On the 11th of July the fleet sailed to the bay of _Norwalk_. The troops landed on the following day and advanced against the town. "The FUSILIERS, supported by the light infantry of the guards, began the attack, and soon cleared the quarters--pushing the main body of the enemy and an hundred cavalry from the northern heights, and taking one piece of their cannon. After many of the salt-pans were destroyed, whale-boats carried away on board the fleet, and the magazines, stores, and vessels set in flames, with the greatest part of the dwelling-houses, the advanced-corps were drawn back, and the troops retired in two columns to the place of our first debarkation, and, unassaulted, took ship and returned to Huntingdon bay."[12] This expedition did not produce the desired effect in the movements of the American general. The troops were ordered to return to New York. Major-General Tyron stated in his despatch--"I should do injustice if I closed this report without giving every praise to the troops I had the honour to command."[13] The ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS lost five men in this expedition, and had three serjeants and nineteen men wounded. During the autumn of this year the operations of the army were limited to defensive measures; but in December an attack on the opulent province of South Carolina was determined on, and the ROYAL FUSILIERS formed a part of the force employed on this service, which was commanded by General Sir Henry Clinton. [Sidenote: 1780] The troops having embarked, the fleet and convoy sailed from New York on the 26th of December, and after experiencing much tempestuous weather, which separated the fleet and occasioned the loss of several transports, arrived at the Savannah about the end of January, 1780, and gained the harbour of North Edisto, on the coast of South Carolina, in February. The troops were immediately landed, and took possession of John's and James's Island, the ROYAL FUSILIERS taking post at Stono-ferry on John's Island. The passage of the Ashley River was effected on the 29th of March, and on the 1st of April the army besieged _Charlestown_. The works were carried on with perseverance and judgment, and, on the 11th of May, all things being ready for a general assault, the governor capitulated, and ten American regiments, with three battalions of artillery, and the town and county militia, became prisoners of war. The loss of the royal army in this siege was only seventy-six killed and one hundred and ninety wounded, including all ranks. The ROYAL FUSILIERS had one man killed and two wounded. [Sidenote: 1781]