On October 9, 1779
The Siege of Savannah took place. It began with D'Estaing going against the advice of his officers and beginning the attack early in the morning. But this didn’t have the effect the Americans and French wanted since General Provost had caught word earlier that they were trying to surprise them early in the morning. The Americans weren’t able to start marching until it was day light and as they marched up to the Spring Hill Battery musket fire rained down on them. From onlookers it seemed that the Americans could “scarcely raise an arm.” Provost had heard that it was a major part of the American strategy to head for Spring Hill Battery, which is why he had the post filled to the brim to stop the Americans from getting anywhere close to Savannah. General Huger moved in with his forces to hopefully feint the British and get a leg up on the enemy. But, once again, Provost was ready for them and moved his column to the right to flank Huger and his men. Major General Benjamin Lincoln decided that if he wanted to keep any forces in the south he would need to retreat. When the Americans returned to camp they counted between 800--1,000 dead, wounded, or captured. Among those wounded was Count D'Estaing, who got shot twice, and Count Pulaski who was mortally shot. General William Moultrie was furious at the outcome of the siege and believed that if they had attacked on September 17th they could of actually had a chance of taking the city, but they gave too much time to the British for fortifying their defenses. John Laurens was just as furious as Moultrie. Mason Locke Weems said that Laurens “raged like a wounded lion” as soon as the retreat was ordered he paused, and looking round on his fallen men, cried out, ‘Poor fellows, I envy you.’ Then hurling his sword in wrath against the ground, he retired.” On October 18 the French and American forces abandoned their joint attack on Savannah.