+ISVKME©W+ISVKME©W The Battle of Brier Creek 6IZSPYXMSREV];EV6IZSPYXMSREV];EV he Battle of Brier Creek was the pivotal encoun- Tter which decided the fate of Georgia for three years in the American Revolution. The disparity in 1 preparedness, military training, and intelligence 3 about the enemy’s movements gave a superior ad- 2 vantage to the King’s army. The British skillful battle 4 “Discovering Our Heritage maneuver encircling the Patriots, successful decoy and History” and surprise charge into the Patriots camp ensured 5 the British victory. The total rout of the Patriots re-es- tablished Georgia as a Royal Colony—the only one of the Thirteen American Colonies to do so --- until 6 the British were forced to evacuate in 1782. Battle of Col. Samuel Elbert, com- manding Georgia Continentals 7 MAp OF and Georgia Militia, made GEORGIA, 8 1778 one of the most gallant Brier Creek stands against overwhelm- ing odds during the Revo- lutionary War. After Patriot . March 3, 1779 , Gen. Ashe`s militia had been American Revolution in Georgia routed, Elbert, with his back 1 Elbert County – Fight at Van(n)’s Creek to Brier Creek and surrounded GPS: N34.162 W82.744 Brier Creek was the pivotal on the other sides, attempted to 2 Wilkes County – Battle of Kettle Creek encounter which re-established fight his way through the British lines. GPS: N33.691 W82.886 It was only after British reserves intervened that he Georgia as a Royal Colony. surrendered the remnants of his courageous com- 3 Lincoln County – Elijah Clarke & John Dooly: mand. Of the 150 Americans killed in the Battle of Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest Brier Creek more than half were Elbert`s men. His GPS: N33.856 W82.410 life was spared but he was captured and imprisoned 4 Augusta – Sieges of Augusta and Revolutionary for two years. When exchanged, he took part in the Capital of Georgia GPS: N33.476 W81.964 Battle of Yorktown where he was promoted to Gen- eral. After the Revolutionary War in 1785, Samuel 5 Screven County -- Battle of Brier Creek Elbert was elected Governor of Georgia. GPS: N32.811 W81.466 Samuel Elbert, courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Library, University 6 Savannah -- Battles of Savannah, of Georgia Libraries. Royal & Revolutionary Capital of Georgia GPS: N32.076 W81.100 The Battle of Brier Creek Historical Mark- er is located off Brannen Bridges Road in 7 Liberty County – Sunbury, Fort Morris & Midway the Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area, in GPS: N31.764 W81.279 Screven County, Georgia. 8 St. Simons Island –Frederica Naval Action Annual Celebration of GPS: N31.224 W81.393 Battle of Brier Creek www.grwt.gassar.org Saturday prior to March 3rd Georgia Society Sons “Battle Site” Screven County, GA of the American Revolution GPS: N32.811 W81.466 Design – Ed Fluker, GASSAR Map compiled by Clyde Hollingsworth, 1953 were formed with much confusion. The New Bern N.C. Militia was to the left against Battle of BURTON’S FERRY Brier Creek with Col. Samuel Elbert and his Conti- nentals in the center and the Edenton N.C. Militia Brier Creek to the right. Seventy yards behind were the Hali- fax and Wilmington N.C. Militia. Facing the Patri- ots were Sir James Baird’s Light Infantry on the left, . , March 3, 1779 High- Prevost’s 2nd Battalion 71st Highland Regiment in n the fall of 1778, British Lord Germain directed landers the center, and Carolina Loyalists to the right. The ISir Henry Clinton to subdue the Carolinas and up the Florida Grenadiers, Light Dragoons and Rangers Georgia. His “Southern Strategy” was based on the River Road were in the rear. Royal Governors’ statements that Loyalist militia as a diversion. The British opened with artillery fire into the Pa- could be recruited to return these Colonies to the Prevost with triots’ center. Ashe ordered Elbert forward and to Crown. Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell was dispatched over 1,000 the left within thirty yards of the Highlanders, but this from New York to Savannah which he captured on men reached movement cut off many in the New Bern Militia. The December 29, 1778. Campbell then proceeded to Paris Mill on Edenton Militia advanced, but with the threat of be- Augusta to recruit Loyalists in the back country. Af- the morning of ing flanked, opened a gap in the center. The High- ter realizing limited success and fearing the gath- March 2, after a landers surged into the gap with a bayonet charge, ering Patriot forces, in mid-February, he decided long all-night forced march. Finding and the Patriot militia began to break and run in a to retreat to Hudson’s Ferry on the Savannah River the bridge destroyed by the Patriots, disorderly retreat. Almost alone, Elbert’s men stood in Effingham (current Screven) County. Campbell Prevost used materials from the Paris and fought, pressed against Brier Creek. So fiercely learned of Lt. Col. Boyd’s defeat at Kettle Creek house and flatboats and completed did these Georgians fight, the British had to bring when Maj. William Spurgen and other survivors re- the crossing on the morning of March 3, up reserves that quickly overwhelmed Elbert’s men. joined his forces. about fifteen miles above Ashe’s camp. Elbert was knocked to the ground by a Highlander Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, Continental Army When Ashe returned from Lincoln’s war council for dispatch by bayonet, but was saved by a British Southern Department Commander, developed a on March 2, he ordered a path cleared to Matthew’s officer after making the Masonic sign of distress. plan to retake Savannah and secure Georgia. Lincoln Bluff to aid Rutherford’s crossing and received word Ashe pursued his retreating troops on horse- ordered Gen. John Ashe’s North Carolina Militia to from scouts who had no knowledge of Prevost’s back in an attempt to rally them, but to no avail, rebuild the Freeman- Miller Bridge at Brier Creek in forces at Paris Mill. During the morning of March and escaped at Matthew’s Bluff with many others. Burke (current Screven) County and await reinforce- 3, Ashe sent Maj. John Ross with 300 dragoons to The total dead on the Patriot side were at least ments. On February 27, Gen. Ashe with 1,300 men assess the British forces at Hudson’s Ferry which 150 with over 200 captured, including Col. Elbert arrived at the bridge, and was immediately sum- Ashe intended to attack as soon as Rutherford’s and Lt. Col John McIntosh. An unknown number moned to a council of war at nearby Black Swamp by reinforcements arrived. Ross discovered the British were drowned attempting to cross the river. Col. Gen. Lincoln. Gen. Rutherford at Black Swamp and had moved north, but did not report it to Ashe. John Dooly and his Wilkes County Militia arrived Gen. Andrew Williamson near Augusta were ordered As Prevost moved south on the River Road to- on March 4, and buried the Patriot dead most likely by Lincoln to join Ashe at Brier Creek and launch an ward Ashe’s camp on March 3, he encountered in a mass grave. The British only lost five men with offensive to drive the British back to Savannah. scouts and took them prisoner. Late in the after- eleven wounded. At Hudson’s Ferry, Campbell relinquished his noon, Prevost’s men skirmished with the forward Following the Battle, Lt. Col. Prevost was made command to Lt. Col. Mark Prevost, who was the line of Ashe’s pickets and gunfire was heard in the acting Royal Governor of Georgia until Sir James brother of Maj. Gen. Augustine Prevost, Commander Patriot camp. An express rider galloped in to inform Wright’s return to Savannah. Patriot Gen. Ashe was of the British Southern forces. Realizing the urgency Ashe of the imminent attack by the British coming acquitted at court martial but was censured for his of rapid deployment, Campbell instructed Prevost down the road six abreast. Ashe ordered the beat failure to prepare his soldiers against attack. to immediately proceed northwestward to Paris to arms, but cartridges had not been issued and Prepared by Rabun A. (Alex) Lee, Mill Creek Chapter, Mill, cross Brier Creek and attack Ashe from the rear. men grabbed what they could. Many guns had the and edited by Bill Ramsaur, Marshes of Glynn Chapter, Campbell also directed Maj. Duncan McPherson’s wrong bore for the ammunition, and battle lines Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution, .