across Musgrove creek and swamp, on the west of the town. This he did, and the right flank retreated to it and crossed in safety. The left flank attempted to retreat by this route, but before their arrival the British drove Colonel Roberts across the causeway and took possession. Colonel Elbert's command, many of whom had been shot and bayoneted as they ran through town, finding this avenue of retreat denied them, rushed through the rice fields near the river. The tide was up and Musgrove creek full of water. A large number threw away their arms and accoutrements and attempted to swim it. Most of them succeeded, but thirty of the number were drowned. The remainder of the command, two hundred in number, either could not swim or dared not attempt to cross and there stopped, to be captured a few moments after. These were marched, back to town, disarmed, and robbed by the Highlanders. Sir James Baird coming up at the time with others of the Highlands "mounted himself on a ladder and sounded his brass bugle- horn, which the Highlanders no sooner heard than they all got about him, when he addressed himself to them in Highland language, when they all dispersed and finished plundering such of the officers and men as had been fortunate enough to escape the first search". ⁶

    During the attack by the army the British fleet was made ready for action, and as soon as it was ascertained that the American line had given way Sir Hyde Parker sailed up the river and passed Fort Wayne, receiving a few shots therefrom, which killed and wounded five seamen. The galley Comet was sent further up the river and prevented any of the American vessels from escaping; thus securing to the squadron three ships, three brigs, and three smaller vessels, and one hundred and twenty-six prisoners. The army captured thirty-eight officers, four hundred and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates, one stand of colors, forty-eight cannon, twenty-three mortars, six hundred and thirty-seven stand of arms, ninety barrels of powder, and other munitions of war; all done with the loss of only one commissioned officer and three men killed and one sergeant and fourteen men wounded. The Americans lost eighty-three men killed, thirty drowned, and a large number wounded.

    The conduct of the British troops upon entering the town was of such a character as to strike terror to the hearts of all the inhabitants. Before the soldiers could be restrained lawless and brutal acts were committed; women were insulted, citizens who had not been engaged in the fight shot and bayoneted in the streets, and a number seized and carried aboard the ships, where they endured the most terrible sufferings from lack of food, pure air and water. Among those thus imprisoned were the Honorable Jonathan Bryan, his son James, Reverend Moses Allen, Mordecai Sheftall, and his son Sheftall Sheftall, Edward Davis, Dr. George Wells, and David Moses Vallaton.

    The remnant of Howe's army retreated up the river to Zubly's ferry and crossed into South Carolina. Campbell left Lieutenant Colonel Innis in command of Savannah and marched to Augusta, shortly after which Brevet Brigadier-General Prevost arrived and relieved Colonel Innis. General Prevost established his headquarters at the house situated on the north side of Broughton street next east of the Masonic hall.