Freeman's Journal, May 22, 1782.
George III also declared that he would retain the cities of New York and Charleston at all hazards, but it was soon out of his power to retain Charleston, at least. General Leslie, in command there, found himself in dire straits for supplies, and on December 14, 1782, evacuated the city and sailed away for Halifax.
ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRITISH FROM CHARLESTON
[December 14, 1782]
His triumphs of a moment done;
His race of desolation run,
The Briton, yielding to his fears,
To other shores with sorrow steers:
To other shores—and coarser climes
He goes, reflecting on his crimes,
His broken oaths, Hayne],
And blood of thousands, spilt in vain.
To Cooper's stream, advancing slow,
Ashley no longer tells his woe,
No longer mourns his limpid flood
Discolor'd deep with human blood.
Lo! where those social streams combine
Again the friends of Freedom join;
And, while they stray where once they bled,
Rejoice to find their tyrants fled,
Since memory paints that dismal day
When British squadrons held the sway,
And circling close on every side,
By sea and land retreat deny'd—
Shall she recall that mournful scene,
And not the virtues of a Greene,
Who great in war—in danger try'd,
Has won the day, and crush'd their pride.