.

THE WAR IN THE SOUTH.
After 1778 there was no more decisive fighting in the North.

The British plan was to hold New York and keep there a threatening force, but to make the South henceforth the central arena of the war.

Accordingly, in 1779, they evacuated Rhode Island and left the magnificent harbor of Newport to be the chief base for the French fleet and army in America.
They also drew in their posts on the Hudson and left Washington free to strengthen West Point and other defenses by which he was blocking the river.

Meanwhile they were striking staggering blows in the South.