The British Attack the South

A New British Strategy

Once the French started fighting for the Americans the British began to rethink their colonial strategy. First they had to stop focusing all their energies on the 13 former colonies, and prepare to defend other colonies such as Florida and their colonies in the West Indies. This forced them to withdraw their troops from Philadelphia to strengthen the garrison at New York City against a French attack by sea and a American attack by land. They also had appointed a new commander in place of William Howe. This was Howe's former subordinate Henry Clinton. The British Government took away Howe's position because of his inability to crush the rebellion even though he won nearly every battle he took part in. Clinton seemed more aggressive-minded so he was appointed commander. 

A New Phase of the War

Clinton's troops attacked Charleston in March-May of 1780 launching their southern campaign. Charleston commander Benjamin Lincoln surrendered too avoid high civilian casualties (the British began to cruelly fire red-hot shot into the town) since disease had already taken its toll. This made prisoners of 5,000 Continental soldiers that composed a large portion of the southern Continental Army. General Horatio Gates was given command of the remainder of the southern troops, but after a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Camden he also was removed from command. His replacement was a Quaker from Rhode Island named Nathaniel Greene. Greene began to pursue a hit-and-run strategy similar to the Indian raids from the French and Indian war. 

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