The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-01-18
The Evacuation OF Savannah

"Tho rebellion is ended now-therc is
nothing surer than this" shoutl your
Loyal Lacquer. Well, just so thought
tho British government ut the close Of
1880, the darkest and gloomiest hour in
our revolutionary struggle, aud yet tho
next year the Colonies achieved their in
dependence. How many of our readers
remember the exact condition of the
American Coloni,s at the time to which
we referg We will very briefly recapitu
late it. Late in l71S an expedition sail
ed from New York, and captured Savan7
nah. In ITO a desperate effort was
mode to recaplure III; but though assist.
ed by the French feet under Count d
Eslaing, our forces were urable to do SO.
'Auother sexpedis:on, sailing from Nav
Yo.k, took possession OF Portsmouth, in
virginia, without opposition, ard 10,
obliged in IA grand raid" throughout the
adjacent ccunlry. The campaign of 1850
opened with transfer Of the war to the
Southern States. On the 18th Of May,
Charleston was taken by the British, the
people apparently submitting. Sir Hen.
ry Clinton thought the rebellion ended
in Suutb Carolina, and returned to New
York, leaving CORVALLIS 10 command
Gates, at the head of 1900 men, was
sent South to stem the adverse current
and though ably supported by Sampter
and Marion, his forces were terribly de-
feated by CORVALLIS, and his army liter
ally dispersed Again "the rebellion vas
ended" and CORVALLIS proceeded store.
construct the Union," on the plan of
George the Third. AT the time the
British forces held every city on the A.
lahiic Coast, Savannah. Charleston, Will
minston, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Peters
burg and Richmond, Duri g the whole
of this year, TOO, General Washington
hod done nothing beyond maintaining
his lines from West Point across 10 Nor.
Eristown, in New Jorsty, His troops were
unfed, unpaid, unclulhed, and at various
tines evnced disposition to mutiny -
In The m DIST of this gloom aud acspon-
dency the tres son Of Arnold was discov-
cred. No one knew the extent or rami.
6cations of it, and general feeling Of
disrust seized upon all classes. Even
Washington, himself, did rot escape all
suspicion. His inaction for whole year
gave rise to murmurs. The army was
more turbulent than ever, and 1t finally
broke out in open mutiny. On the Isl
Of January, 1881, thatportion Of it On.
enmped At Morristown seized their arms
ovcrpowered their officers, killing and
Kounding several who attempted TO re-
strain them, and electing temporary off
GERS, moved off for Philadelphia, where
Congress was in session, declaring thai
they would be amused with promises o.
pay no longer, AT Princeton they weTt
met bya Committee Of Congress, and sr
arippeelent effected by which the,
|pgreed to return 10 duty. Such was th'
gloomy aspect Of affairs at the close o
1850, and yet, Tho very next veal, ,th'
Colonies achieved their Independence.
The British commanders were possess
cd Of the same delution that prevails
now, They supposed If they could taxi
all the principal towns and cities that thu
rebellion" was ended. And il was ney
er, until this delusion was dispelled, tha
the English gave up their absurd at
tempt TO conquer three millions OF peo
pie VINO were determined 10 be free. A
different periods they had laid every prin
Cipal ciiy, from Boston 10 Savannah, anc
yet their object had not been accomplish
ed. 1t was undoubtedly the capture o
these cities that actually aided in cndiut
the war favorably to tho Colonies 10
SO deeply seated was the delusion thn
their fall meant tho l"fall OF the rebel
lion, Y that the English never would hav,
iesisted from tho war until " had beel
! accomplished. ,t.,t,s,t Is5 ~ z, =
Apd so it is, to great extent, RoW,=
Wp have been constantly told that III
: or that city wus . "viial point" but tho
point secured, and then & Is somo Other
Atlanta was the most si,al Of oil poiat
before 10 was captured, but Il Is no soon
Ia. .ka.ta.i A.. lAtLa.&-l s,.,, IN o. /.