As soon as this was certainly known, General Lincoln put his army in motion for Savannah.
But the French forces had disembarked before his arrival, and the impatience and imprudence of their admiral did not suffer him to wait the coming of the American.

He was a rash man, and, as it appears, on bad terms with his subordinate officers, who were, indeed, not subordinate.* He proceeded to summon the place.

The answer to his demand was, a request of twenty-four hours for consideration.

By a singular error of judgment the French admiral granted the time required.

His only hope had been in a 'coup de main'.