CHAPTER 7.
From the Battle of Savannah to the Defeat of Gates at Camden.
The failure of the combined forces of France and America before the walls of Savannah, left the cause of the latter, in the South, in much worse condition than before.

The event served to depress the Carolinians, and in the same degree, to elevate and encourage the enemy.
The allies withdrew to their ships, and, shortly after, from the coast.
General Lincoln, with the American army, retreated to the heights of Ebenezer, and thence to Sheldon.

Proceeding from this place to Charleston, he left Marion in command of the army.

On the thirty-first of January, 1780, he writes to the latter as follows: "The state of affairs is such as to make it necessary that we order our force to a point as much and as soon as possible.

No troops will be kept in the field except two hundred Light Infantry and the Horse (Washington's).
You will therefore please to select from the three regiments with you, two hundred of your best men, and those who are best clothed, and organize them into corps, with proper officers.