Battle Description

The Battle of Savannah was a failed attempt by American and French forces to recapture the city from British control. After Savannah fell to the British in late 1778, a Franco-American force under General Benjamin Lincoln and Admiral Charles-Henri d’Estaing laid siege to the city in September 1779.

On October 9, the allies launched a direct assault on British fortifications. The attack was poorly coordinated and met with fierce resistance. French troops suffered heavy casualties, including the mortally wounded Count Casimir Pulaski. The defenders, led by General Augustine Prevost, held firm, and the siege was abandoned shortly afterward.

Outcome

• Outcome: British victory; Franco-American assault repelled.
• Casualties:
  • American/French: ~800 killed or wounded
  • British/Loyalist: ~120 killed or wounded

Significance on the Revolution

Savannah remained in British hands until 1782, and the failed siege marked one of the bloodiest defeats for the Patriot cause. The battle highlighted the difficulties of joint operations and the challenges of storming fortified positions. Despite the loss, the presence of French forces signaled growing international support for American independence. The death of Pulaski, a Polish nobleman and hero of the Revolution, became a symbol of foreign sacrifice for the Patriot cause.