Capture of Savannah December 29, 1778 - GHM 025-8 - Chatham Co., GA
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Lat34North
N 32° 04.338 W 081° 05.048
17S E 492059 N 3548452
Located in the median on a short post at Liberty and Randolph Sts., Savannah.
Waymark Code: WM4M0A
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 09/04/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member tiki-4
Views: 14

When the British attacked Savannah on December 29, 1778, the defending Continental forces, numbering about 650 men under command of Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, were posted across Sea Island Road (now Wheaton Street) approximately 100 yards east of this marker.

The British army, 2500 strong, landed near Brewton Hill at daybreak on Dec. 29. It consisted of part of the 71st Highland Regt., New York Loyalists, and Hessians, and was commanded by Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell. The British promptly marched on Savannah. They halted on the road about 800 yards from the American battle line and deployed for attack.

Col. Campbell meanwhile learned of an unguarded pass through the swamp, which led around the right of the American line. He there upon detached the Light Infantry under Sir James Baird in an attempt, which proved successful, to flank the Continental position here.

Outflanked, the American position became untenable and Gen. Howe ordered Savannah evacuated. During the withdrawal, the Georgia Brigade, commanded by Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, was cut off and suffered heavy casualties.

During the subsequent siege of Savannah by the French and Americans in 1779 the British line of defenses around the Town ran through this area.

GHM 025-8 Georgia Historical Commission 1952
Type of Marker: Highway

Marker #: GHM 025-8

Date: 1952

Sponsor: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, yourself at the marker, your gps at the marker, or anything specific to the text on the marker. And don't forget to enjoy your visit.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Georgia Historical Markers
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Lat34North visited Capture of Savannah December 29, 1778 - GHM 025-8 - Chatham Co., GA 09/05/2008 Lat34North visited it
Markerman62 visited Capture of Savannah December 29, 1778 - GHM 025-8 - Chatham Co., GA 11/01/2000 Markerman62 visited it

View all visits/logs