People

British officer who captured Savannah on December 29, 1778, by exploiting intelligence from an enslaved man about a hidden path through the swamp flanking the American position. His swift campaign opened the entire southern theater of the war.

Enslaved man who guided Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell through a hidden swamp path to outflank the American defenses at Savannah on December 29, 1778. His knowledge of the local terrain made the British capture of Savannah possible. His motivations and subsequent fate are not fully documented.

North Carolina Continental general commanding the American forces at Savannah when the British attacked in December 1778. His 850-man force was completely outmaneuvered by Campbell's flanking move; over 450 Americans were captured. Howe was later court-martialed but acquitted.

Swiss-born British general who commanded the Savannah garrison during the Franco-American siege of October 1779. His successful defense of the city against a force more than twice his size was one of the most notable British defensive achievements of the war.

Massachusetts general who commanded the Continental forces during the 1779 Franco-American siege of Savannah and co-led the October 9 assault with d'Estaing. After the siege failed he withdrew to Charleston, where he surrendered the entire Southern Army in May 1780.

French naval commander who brought 20 ships and 4,000 troops to Savannah in September 1779 to support the American siege. His impatience with the siege led to the premature assault of October 9; he was wounded twice in the failed attack before withdrawing the French fleet.

Polish nobleman and cavalry commander who served the American cause from 1777. Mortally wounded on October 9, 1779, leading a cavalry charge at the Spring Hill Redoubt during the failed Franco-American assault on Savannah. DNA analysis in 2019 confirmed his remains in the Pulaski Monument.

South Carolina soldier famous for rescuing the flag at Fort Sullivan (Fort Moultrie) in 1776. Killed on October 9, 1779, planting the American colors on the parapet of the Spring Hill Redoubt during the failed assault on Savannah. His death in the act of carrying the flag became one of the Revolution's most commemorated sacrifices.