1. 1780 Britain Moves South

2. Loyalists in arms
As early as the end of 1778, Britain began turning its attention South
Southern states were much more loyal to the crown than their northern counterparts
Many loyalists in the south took up arms to fight against the patriots
Formed Loyalist militias
Some joined British units, others waged their own attacks
In many cases, civil war in the south

3. War moves South
On Dec. 29th 1778, British forces took control of Savannah, GA
Major port city
Began fortifying city

4. Siege of Savannah
Almost a year later, on Sept. 16, 1779 American and French forces would lay siege to Savannah and try to reclaim city
Over 500 Haitians fought for French
On October 9th, a major American assault failed
Approx. 2,000 American casualties, including 800 dead
Siege was given up on Oct. 18
Britain begins to tighten grip on the South

5. Casimir Pulaski
Among the casualties was Polish general and volunteer Casimir Pulaski
Known as the “Father of the American Cavalry”
Extensive training of American cavalry
Began in Valley Forge
Casimir Pulaski

6. War in the South
General Henry Clinton began fortifying strategic port cities and moving north throughout the Carolinas
First Stop - Charleston

7. Siege of Charleston March 29-May 12, 1780
Gen. Henry Clinton and 14,000 redcoats lay siege to Charleston, SC
Benjamin Lincoln held the city with 5,000 Americans
British captured Fort Moultrie which guarded the city
After a long siege, Americans surrendered their entire Southern Army
The worst American defeat of the war
Clinton left city under control of General Charles Cornwallis and returned to NY

8. Battle of Camden Aug. 16th 1780 Camden, SC
3,000 American forces under Horatio Gates had marched south
Replacing surrendered American forces
2,000 British under Charles Cornwallis marched inland to block the advance of this new army
British quickly broke the American lines and easily routed the inexperienced troops
Gates led the retreat, arriving well ahead of his army in Charlotte, NC
Baron Von Kalb and his more experienced troops refused to retreat

9. Death of Baron Von Kalb at the Battle of Camden
2100 American Casualties
Including Patriot General Baron Von Kalb
Bayoneted several times while down
400 British casualties
Death of Baron Von Kalb at the Battle of Camden

10. Nathanael Greene
Gates’ cowardly retreat led to his replacement as the head of the American Southern Army
Nathanael Greene would take over
Gritty, determined
"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
A soldier’s soldier
Began the war as a lowly private, and ended as Washington’s most trusted General
Nathanael Greene

11. Battle of Kings Mountain
Oct 7, 1780
Kings Mountain, NC
1000 Loyalist militia under Patrick Ferguson had fortified hill
1000 Patriot militia
No real patriot command structure
“Partisans”- guerilla fighters
Patriots quietly surrounded hill, before unleashing deadly rifle fire
Multiple Patriot charges up the hill
Americans repulsed, regrouped, and charged again
Killed British General Ferguson after several hours

12. Kings Mountain American – 100 casualties
British – Entire loyalist army (1000) either killed, wounded, or surrendered
9 hanged who had defected to the British
Demonstrated the effectiveness of partisan (guerilla) warfare

13. Benedict Arnold Given command of Philadelphia after British evacuated
Accused of profiteering from the war
Using army carts for business use
Closing some local business
Acquitted of most charges
Letter of reprimand from Washington
Married Peggy Shippen
18 years old (20 yrs. younger)
British sympathizer, ties with leading Tories
John André

14. Benedict Arnold Felt betrayed by America
Not recognized for accomplishments
Gates took glory for Saratoga
Passed over on promotions
Wounded in service
Never repaid for his financial contributions to Continental Army
Taken to trial for profiteering

15. The Deal Goes Down
In 1779 Benedict Arnold used his loyalist ties to begin negotiating with British General Henry Clinton via John André
Arnold was given command of West Point on the Hudson River,
and agreed to surrender
it to the British for
20,000 pounds
Teamed with Peggy’s ex redcoat John André

16. Treason Andre acted as courier between Clinton and Arnold
While Andre was carrying documents from Arnold to Clinton, he was robbed by local thieves
Found incriminating documents in his boot
Turned him into Continental Army
Arnold heard of Andre’s capture and fled to British in New York
Andre was hanged as a spy

17. Afterwards
Arnold was paid for his service, given land in Canada, pensions for himself and his wife and children, and a military commission as a British Provincial brigadier general
Arnold would successfully lead British forces to victories at Richmond, Virginia and New London, Connecticut before the end of the war
British never fully trusted Arnold
Moved to London and died in 1801