Now in December, 1779, he sailed from New York to make a renewed effort.

With him were three of his best officer--Cornwallis, Simcoe, and Tarleton, the last two skillful leaders of irregulars, recruited in America and used chiefly for raids.

The wintry voyage was rough; one of the vessels laden with cannon foundered and sank, and all the horses died.

But Clinton reached Charleston and was able to surround it on the landward side with an army at least ten thousand strong.

Tarleton's irregulars rode through the country.