6. At length the British forces were directed again toward the south. On December 29th, General Robert Howe was driven from Savannah by General Prevost, on which occasion the Second Regiment of Continentals was confronted by a regiment of North Carolina Tories under Colonel John Hamilton. Howe and his command were transferred to West Point, on the Hudson River, of which important post he was soon commander, with the rank of Major-General. 1779. 7. After 1778 the courts were fully established, and Judges Ashe, Iredell and Spencer held terms at Wilmington and at five other towns twice a year. Waightstill Avery, as Attorney-General, was busy in trials for treason against the State. There were many men who yet labored to restore the King's authority, and against them was needed all the vigilance possible, both in the courts and at military headquarters. 8. More than three years of the war had passed away without serious disaster to North Carolina. No invaders disturbed her borders, and beyond the grief for friends slain in battle, there was cause for gratitude to God that so few evils of the war had yet visited the State. 9. General Washington had evinced such nobility of soul and great military capacity that all American hearts were soon filled with love and admiration. With far-seeing wisdom, he was patiently biding his time to strike his enemies, and in foreign lands other great soldiers were applauding the mingled caution and boldness of his military movements. QUESTIONS. 1. Where were the North Carolina troops at this time? What was the condition of Washington's army? 2. How were the Continental troops benefited by an order of Sir William Howe? 3. What battle was fought on September 11th, 1777? 4. On what battle field did the North Carolina troops specially distinguish themselves on October 4th? Relate the circumstances. 5. How did General Nash and his troops suffer on this occasion? 6. What occurred at Savannah on December 29th, 1778? To what place was General Howe then transferred? 7. When were the courts of North Carolina fully established? Can you tell something of the judicial system in that period? 8. For what had North Carolina cause to be grateful? 9. What is said of General Washington? CHAPTER XXX. STONY POINT AND CHARLESTON. A. D. 1779 TO 1780. The capture of Savannah caused uneasiness in all the Southern States. It was seen at once that Georgia was but a starting point in a general scheme of transferring hostilities from the north. Early in 1779, General John Ashe reached Charleston with two or more brigades of militia. These were hurried off, at the importunate demand of the Governor of South Carolina, to attack the British at Augusta.