Hitch Village/Fred Wessels Homes in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Capture of Savannah
December 29, 1778
When the British attacked Savannah on December 29, 1778, the defending Continental forces, numbering about 650 men under command of Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, were posted across Sea Island Road (now Wheaton street) approximately 100 yards east of this marker.
The British army, 2500 strong, landed near Brewton Hill at daybreak on Dec. 29. It consisted of part of the 71st Highland Regt., New York Loyalists, and Hessians, and was commanded by Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell. The British promptly marched on Savannah. They halted on the road about 800 yards from the American battle line and deployed for attack.
Col. Campbell meanwhile learned of an unguarded pass through the swamp, which led around the right of the American line. He there upon detached the Light Infantry under Sir James Baird in an attempt, which proved successful, to flank the Continental position here.
Outflanked, the American position became untenable and Gen. Howe ordered Savannah evacuated. During the withdrawal, the Georgia Brigade, commanded by Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, was cut off and suffered heavy casualties.
During the subsequent siege of Savannah by the French and Americans in 1779 the British line of defenses around the Town ran through this area.
Erected 1952 by Georgia Historical Commission . (Marker Number 025-8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 29, 1778.
Location. 32° 4.336′ N, 81° 5.062′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in Hitch Village/Fred Wessels Homes. Marker is on East Liberty Street near Randolph Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cisterns (approx. 0.2 miles away); Recreation on Crawford Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beach Institute (approx. ¼ mile away); Houstoun Street/York Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Second Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Jingle Bells" (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Police Station Steps (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . . The Capture of Savannah. "The British held Savannah for the duration of the war, which they used as a base to conduct coastal raids up and down the coast from Charleston to the northern Florida coast." (Submitted on March 25, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 7,755 times since then and 100 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week December 26, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on March 31, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.