“We will disembark most of our troops at Tybee Island, and others will use convenient beaches in the same vicinity. Smaller vessels can proceed up the river to Savannah, where the governor and General Prevost will welcome us. Because of the long delays in our voyage, there is no doubt that the rebels have been fully aware of our movements and our ultimate goal, but there is little action they can take. As all of you know, I consider Charles Town to be quite vulnerable to a simultaneous attack from sea and land. It is well defended, but we have plenty of time to conduct a patient siege operation that will inevitably prevail. My surmise is that Lincoln will acknowledge this fact and will abandon the city in order to save his army, which will make them vulnerable to our forces as they move to the west and north.

“It will be important for us to encircle the area as early as possible to minimize the number of rebel troops that escape. I shall want Lord Cornwallis to orchestrate the attack from the south and west, and Tarleton’s dragoons to move across the Cooper River to cut off supplies, reinforcements, and escape, to and from the north. I know you are already familiar with these plans that you have helped to devise. Are there any questions?”

Tarleton waited for the more senior officers to speak, and after a long silence he said, “Your Lordship, it has been reported that most of my horses have perished during the storm, and it will be necessary for me to acquire additional trained mounts before we are prepared to carry out your instructions.”

“I am aware of this problem, but we cannot tarry in executing this operation. You can confiscate what horses are available from the British and irregulars in Savannah, and acquire others as we move into South Carolina. It will not be just horses we will be confiscating. We can be prepared for Governor Wright and General Prevost to explode with protests when they learn what men and supplies will be leaving their city for our use against Charles Town.”

“But, sir—”

“Colonel, this will not be the first time that cavalry have gone into battle on plow horses. It will be a good way for your men to begin the new year.”

Tarleton made a feeble attempt to join in the general laughter, and decided not to pursue the matter further.

CHAPTER 41

Brown Returns to Augusta

MARCH 1780