Then followed a singular chain of events. Ever since hostilities
had begun, in 1775, the revolutionary party had been dominant in
the South. Yet now again in 1779 the British flag floated over
the capital of Georgia. Some rejoiced and some mourned. Men do
not change lightly their political allegiance. Probably Boston
was the most completely revolutionary of American towns. Yet even
in Boston there had been a sad procession of exiles who would not
turn against the King. The South had been more evenly divided.
Now the Loyalists took heart and began to assert themselves.
When the British seemed secure in Georgia bands of Loyalists
marched into the British camp in furious joy that now their day
was come, and gave no gentle advice as to the crushing of
rebellion. Many a patriot farmhouse was now destroyed and the
hapless owner either killed or driven to the mountains to live as
best he could by hunting. Sometimes even the children were shot
down. It so happened that a company of militia captured a large
band of Loyalists marching to Augusta to support the British
cause. Here was the occasion for the republican patriots to
assert their principles. To them these Loyalists were guilty of
treason. Accordingly seventy of the prisoners were tried before a
civil court and five of them were hanged.
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