My limits will not allow me the extent of detail, which was very creditable to the courage and exertions of all.
Count D'Estaing, little looking for such protracted operations, and growing impatient under them, determined to storm early on the morning of the 9th of October.
Two feigned attacks by the American Militia, were planned against the Garrison, to attract its attention to the centre and left, and it was also resolved that, whilst D'Estaing and Lincoln moved against Spring-hill redoubt in front, Count Dillon, with another column, should advance along the edge of a swamp which communicates with the river above the town, silently pass the redoubts and batteries, and thus gain the rear of the British lines. This column losing its way, was embarrassed in the morasses, and after the dawn was exposed to a heavy fire, that threw it into a disorder from which it could not recover.
D'Estaing, under the cover of darkness, got near the redoubt just as the day began to break; but he was received with incessant volleys and heavy discharges, which committed a dreadful carnage. This part of defence was entrusted to Captain Tawse and his little Corps of Provincial Dragoons, who maintained it with enthusiastic bravery. Alternately had the French and American standard been planted on the parapet, when that gallant Chief, defending in person the gate of his redoubt, and his sword still unentangled from the body of an impetuous Frenchman, received his own death-wound. Here there still continued a doubtful contest for possession, when Lieut. Colonel Maitland, commanding the force upon the right of our lines, pushed on the 60th Regiment and the Marines, who, with charged bayonets, soon decided the struggle. The assailants were driven from the ditch, and retreated quickly, with the loss of 901 killed and wounded.
It was with difficulty the British could be restrained from following their superior forces, whose future operations were limited to the re-embarkation of their troops and stores, and the retreat of the Rebel Army into South Carolina.
The Count D'Estaing, with a part of his fleet, returned to France, after having achieved nothing worthy of notice, and his other ships proceeded for the West Indies.
Throughout this service the Navy were justly entitled to a great share of merit. Never were the exertions of the Sailors at the great guns more animated or useful.
Captain, afterwards Colonel Moncrieffe, of the Engineers, exhibited symptoms of the highest talents in his profession; and a share of honour truly falls to the lot of Captain Charlton, of the Corps of Royal Artillery, which has been eminently and uniformly great upon every service allotted them.
Lieut. Colonel Glazier, who led the Grenadiers and Marines in the charge which decided the fate of every thing, attracted much praise.