audiobook A Gallant Defense: The Siege of Charleston; 1780 by Carl P. Borick in History

Review

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Superb!By MCBI have a good working knowledge of the Civil War in Charleston but knew next to nothing about the Rev War and Charleston. This book is an excellent account of the fighting around and for that city.I particularly enjoyed the personal stories of individuals involved. The author also gives the present day locations of key events; as a frequent visitor to Charleston I found this very valuable.Suffice to say I strongly recommend this book; you will not be disappointed!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. You might be surprised what you don't know!By John HamillWith only rare exceptions like Pearl Harbor; American military disasters are generally ignored - not commemorated and not studied. Before reading this book; I didn't know how little that I knew about this campaign. After a short re-cap of the war; the author briefly discusses a previous advance on Charleston from Georgia; which had been bluffed into retreat by an advance on the British rear. With hopes of loyalist support in the South; for 1780 Sir Henry Clinton mounted a major amphibious expedition from New York to the fourth largest city in the colonies; Charleston. The British landed in an unexpected area south of the city; in difficult terrain; but their advance was not contested. The naval aspect of the campaign was new to me; but vitally important. A substantial portion of the Continental Navy under Commodore Whipple was sent to defend Charleston; but Whipple failed to defend the bar at the harbor entrance; and unlike in 1776; the British then safely passed Ft Moultrie as they did not stop to engage the fort. With naval access to the harbor; the British could continue the land advance; despite the handicap of having almost no cavalry. After crossing the Ashley River; Clinton opened up siege lines opposite a formidable American line. Even then; additional American troops arrived by crossing the Cooper River. Although the Royal Navy never closed off the American retreat across the Cooper River; Clinton sent a detachment across which eventually captured the area north of the harbor; sealing the fate of the American garrison. Because of civilian influence; Benjamin Lincoln; the American commander had remained in the city until it was too late. The surrender was the greatest American disaster of the war and could easily have lost them the South. But British treatment of civilians; combined with a rumored smallpox epidemic which had kept militia out of Charleston; kept American hopes alive.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Great Book on the Revolution in the SouthBy Daniel CalandroBorick provides a great understanding the siege of Charleston. The importance of this battle has often gone unacknowledged by major historians. We hear lots about Valley Forge and the engagements in the North but most forget that the final two-thirds of the Revolution were fought in the South. Also we forget that Charleston was the equivalent of New York City or Philadelphia for the southern colonies.While Borick's writing is not the most exciting there is certain energy in his description of the siege and battles leading up to it. Great descriptions of the engagements and style of combat help the reader see the difference between battles in the South from those in the North.Overall; this book is a great historical work. It provides the reader with a good understanding of how the battle unfolded and the situation leading up the battle. Borick provides good descriptions of the major players as well. Finally; Charleston is a really great city with lots of great history; culture and architecture. Also Marion Square Park (it's down the block from the Charleston Museum on Meeting Street) is a lot of fun in the spring and summer months.