Brewton's Hill Research Paper

The captures of Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC by the British allowed them to develop a foothold in the south with logistical support to wage a southern campaign in the attempt to end the revolution. The loss of Savannah can be attributed to the people of the state and their willingness to helps the British forces and the loss of Charleston can be attributed to General Lincoln, Continental Congress and the state of South Carolina. The loss of Savannah, GA had the potential of being prevented if the defense of the city was placed in the ambush of the attacking British forces at Brewton’s Hill.1 American General Howe preferred to retreat from the city, but this decision was declined by a war council and the defense of the city would rest on an American blocking position just …show more content…
Prior to the fall of Charleston, General Lincoln was unable to conduct a southern campaign to defend the ever important state of South Carolina.6 General Lincoln made several omissions to his own inability to command a large army and his inability to properly manage a major campaign and blamed it on his lack of command experience.7 He expressed his concerns to both Congress and General Washington, but they in turn blamed General Lincoln for not seeing the bigger picture to the purpose of the campaign and taking in the consideration and interest of the state of South Carolina.8 in addition to General Lincoln’s inability to wage a proper campaign, both the Congress and the state of South Carolina failed to raise and supply General Lincoln with an adequate number to troops to defend the state and its important ports that the British sought to capture.9 With the mix of General Lincoln’s shortcomings and the lack of proper troop support from both Congress and the state of South Carolina created a perfect storm for a long siege of