enemy gained possession of the schooners, in time to save them from being burned. The exertions on the part of the enemy, to save the vessels, gave Howell time to escape.

About the 20th of October, general Twiggs' command became so formidable, as to authorise an advance toward the enemy. Colonels Jones, Irwin, Lewis, Carr, and many others, had been successfully employed in awakening the American spirit. Twiggs put his command in motion for the lower country, where general Greene had authorised the belief, that general Wayne would be ordered, at the head of a continental force, so soon as he should be joined by general St. Clair, who was then on his march from the north. Colonel James Jackson was ordered in the advance, with part of his legion and captain M'Kay's riflemen. He had several skirmishes with the enemy, before he reached Ebenezer. The bridges were destroyed in his front, and his flanks were annoyed by small parties under cover of thick woods.

For the purpose of keeping open the communication between Savannah and the southern counties, the post had been held at Sunbury by the enemy, and an intermediate one at Ogechee ferry. On the 2nd of November, Colonel Jackson considered the surpise of the post at the ferry practicable; and determined to make the effort. In its vicinity, he fell in with a reconnoitring party and took them prisoners without giving alarm. Captain Johnson commanded the post at Ogechee,

and imagined himself secure against surprise, supposing that he would be informed of any ap proaching danger, by the party which had fallen into Jackson's hands. Colonel Jackson's approach was made so suddenly upon the house, which was relied on as the place for defence, that the discov ery and the demand for a surrender were simultaneous. Captain Johnson agreed to surrender, and was in the act of handing colonel Jackson his sword, when captain Goldsmith was killed by captain Patrick Carr. Johnson imagining, from this un-authorised act, that no quarter was to be given, sprung to the house, ordered his men to resume their arms and sell their lives as dear as possible. The house was defended with so much vigour, that Jackson was not only compelled to relinquish what he deemed a certain conquest, but to retreat with the loss of captain Grant and several of his men. The house was considered unassailable, and while Jackson was contemplating further ope rations, M'Kay's riflemen deserted him in search of plunder. He proceeded with his remaining force against Butler's house, about a mile from the ferry, where there were fifteen loyalists, commanded by captain Howell, who was sick in bed. The house was defended for a short time, but the bold attempt of one of the Americans succeeded in setting it on fire. Howell and his party attempted to escape, but very few succeeded: six were killed and five taken prisoners; among the former was their commander.

Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, of the British cavalry, was quartered about a mile from the ferry with a detachment of his regiment; here he was joined by Johnson, and a detachment of Florida rangers, under captain Wylie, amounting in all to eighty-five. Colonel Jackson's command was reduced to fifty-seven; and supposing the numbers in the enemy's ranks, to be more than they really were, he was unwilling to come to action, without the advantage of choosing his ground. Campbell's men being all mounted, he advanced and the attack was made about four o'clock. Jackson presented his infantry, under captain Greene, and covered his cavalry behind a hammock. The enemy charged upon the infantry, and broke through the centre. Jackson's dragoons pressed through the enemy in return, and separated them; but they rallied at a high fence, and Jackson was obliged to retreat to a swamp, to secure himself against such a superiority of numbers, from which several unsuccessful attempts were made to dis lodge him. Under cover of the night, Jackson retired toward Ebenezer. His loss in these seve ral skirmishes, was six killed, five wounded, and five taken prisoners. Among the former was captain Grant, and among the latter was captain Bugg. The enemy's loss was two captains, one cornet, and nine privates killed, and thirty wounded and taken prisoners.

、

General Twiggs had advanced to Burke county, where he received intelligence of large bodies

of Indians and loyalists collecting on the western frontier of Carolina and Georgia. The general returned to Augusta, and ordered colonel Jackson to retreat to Burke county, where he was to be reenforced, and advance against Ebenezer. Colonel Jackson's force being augmented to one hundred and fifty men, he was enabled to attack the foraging parties of the enemy, with considerable effect. A number of negroes, and other property, belonging to the American refugees, fell into his hands and were restored to their former owners. country was so completely swept of every kind of provision, that Jackson's command often suffered for want of subsistence; their rations were limited to boiled rice, and even that was sometimes obtained at great hazard, and in small quantities.

The

In the western division of Georgia, the condition of the people was no better than in the eastern. Safety was no where to be found, except within the walls of a fortress. The inhabitants were driv en to the last extremity for want of subsistence. There was scarcely a bushel of corn, or any other kind of grain, to be found in any part of the country. Applications were made at the distance of fifty miles for small quantities of seed to put into the ground, and while the ploughman was en. gaged in cultivation, he was necessarily guarded by a party of soldiers. The forest furnished fine grass and cane, by which means horned cattle were kept in eatable condition, at all seasons of the year.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE loyalists and Indians, who had with drawn the attention of general Twiggs from Savannah, were fallen in with by him near the Oconee and dispersed. As he returned through Burke county on the 13th of December, Messrs. Davis, Lewis, and Emanuel, all members of the executive council, had carelessly fallen in the rear and were overtaken by a party of loyalists, commanded by captain Brantley. Lewis and Emanuel escaped by the speed of their horses, but Davis was taken prisoner, and afterward murdered.

William Cunningham, who held the rank of major in the royal service, had fled with his banditti to the Cherokee nation. In the month of November they entered the frontiers of Georgia, united with parties of Indians. In his train was one John Crawford, who captured John Pickens, brother of the general, who was delivered up to the Indians and expired by torture.

The change of events once more put it in the power of the frontier militia to make a stroke at the Cherokee nation. The command of the Georgia troops for this purpose, was confided to major John Cunningham. He joined a part of general Pickens' brigade about the 1st of January. Pick ens' command, including the Georgians, amounted to four hundred men. With this body, he