Kettle Creek 5 Occurred

Georgia’sGeorgia’s 17 17 5 5 8 8 Marking the Kettle RevolutionaryRevolutionary War 7 7 3 3 7 7 Creek Battleground 1 1 n 1900, shortly after the Washington Chapter, 1 IDaughters of the American Revolution was char- 2 3 tered, members purchased 4 “Discovering Our Heritage twelve and one-half acres, including War Hill where and History” the Battle of Kettle Creek 5 occurred. The United States War Department appropriated funds to cre- 6 Battle of ate a Monument which was unveiled on June 6, 1930, 7 MAP OF with a program that elic- GEORGIA, ited national recognition. 8 1778 Kettle Creek In Hearst’s Sunday American, a review of the “ Kettle Creek February 14, 1779 monument dedication Battlefield Monument” reported, “The historical American Revolution in Georgia “Kettle Creek was the severest check and old town of Washington Information on the effort to preserve the historic 1 Elbert County – Fight at Van(n)’s Creek chastisement the Tories ever received Wilkes has renewed its Kettle Creek Battlefield GPS: N34.162 W82.744 interest in the events and can be found at in South Carolina or Georgia.” traditions which have sur- http://www. 2 Wilkes County – Battle of KettleCreek – Colonel Andrew Pickens kettlecreekbattlefield.com rounded it since Colonial GPS: N33.691 W82.886 days. It has become again a matter of real pride that 3 Lincoln County – Elijah Clarke & John Dooly: there was one spot in Georgia utterly unconquer- Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest able in the days of 1776… .” GPS: N33.856 W82.410 After the 200th Anniversary Celebration in 1979, Kettle Creek DAR conveyed the Battleground to Wil- 4 Augusta – Sieges of Augusta and Revolutionary kes County. Since 1998, the Georgia Society Sons of Capital of Georgia GPS: N33.476 W81.964 the American Revolution have sponsored a Battle- 5 Screven County -- Battle of Brier Creek ground Memorial Ceremony with Continental Soldiers GPS: N32.811 W81.466 and Militia, Battle Flags, Musket Salutes and Wreath Presentations, along with Battleground Tours and 6 Savannah -- Battles of Savannah, Battle Portrayal. Several Washington- Wilkes organiza- Royal & Revolutionary Capital of Georgia tions participate in the Parade and Living History dem- GPS: N32.076 W81.100 onstrations held annually in the historic Washington 7 Liberty County – Sunbury, Fort Morris & Midway Town Square, during the second weekend in February GPS: N31.764 W81.279 in a celebration called “Revolutionary Days.” 8 St. Simons Island –Frederica Naval Action Annual Celebration of GPS: N31.224 W81.393 Battle of Kettle Creek www.gasocietysar.org Kettle Creek Battleground “Revolutionary Days” Wilkes County, Georgia, ten miles Georgia Society Sons 2nd Weekend in February from Washington off SR 44 of the American Revolution Washington, Wilkes County, GA GPS: N33.691 W82.886 stream, called Kettle Creek -- less than a mile from the American Revolution. More importantly, it dem- Carr’s Fort. The horses were turned out to graze onstrated considerable flaws in the British Southern Battle of and men were slaughtering stolen cattle in a flat Strategy and helped suppress further rallying of Loy- area between a steep hill and Kettle Creek. alists in the South at a crucial time in the War. Following Boyd, Pickens had re-crossed the Sa- Kettle Creek vannah, and circled back into Wilkes County. Out- numbered more than two to one, Pickens attacked More Fighting . February 14, 1779 , with his men in the center, Dooly on his right, and Clarke on the left. Boyd’s pickets on the hill fired on in the Hornet’s Nest n early 1779, Georgia was under British control, the Patriot advance guard led by Capt. James McCall, About a year after the Battle of Kettle Creek on Iexcept for Wilkes County which the British called and gave alarm to the surprised Loyalists below. January 23, 1780, the Georgia Commons House of the “Hornet’s Nest.” Encouraged by the capture of Assembly passed an act declaring the “Town at the Savannah, British Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell or- Court house in Wilkes County which shall be called dered Loyalist Col. (James or John) Boyd to raise Washington.” During 1780 and 1781, Heard’s Fort a large force in the Carolinas, and then with Major near Washington became the temporary Revolu- John Hamilton rally additional Loyalists in Wilkes tionary Capital when Stephen Heard served as County. As Boyd crossed South Carolina, his ranks Governor. swelled to over 700 Loyalist militia. After the British occupied Augusta in June It was early in February, when Col. Andrew Pick- 1780, they frequently sent raiders into Wilkes ens with about 200 South Carolina militia and Col. County where Patriots’ homes were burned and John Dooly and Lt. Col. Elijah Clarke with about many held prisoner while their relatives were away 160 Wilkes County Georgia Militia joined forces to Clarke and Dooly became bogged down in fighting. One band of Loyalists brutally murdered pursue Hamilton. They caught up with him at Carr’s swampy land on both flanks and provided limited John Dooly in his home; and Stephen Heard’s wife Fort in Wilkes County, but as the siege continued, support for Pickens’ attack. Boyd directed Maj. Wil- and child died from exposure in a snowstorm after Pickens learned of Boyd’s movements. Consider- liam Spurgen to move most of the Loyalists across their cabin was burned. Elijah Clarke had to lead ing Boyd more important than Hamil- the swollen creek, and then Boyd personally led seven hundred men, women and children with lim- ton, Pickens led the Patriots back into about 100 men up the hill to hold off Pickens. When ited rations over two hundred miles into the Caro- South Carolina. three shots tore into Boyd, he fell mortally wounded; lina mountains for refuge. After his recruiting efforts, Boyd his troops panicked and fled toward the creek. In September 1780, Elijah Clarke was forced attempted to cross the Savan- Spurgen crossed the creek and regrouped the to leave behind many wounded when he ended nah River at Cherokee Ford, but Loyalists where fighting became very intense for the Siege of Augusta. Thirteen were hanged by the Patriot Capt. Robert Anderson over an hour. Clarke, freed from the swamp, was able Loyalists, but this was considered merciful when manned a small fortification to enter the fight with Spurgen during which Clarke’s compared with the fate of others turned over to and thwarted Boyd’s approach. horse was shot; but quickly mounted another. the Indians. Twenty-one were held in irons in Au- Boyd moved upstream and on The Loyalists were routed with a loss of 70 killed gusta for several months February 11, was able to cross at or wounded, and 150 captured. Boyd died on the In May1781, the Wilkes County Militia assem- Van(n)’s Creek, although opposi- battlefield a few hours later. The Patriots reported 9 bled for the last time and helped drive the British tion by Patriot militia weakened killed and 23 wounded or missing. Several Loyalist from Augusta. One year later the British evacuated his forces by about 100 men. prisoners were later convicted of treason and five Savannah and in September 1783, The Treaty of Crossing the Broad River on hanged, but the rest were pardoned. Spurgen was Paris was signed, ending the War for American In- February 13, Boyd camped able to escape with about 270 men and rejoin Lt. dependence. that night not far from present- Col. Campbell, the remainder probably returned to Prepared by Steven J. Rauch, US Army Signal day Washington. Mid-morn- their homes. Center Historian, Fort Gordon , GA. and LTC (R) ing on Sunday, February 14, Although the Battle of Kettle Creek was small Robert F. Galer, Coweta Falls Chapter; Edited by Boyd halted his troops for in terms of terrain and the number involved, it was Bill Ramsaur, Marshes of Glynn Chapter , Georgia breakfast beside a flooded one of Georgia’s most memorable victories during Society Sons of the American Revolution .

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