Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 5.djvu/272

258 We return now to the American campaign. Sir Henry Clinton, at the close of the year 1779, proceeded to carry into effect his plan of removing the war to the Southern States. The climate there favoured the project of a winter campaign, and, on the day after Christmas-day, Sir Henry embarked five thousand men on board the fleet of admiral Arbuthnot. But the weather at sea at this season proved very tempestuous, and his ships were driven about for seven weeks. Many of his transports were lost, some of them were taken by the enemy; he lost nearly all the horses of the cavalry and artillery, and one vessel carrying the heavy ordnance foundered at sea.

It was the 11th of February when he landed on St. John's Island, about thirty miles from Charlestown. He then proceeded to plan the investment of Charlestown with admiral Arbuthnot; but he was not on good terms with that officer, and this threw great impedimenta in the way of prompt action. It was the 29th of March before he could cross the Ashby River and land on Charlestown Neck, whilst Arbuthnot proceeded with his ships up the Ashby River.

It was the 1st of April before they could break ground before the city. All the forces which Clinton could muster, after collecting reinforcements by land, were seven thousand; whilst the Americans in the city were almost as many, though including a considerable body of militia. General Lincoln was in command of the American forces; and plenty of time having been allowed, he had, by the assistance of French engineers, greatly strengthened the defences. They had erected a chain of redoubts across the peninsula, from Cooper's River to Ashby River, and had built a strong citadel in the centre. All these, and other works, ditches, and abattis, were made formidable with cannon, and by numerous batteries, wherever the place could be approached by water. Besides these, there was a bar at the entrance of the harbour, over which large ships could not pass; and admiral Arbuthnot had to lighten