Battle Description

The Battle of Savannah in 1778 was the opening move of the British Southern Campaign. On December 23, British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell landed near Savannah with approximately 3,100 troops. The city was defended by a small American force of 850 men under General Robert Howe.

Howe positioned his troops south of the city, relying on swampy terrain to slow the British advance. However, Campbell exploited local intelligence to flank the American right through the swamps. On December 29, the British launched a coordinated assault, overwhelming the defenders in less than an hour. Around 450 Americans were captured, and the rest fled toward South Carolina.

Outcome

• Outcome: British victory; Savannah captured.
• Casualties:
  • American: ~83 killed, ~11 wounded, ~453 captured
  • British: ~7 killed, ~17 wounded

Significance on the Revolution

The fall of Savannah marked the beginning of sustained British operations in the South. It demonstrated the vulnerability of Patriot defenses in Georgia and gave the British a strategic foothold for further advances into the Carolinas. The loss also exposed divisions in American command and highlighted the need for stronger coordination and local support. Savannah remained under British control until 1782, despite later attempts to retake it.