Chapter 8.

The count D'Estang, with the French fleet, arrives to attack Savannah --
our army marches and joins him -- fatal effects of D'Estang's politeness --
biographical dash of young colonel Laurens -- curious dialogue
betwixt him and the French general -- unsuccessful attack on Savannah --
the brave Jasper mortally wounded -- is visited by the author
in his last moments -- interesting conversation --
dies like a Christian soldier.



Could the wishes of our army have availed, those gallant soldiers,
(Jasper and Newton) would long have lived to enjoy their past,
and to win fresh laurels. But alas! the former of them,
the heroic Jasper, was soon led, like a young lion, to an evil net.
The mournful story of his death, with heavy heart I now relate.

Scarcely had he returned from Georgia, laden, as aforesaid, with glory,
when an express came into camp, and informed that the count D'Estang
was arrived off Tybee. Instantly we struck our tents and marched
for the siege of Savannah. On arriving near that fatal place, we found
that the French troops, with their cannon and mortars, had just come up.
Oh! had we but advanced at once to the attack, as became skilful soldiers,
we should have carried every thing before us. The frighted garrison
would have hauled down their colors without firing a shot.
This I am warranted to say by the declaration of numbers of their officers,
who afterwards fell into our hands. But in place of an immediate
`coup de main', the courtly D'Estang sent a flag, very politely
inviting the town to do him the extreme honor of receiving their surrender.