Southern+Phase

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/south/

The Continental victory at Saratoga in 1777 and the Treaty with the French in 1778 transformed the war, especially for the British. Increased French aid to the Continentals was very slow in coming; coordinated military activity between the two new allies was even slower to happen. Meanwhile, the British were immediately faced with a global conflict with France. As a result, the British changed their strategy yet again in 1778. Rather than mounting a full-scale military campaign against the Continental Army, the British decided to focus their efforts on the loyalists, who they still believed were the majority of the American population.

Believing the loyalists were strongest in the South and hoping to enlist the slaves in their cause--an objective that seems incompatible with a focus on Southern loyalists--the British turned their efforts to the South. In fact, the British had some important military successes in the South. They occupied Savannah, Georgia, in late 1778 and Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1779. They also struck a disastrous blow on General Horatio Gates' forces at Camden, South Carolina, in August 1780.

Although the British were successful in most conventional battles, the fighting in the South, under the leadership of Generals Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan, turned toward guerrilla and hit-and-run warfare. Moreover, the British had overestimated loyalist sentiment in the South; their presence actually forced many, who had been sitting out the war, to take sides, most in favor of the Patriots. At the same time, the British underestimated the logistical problems they would encounter, especially when their army was in the interior away from the supplies offered by their fleet. Patriot forces, on the other hand, were supplied and could hide among the local population. As a result, the British southern strategy was a dismal failure.

For additional documents related to these topics, search American Memory using such key words as Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis, Nathanael Greene, Daniel Morgan, such battles as Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and individual southern states and cities. Search Washington's Papers and the Journals of the Continental Congress by date (of specific battles, for example), and use the terms found in the documents to the right of the page.

DOCUMENTS:

1. "Relief of the Southern States," May 8, 1779

Gouverneur Morris wrote to Washington on April 26, 1779, urging him to attack the British in New York City. Morris assumed that significant French military aid would make such a campaign possible. According to the following response, what does Washington say about the likelihood of French aid? What does Washington think is a more important objective for a campaign in the coming year? What is Washington's assessment of the problems facing the nation in 1779?

2. Washington to General Benjamin Lincoln, July 30, 1779

In late December 1778, the British occupied Savannah, Georgia; a month later they occupied Augusta. To counter British moves in the South, Southern delegates to Congress urged General Benjamin Lincoln's appointment to command Continental forces in that department. Subsequently, Lincoln wrote Washington concerning the sad state of affairs in the south. In the following letter from Washington to Lincoln, how does Washington assess the situation in the South? Besides the South, what other strategic concerns influenced Washington's views?

3. Washington to Continental Congress, September 7, 1779

In the following letter to the Continental Congress, Washington rather astutely surveys the strategic situation from the British point of view. His thinking is not far from what the British were actually considering at this time, as shown in a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to George Germaine that the editors of Washington's papers included as a footnote to the September 7 letter. What does Washington say the British intend to do and why? What are the British actually considering and why?

4. Correspondence Between Washington and John Jay, August and September 1779

In the following exchange of letters between Washington and John Jay, the two men assess the international situation as it concerns Great Britian. According to the letters, what are their views of the current international scene? What evidence do these letters provide to suggest that the War for Independence had become a global war?

5. Washington to General Benjamin Lincoln, September 28, 1779

In the following letter from Washington to Lincoln, Washington indicates his views of British intentions in the near future. According to the letter, what does Washington think the British will do? Why does he think so?

6. Washington to Edmund Pendleton, November 1, 1779

After the alliance with France was signed in 1778, Washington grew ever more frustrated that the allies could not find a way to mount joint operations. In the following letter to Edmund Pendleton, Washington summarizes the strategic situation and tries to predict what the British will do next. According to the letter, what is Washington's assessment of the British campaign for 1779? What does Washington think the British will do next and why?

7. Washington Predicts British Movement to the South, November 29, 1779

This letter from Washington to the Continental Congress illustrates several difficulties of fighting a war in the age before rapid communications and transportation. According to the following letter, what are some of these difficulties? How would they hamper the American war effort?

8. Washington Foresees a British Push in the South, April 2, 1780

In the spring of 1780, Washington had intelligence that the British were about to make a big push in the South. In the first letter below, written to the Continental Congress, what is the choice of difficulties to which Washington refers? What does Washington propose to do? In the second letter, to General von Steuben, why does Washington place a condition on the recruitment of new regiments? What does this condition say about his concern for his officers?

9. The Condition of the Continental Army, Spring 1780

In the following letters to the Continental Congress, Washington informs Congress of the continued deprivations of the soldiers in the army. What are these deprivations? What consequences of these deprivations does Washington indicate are occurring?

10. Washington to Pennsylvania Governor Joseph Reed, May 28, 1780

Throughout the American War for Independence, Congress was powerless to tax; to raise revenue, supplies, and troops, Congress made requests to the states. Sometimes the states complied, but many times they did not. According to the following letter from Washington to Governor Joseph Reed of Pennsylvania, what does Washington think will happen if that state does not meet or exceed its requisition? Why does Washington feel that the French and Spanish allies will not be able to offer further financial assistance to the United States? Why does Washington observe that "much will depend on the State of Pennsylvania"?

11. Washington Appoints General Nathanael Greene as Commander of the Southern Army, October 22, 1780

After General Horatio Gates's severe defeat by British forces at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina, Washington appointed former Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene as commander of the Southern Army. According to the following letters written by Washington concerning Greene's appointment, why has Washington appointed Greene to this post? What does Washington say about the military situation in the South and about General Gates?

12. Washington Complains That Congress Needs Greater Power to Conduct War, March 25, 1781

In the following letter to friend William Fitzhugh, Washington complains that the Continental Congress has too little power to conduct the war effectively. What are the specific complaints Washington voices? How does he describe the military situation at this time?

13. Washington to John Armstrong, March 26, 1781

Is the tone of the following letter from Washington to John Armstrong optimistic or pessimistic tone? What may account for the tone of the letter?

14. Washington to John Laurens, April 9, 1781

In the spring of 1781, Washington wrote to his friend John Laurens about a number of matters. According to the following letter, what is Washington's assessment of the current military situation? Why do you suppose Washington wrote part of the letter in cipher (secret code)?