Page 58 - JM Book 9/2020

Rutledge’s letter that he had ordered the construction of a fort at the entrance of Charleston Harbor in order to defend the city of Charleston.
It became clear to King George and his military commanders that ending the conflict with the colonies would come at a high price after their costly but decisive victory at Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. They were anxious to find a less costly and more effective way to shorten the war. They believed the Southern colonies provided the best opportunity to achieve that goal, where British support was the strongest and American resistance was the weakest. They decided that a strong Southern offensive would bring the Southern colonies into submission, weaken the small Continental Army and increase the British ranks with Loyalist volunteers. The port cities of Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, were selected as the initial targets for the southern offensive.
The alarming news from South Carolina caused many congressmen to fear that Charleston would soon be under British control. This unprovoked military action increased the determination of many members of Congress to achieve total separation from the British crown as soon as possible.
After the two letters were read, President Hancock proceeded with the regular congressional business that included Congress passing the following measures:
• Approved the creation of six companies of riflemen for New York and four companies for Virginia and Maryland.
• Directed General Washington to send a complete list of all the army vacancies, and the names of officers he recommended to fill them.
• Approved the creation of four companies of Germans in Pennsylvania and four companies in Maryland.
• Voted to pay wagon master Robert Erwin $241 for three teams of horses he used to deliver powder to North Carolina; $532 to Doctor Frederic Phile for medicines and his service to the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion; $68 to John Bates for the purchase of camp kettles; $24 to Elizabeth Slaydon for nursing and boarding two soldiers; $5 to Rachel
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