You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast. Hello, and thank you for joining the American Revolution.

This week, episode 234, The Siege of Savannah.

The British had captured Savannah at the end of 1778.

Although they briefly retook control of most of the lightly populated state of Georgia, the

Continental's militia quickly forced the back into a small area

in and around Savannah.

When we last left the two southern armies in episode 223, the Americans had attacked the British

rearguard at Stono Ferry only to be repulsed.

General Washington saw the British occupation of Savannah as a threat to the southern states,

particularly the largest town in the region, Charleston, South Carolina,

where the British had almost succeeded in taking the city with a rather small

and ill-conceived attack. Washington personally kept his primary attention on New York City, which he saw as the key to winning the war.

Washington had lost New York in 1776, and probably saw it as a personal point of honor to win it back militarily. Even so, there was no serious

chance of retaking New York, even after the British drawdown there, until he could get some

naval support.

Since that was not going to happen anytime soon,

Washington did what he could to support General Benjamin Lincoln

in his efforts to recapture Savannah.

Washington deployed Brigadier General Charles Scott,

along with several regiments to reinforce Major General Lincoln's Southern Army.

Scott had been on furlow in Virginia at the General Lincoln's Southern Army.

Scott had been on furlow in Virginia at the time

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