By: Curtis Russo

Siege of CharlestonMarch 29- May 12, 1780

Many “failures” in battle lead to new plans of strategic attack.

British leaders launched a new tactic they called “Southern Strategy”.

The strategy was based on loyalist, and began with the capture of Savannah, Georgia.

Next the British planned to attack Charleston to use it as a base for the war.

Background Knowledge

This battle took place in Charleston, South Carolina.

The major influential personalities in this battle were, Major General Benjamin Lincoln of the Continental Army, and General Henry Clinton of the British Army.

First shots were in the waters around Charleston’s Harbor in early April and ended with Gen. Lincoln giving full surrender to Gen. Henry Clinton on May 12th.

When Where and Who?

This battle lasted for six weeks, and ended in a surrender by the Continental Army’s Major General Benjamin Lincoln.

The battle started in the waters of Charleston Harbor.

On April 14th The British attacked at night and demolished the American forces

Lincoln wanted to surrender with honor but Gen. Clinton strongly disagreed.

More shots were fired, then Gen. Lincoln surrendered.

Over 5,000 troops were taken prisoner, the largest capture the war had seen thus far.

Summary of the Battle

The loss of and at Charleston was a tremendous blow to the Continental Army.

The loss of the 5,000+ troops weakened their forces, and the capture of Gen. Lincoln costs the Army to turn over officers for exchange.

The victory for the British was one of great importance because they had weakened the Colonies forces, and had captured a strategic outpost at Charleston strengthening their new “Southern Strategy”.

Outcomes for Both Sides

http://books.google.com/books?id=i14SAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=charleston+1780&hl=en&ei=5XuXTLz6HoKB8gaqkp2NDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false

Original Papers of the Siege of Charleston

“Sixty days have passed since it has been known that your intentions against this town were hostile, in which time has been afforded to abandon it, but duty and inclination point to the propriety of supporting it to the last extremity.”

-Benjamin Lincoln

Quote from Original Papers

Primary Source

The American Revolutionary War. Genealogy Inc, 20 Sep. 2010. Web. 20 Sep. 2010 <http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/800401.htm>.

The American Revolutionary War. Genealogy Inc, 20 Sep. 2010. Web. 20 Sep. 2010 <http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/images/battles-maps/m800401.jpg>.

Mattern, David B. Siege of Charleston. Wikipedia, 20 Sep. 2010. Web. 20 Sep. 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Charleston>.

Lincoln, Benjamin. Original Papers of the Siege of Charleston. Unknown: P of Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co, 1898. Web. .. <http://books.google.com/books?id=i14SAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=charleston+1780&hl=en&ei=5XuXTLz6HoKB8gaqkp2NDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false>

Bibliography