Several of the British officers wrote formal accounts of their doings, the most notable of which is Tarleton's Campaigns.[1070] Portions of it are trustworthy, but in general the author placed his own services in such a favorable light that the true course of history is almost unrecognisable. Nevertheless, the book contains so many documents not elsewhere to be obtained, except at great labor, that it has a value. Tarleton's unjust discriminations and criticisms brought forth a most caustic review from the pen of Mackenzie,[1071] a Scotch officer, who served in a regiment which often accompanied the "Legion." Cornwallis, who had also been attacked by Tarleton, never replied to his criticisms in print; but he wrote to a "friend" (cf. letter dated Calcutta, Dec. 12, 1787, in the Cornwallis Corres., i. 59, note) that "Tarleton's is a most malicious and false attack; he knew and approved the reasons for several of the measures which he now blames. My not sending relief to Colonel Ferguson, although he was positively ordered to retire, was entirely owing to Tarleton himself: he pleaded weakness from the remains of a fever, and refused to make the attempt, although I used the most earnest entreaties." It should be noted, however, that this alleged refusal on Tarleton's part created no coolness at the time. Simcoe's narrative[1072] is even more egotistical than Tarleton's. But his details may be relied upon if one constantly remembers that events are related without any regard to their real importance. Captain, afterwards General, Graham served with Cornwallis in the 76th Highlanders through the most important portions of his North Carolina and Virginia campaigns. His Memoirs,[1073] therefore, though execrably edited so far as the American portion is concerned, should be consulted. Another book which partakes of the nature of an original source is the so-called Journal[1074] of R. Lamb, who served through the war, and his statements have a value. The only regimental history of much interest is Hamilton's Grenadier Guards,[1075] a corps which after Cowpens rendered good service, and this account of their achievements bears all the marks of originality. There are but few manuscripts of importance, written by British officers, accessible on this side of the ocean.[1076]
The most valuable history of the Revolution from a British pen is Gordon's well-known work. This author was assisted by Gates and Greene so far as the Southern campaigns were concerned. The volumes contain, moreover, many fragments of letters that have never seen the light in their entirety. Taken altogether, this work ranks with Ramsay as an authority of the very first importance. The only other important History of the American War from the English side is the work which bears the name of Charles Stedman on the title-page. Whoever the author of the text may have been, the writer of many of the notes in the part devoted to the war in the South was undoubtedly an on-looker. Still another work worthy of mention in this place, though mainly as the repository of documents, is Beatson's Memoirs. In addition there are numerous diaries, journals, etc. They relate mainly to but one battle or campaign, and will be mentioned in the following "Notes."
Savannah, 1778.[1077]—Campbell's formal report to Germain was first printed in The London Gazette for Feb. 20-23, 1779,—reprinted in Remembrancer, vii. 235; Hough's Siege of Savannah, Introduction, p. 7; Gentleman's Magazine, 1779, p. 177; and Dawson's Battles, i. 477. Major-General Augustine Prevost's report is in the Gazette for Feb. 23, 1779, and Remembrancer, vii. 243. It deals especially with his march from St. Augustine and capture of Sunbury.[1078] An American account of this latter event is in McCall's Georgia, ii. 176. Captain Hyde Parker[1079] reported to the Admiralty through the customary channel, and his report usually follows that of Prevost, as above. Howe seems to have presented no formal report, but Lincoln wrote to Washington (Corresp. Rev., ii. 244) early in the next year, describing the disaster. Howe's own side of the case, however, is fully set forth in the Proceedings of a General Court-Martial held at Philadelphia in the State of Penna. by order of his Excellency General Washington, Phila., 1782; reprinted in the New York Historical Society's Collections (1879, pp. 213-311), where will be found Howe's orders (Dec. 29th,[1080] p. 282) and statement (pp. 285-310). The court, presided over by Steuben, acquitted Howe on all the charges "with the highest honor." Nevertheless, the majority of writers have been unfavorable to Howe. See especially Moultrie's Memoirs, i. 244; Lee's Memoirs (2d edition), p. 40; Ramsay's Rev. in S. C., ii. 4. This last is a fairer view, and is followed by Gordon (American Revolution, iii. 212). See also Stedman, American War, ii. 66; McCall's Georgia, ii. 164, and C. C. Jones's Georgia, ii. 314. In this, the most recent history of Georgia, all the old statements are repeated.[1081]
An American description from a different point of view is the Account of the Capture of Mordecai Sheftall, Deputy Commissary of Issues to the Continental Troops for the State of Georgia, in White's Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 340. Sheftall also testified at the court-martial.[1082]
Minor Actions, 1779.—There is not much to be found as to Lincoln's doings before the siege of Savannah except his manuscript "order-books." Moultrie made an elaborate report of his encounter near Beaufort.[1083]
McCall was present at Kettle Creek, and his account[1084] of Boyd's overthrow has been generally followed by later writers. No official report of the affair has been found. The disaster at Brier Creek was much better chronicled. First comes Ashe's report to Lincoln (Moultrie, Memoirs, i. 323, and abridged in Dawson, Battles, i. 492). Lincoln wrote a good account of the affair (an extract of his letter in Dawson, as above), and the evidence given at the court-martial[1085] which tried Ashe is as full as can be desired.[1086] The British accounts do not differ essentially from these.[1087]