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In the autumn of 1778, Sir Henry Clinton sent the first and second battalions to Georgis under General Campbell. They arrived at Savannah on the 23rd December, and a few days later took part in an important battle in which the Americans were defeated with the loss of 600 men. During the engagement Lt.-Col. Cruger and his regiment, in conjunction with the British Light Infantry, gained the enemy's rear by a bye-path; their unexpected and impetuous charge threw the Americans into great confusion largely deciding the issue. In consequence of this victory, Savannah with all its stores, including seventy-one pieces of artillery and a quantity of ammunition, fell into the hands of the British.

In September following, Savannah was invested by the combined French and American forces. DeLancey's first and second battalions were with the defenders. Lt.-Col. Cruger was given charge of an important position and he repulsed the enemy in three several attacks. A fleet of transports had been sent from New York with reinforcements for the Savannah garrison, and Mrs. Cruger took passage in one of the vessels to join her husband. The fleet was separated by a tremendous storm, and the ship with Mrs. Cruger on board, being old and crazy, was given up by officers and crew as lost. She weathered the storm, however, only to be taken two days afterwards by a French man-of-war under command of the Count d'Estaign. The distinguished stranger took Mrs. Cruger on board his own ship and treated her with every kindness. The very next day the ship in which she had sailed from New York went to the bottom. During the siege of Savannah she remained on shipboard and heard every gun that was fired. Her anxiety for her husband's safety may readily be imagined. After the repulse of the allied French and Americans, Count d'Estaign generously sent Mrs. Cruger ashore under a flag of truce with all her possessions.