The Battle of Charleston

[Name of the Institute]

The Battle of Charleston

Introduction

It is generally believed that the battle of Charleston was the outcome of the insensible decisions, which General Benjamin made. Charleston was significant from a strategic point of view as it was a seaport in the south of Carolina during the colonial years in the United States. Being the largest city in the south and the fourth biggest city in the United States, it was the richest seaport with its valuable and regular exports to Europe and the West Indies. As failed to crush the American rebellion in the northern colonies, the British decided to raid on the South in late 1778. In their point of view, the British had more loyalists in the southern state and Georgia, and the south could help them win their control on other colonies.

The whole scene took a start when the Continental Army and the southern colonies jumbled to take in hand the new situation. As for the British, Charleston was the chief target. It could provide them a secure place to expand their trade and military operations to the far north and south. To defend Charleston, a jewel of the south, from the British assault an army General Benjamin Lincoln was sent. He was made the commanding officer of the Continental army.

Thesis Statement

The battle of Charleston ended with the surrender of five thousand soldiers to the British army. There were a number of factors contributed to the surrender of the Charleston. Though the siege of Charleston was considered to be the longest siege in the American history of war, it could not bring the desired results. Under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln, the American Army could not resist the British forces and defeated by the French army at Savannah. This led the American forces to take refuge in Charleston, and the history remembers it with the name of Siege of Charleston. In the longest siege of history, the American forces could not prevent the British from surrounding the city and ultimately capitulated.

Some of the decisions made by Benjamin Lincoln were considered illogical by historians and hence it was believed that these decisions were the root cause for the fall of Charleston. There were better options available, which could have saved the loss. With this, the battle resulted in the exchange of prisoners with the British forces. The study also highlights the aftermath of the battle. The British forces faced the perils of warm weather in the region, followed by the series of fevers. Their victory could not bring them any benefits due to a number of factors. The study also encompasses all these factors. The following research study will highlight the various factors and the themes taken out from the battle.

Discussion: Themes

The following are the key themes of the research paper.

1.Benjamin Lincoln: A Man of Spirit

2.Southern Strategy

3.Siege of Charleston

4.Surrender of Charleston as a tremendous blow to the American forces

5.Exchange of Prisoners

6.Summer and Fall of 1780

Benjamin Lincoln: A Man of Spirit

Followed by the death of his ...