USA > Georgia > A standard history of Georgia and Georgians > Part 39
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The republican constitution, as already referred to, was purely tem- porary in its character, and was intended merely as the forerunner to a more satisfactory instrument. With a view to realizing the ideas of its framers, by the formmulation of another and more complete consti- tution, which would be thoroughly adapted to the needs of the embattled republic, a convention for that important purpose was, accordingly, con- voked. The opening session of that distinguished body was held on the 1st of October, 1776, and for four months and more were its noteworthy deliberations uniterruptedly continued, its interesting labors being con- cluded on the 5th of the following February. In pursuance of the provisions of that admirable document, the parish system was abolished, and the sturdy counties of Chatham, Effingham, Burke, Liberty, Cam- den, Glynn, Richmond and Wilkes were installed in its stead. On the
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22d of February, 1777, President Bulloch received an additional mark of the public confidence, in his being requested "to take upon himself the whole executive powers of government." Not long did he survive the bestowal of those dictatorial honors; death coming suddenly within a few days to end the useful life of this beloved patriot. Button Gwin- nett was, on the 4th of March, chosen to succeed him in the office of president. When, in the following May, he was an aspirant for the same position, he suffered a mortifying defeat at the hands of his fearless competitor, John Adam Trentlen- the first freely elected chief magis- trate of the commonwealth. But grievous as was the former's disap- pointment, it was destined to be of short duration, as a week later he fell in a duel with his malignant enemy, Gen. Lachlan McIntosh. Thus died the brilliant and impulsive Button Gwinnett, one of the historic signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence, of whom much more might have been expected.
The year 1778 was fraught with gloom for the Georgia Sons of Lib- erty. For besides being, possibly, the darkest period in the American Revolution, the infant republic was fairly swarming with and overrun by the British soldiery. Late in November of that year, Colonel Fuser, with his vessels conveying some 500 troops, battering cannon, light ar- tillery and mortars, anchored off Colonel's Island. Debarkation having been effected, the hostile array commenced its march against undaunted Sunbury. Contemporaneously with the land movement, the armed ships sailed up the Midway River, and took position in front of Fort Morris and opposite the town. With the exception of that fort, which was held by Col. John McIntosh and 300 continentals, militia, and citizens, Sun- bury was unprotected. His dispositions being perfected, Fuser made de- mand for the immediate surrender of the work, his communication soon evoking the following characteristic response :
"Fort Morris, November 25, 1778.
"We acknowledge we are not ignorant that your army is in motion to reduce this State. We believe it entirely chimerical that Colonel Prevost is at the Meeting House ; but should it be so, we are in no degree apprehensive of danger from a junction of his army with yours. We have no property compared with the object we contend for which we value a rush, and would rather perish in a vigorous defense, than accept of your proposals. We, Sir, are fighting the battles of America, and, therefore, disdain to remain neutral till its fate is determined. As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply : Come And Take It.
"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
"JOHN MCINTOSH, "Colonel of Continental Troops."
Instead of accepting this manly invitation, Fuser soon afterwards raised the siege and retired. Subsequently, Sunbury fell into the hands of Gen. Augustine Prevost. The bold and patriotic answer of Colonel McIntosh, however, is worthy of perpetual preservation.
Late in December, 1778, the vessels conveying Lieut .- Col. Archibald Campbell's expeditionary force, specially designed for the capture of the capital of Georgia, made its appearance in the Savannah River. The
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troops under his eommand consisted of his majesty 's Seventy-first Regi- ment of foot, of two battalions of Hessians, of four battalions of provin- cials, and of a detachment of the Royal Artillery-in all comprising some 3,000 men. Landing, with slight opposition, at Girardeau's plan- tation-then about 112 miles from the town-on the 29th the battle for the retention of Savannah was fought, which culminated in a dis- astrous defeat for the Americans. In this unfortunate affair, the Geor- gians were heavy losers in every way. The loss of life was considerable, and a surprising number were taken prisoners; and, moreover, their valuable military accumulations fell into the hands of their victorious adversaries. Gen. Robert Howe was on this occasion charged with the defense of Savannah, and was severely criticised because of the un- reasonably easy defeat.
The British attention was now turned toward the capture of Augusta. 'Accordingly, about the middle of January, 1779, Colonel Campbell made his arrangements for putting that plan into execution. A thousand strong, he marched upon the place, which was guarded by General Wil- liamson, and a body of provineials. But though the partisan patriot leaders strove to stem the irresistible tide that appeared to be carrying everything before it, through the seeming treachery of Williamson Augusta was surrendered to the enemy without a struggle.
A month later, or on the 14th of February, 1779, a ray of light pierced the dark gloom of despondeney, and new hopes were placed in the breasts of the indefatigable revolutionists by their brilliant victory at Kettle Creek. As a consequence of the great enthusiasm aronsed by that splendid triumph, and the increased activity which was developed among the Americans in Upper Georgia, Colonel Campbell found it expedient to evacuate Augusta. This famous engagement was fought early on the morning of the eventful day. The combined forces of Colonels Pickens, Dooly, and Clarke were then in aetive pursuit of Colonel Boyd, who was intent upon a junetion with the infamous Tory offieer, Daniel MeGirth, on Little River.
As the patriots neared the camp of the Loyalists, who were seemingly unconseious of their coming, they devised an order of battle. A strong vanguard moved 150 paces in advance. The right and left wings, con- sisting each of 100 men, were, respectively, commanded by Colonels Dooly and Clarke; while the center, numbering 200 men, was led by Colonel Piekens. On their approach, the piekets fired and retreated. Hastily forming his line in rear of his eneampment, Colonel Boyd pre- pared to repel the assault. After aequitting himself with great bravery, he, with his immediate command, was overpowered and driven back upon the main body. In the retreat,, Boyd fell, mortally wounded. Upon this, the enemy, abandoning horses, baggage, and munition wagons, fled through the swamp, and reformed on the high ground beyond. Here the conflict, which was measurably sanguinary, was renewed. At length, the Americans gained complete possession of the hill; and the Loyalists, routed at all points, rapidly withdrew from the scene of aetion. They left some seventy of their number dead upon the field; while seventy-five were included among their wounded and captured. On the part of the revolutionists, nine were slain and twenty-three
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wounded. Colonel Clarke's gallantry and military sagacity, on this occasion, were worthy of all praise.
The defeat of General Ash, with his eight hundred troops, on Briar Creek, in the spring of 1779, is cursorily referred to. It was a most mortifying affair. Colonel Campbell resolved on his dislodgment, and for the effectuation of this, he utilized the services of 1,700 trained men- more than twice Ash's command. The battle was soon changed into an inglorious rout ; the gallant conduct of General Elbert, and his con- tingent, standing firm in the face of flying soldiers, redeeming the day. He fought until the means for prolonging the struggle had ceased to be available. The American loss in that engagement was 150, killed and drowned; and about 200 were wounded or captured: many of General Ash's force succeeding, by swimming, in escaping to South Carolina. The British casualties were only six killed and ten wounded.
With the ratification of the treaties of May 1, 1779, with the French sovereign, it was thought by many that the situation would be materially relieved. On the 1st of September of the same year, Count D'Estaing made his welcome appearance on the Georgia Coast. So unexpected was his eoming, that several English vessels were surprised and captured near the month of the Savannah River. Ten days later, his first debark- ation was effected; 1,200 of his best troops being successfully landed at Beaulieu. So eager was the Count to commence active operations that he decided to take the initiative, without awaiting the arrival of General Lincoln and his Americans. And so, on the 16th of September, he made formal demand on Gen. Augustine Prevost, commanding the British army, for the surrender of Savannah to the King of France. As a result of their correspondence, it was agreed that a truce of twenty- four hours' duration should be accorded.
WAR HILL: WHERE THE FAMOUS REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE OF KETTLE CREEK WAS FOUGHT .- Eight miles west of Washington is War Hill, the scene of the famous battle of Kettle Creek. Here, on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1779, a decisive victory by the Americans sounded the death-knell of Toryism in Upper Georgia. The ground on which this crucial engagement was fought has been acquired for memorial pur- poses by Kettle Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which patriotic organization, with the help of the United States Government, will furnish it with appropriate markers and preserve it for posterity as a monument to American valor. We quote the following description of the battle-ground from the pen of Miss Eliza Bowen, the accredited historian of Wilkes: "I have myself seen the battle-ground of Kettle Creek, which is on a plantation now belonging to Henry Slaton. There is a steep bluff on the south side of the creek, which is to this day called War Hill, by people living in the neighborhood. On the north side is a low meadow, beyond which, near the creek, is a swamp, part of which was then covered by a cane-brake. Boyd's men were killing bullocks and parehing corn when they unexpectedly heard the firing of pickets." According to Miss Bowen, the Americans, in this engagement, were only 500 strong, while there were not less than 700 men under Colonel Boyd. On the eve of the battle, Elijah Clarke camped in the neigh- borhood of what is now the Jordan burial-ground near Clarke's Station, where several of the members of his family were afterwards buried. The old soldier eventually acquired large bodies of land on Kettle Creek, and today all the original deeds and titles run back to him. It is said that for years it was not unusual for parties who were on the tramp through this section to pick up musket balls, old bayonets, old gun-barrels and other odd and curious relies, which recent hard rains had brought to the surface of the ground. As late as 1876 an old silver coin was found on the battlefield of Kettle Creek, which, according to last accounts, was owned by Henry Slaton.
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Bishop Stevens, in Volume II of his authoritative work, gives an excellent account of the battle of Kettle Creek. Says he: *
"The enemy having effected a passage into Georgia, Pickens and Dooly, now joined by Colonel Clarke, resolved to follow; and they accordingly erossed the Savan- nah on February 12, 1779, and camped the following night within four miles of the enemy. Forming the line of march in the order of battle, the Americans now pre- pared once more, at a great disadvantage of numbers, to contest with the Tories for the supremacy of Upper Georgia. Much depended on this battle. If Boyd should be sneeessful in driving back the Americans, under such men as Piekens and Dooly and Clarke, he might rest assured that no further molestation, at least for a very long time, would follow, and all would yield to the British power; while, on the other hand, should the Americans be successful, it would not only ernsh the Tory power, already so galling to the people, but protect them from further insult, and give a stimulus to American courage, which a long series of disasters made essential. It was a moment big with the fate of Upper Georgia.
"Boyd, with a carelessness evincing great lack of military skill and prudence, had halted on the morning of the 14th of February [1779], at a farm near Kettle Creek, in Wilkes County, having no suspicion of the near approach of the Americans, and his army was dispersed in various directions, killing and gathering stock, cooking and other operations. Having reconnoitered the enemy's position, the Americans, under Pickens, advanced in three divisions: the right under Colonel Dooly, the left under Colonel Clarke, and the center led by the commander himself, with orders not to fire a gun until within at least thirty paees. As the center, led by Pickens, marched to the attack, Boyd met them, at the head of a select party, his line being protected by a fence filled with fallen timber, which gave him a great advantage over the troops in his front. Observing this half-formed abatis, Pickens filed off to a rising ground on his right, and thenee gaining the flank of Boyd rushed upon him with great bravery-the enemy fleeing when they saw the leader shot down before them. He was sustained in this charge by Dooly and Clarke, and the enemy, after fighting with great bravery, retired across the ereek, but were rallied by Major Spurgen, on a hill beyond, where the battle was again renewed with fiereeness.
"But Colonel Clarke, with about fifty Georgians, having discovered a path leading to a ford, pushed through it, though in doing so he encountered a severe fire and his horse shot down under him, and, by a eireuitous route, rose upon the hill in the rear of Spurgen, when, opening a deadly fire, the enemy, hemmed in on both sides, fled, and were hotly pursued by the victors, until the conquest was complete. For an hour and a half, under great disadvantage, and against a foree almost double, had the Americans maintained the unequal contest, and, though once or twice it seemed as if they must give way, especially when the Tories had gained the hill, and were reinforced under Spurgen; yet the masterly stroke of Clarke, with his few brave Georgians, turned the seale, and victory, bloody indeed but complete, was ours. "
Capt. Hugh MeCall, who was present at the battle of Kettle Creek, thus describes the death of the famous Tory leader. Says he: "After the action was ended. Colonel Pickens went to Colonel Boyd and tendered him any services which his present situation would authorize, and observed that, since his wounds appeared to be mortal, he would recommend those preparations which approaching death re- quired. Boyd thanked him for his civilities and inquired the result of the battle. Upon being informed that vietory was with the Americans, he observed that it would have been otherwise if he had not fallen. He said that he had marched from his rendezvous with eight hundred inen, of which number one hundred were killed and wounded, or deserted at the Savannah River; and that on the morning of the action there were seven hundred men under his command. He had the promise of Colonei Campbell that MeGirth, with five hundred men, should join him at Little River, about six miles from the field of battle, on the same evening or on the ensuing day and he concluded by saying that he had but a few hours to live, and requested that Colonel Pickens would leave two men with him to furnish him with water and to bury him after he died; also that Colonel Pickens would write a letter to Mrs. Boyd to inform her of his fate, and therewith send her a few articles which he had
* William Bacon Stevens, in Vol. II. "History of Georgia, " New York, 1847. Vol. I-19
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about his person. He expired early in the night; and his requests of Colonel Pickens were faithfully complied with." * From the standpoint of an eyewitness, Captain MeCall further informs us in regard to this battle that Clarke and Dooly, who com- manded the two wings, had 100 men each and that Colonel Pickens, who led the center, had 250 men, thus making the odds four to seven in favor of the British; but it was nevertheless ordained that victory should perch upon the American arms .- "Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials and Legends, " L. L. Knight, Vol. I.
We are indebted to the thorough and exhaustive researches of Mrs. T. M. Green, of Washington, Georgia, for the most complete list which exists today of those who took part in the battle of Kettle Creek. It is a work of priceless historical value because it contains the names of Revolutionary ancestors from whom thousands of people today prominent throughout the South have sprung. Mrs. Greene has put under tribute every source of information within her reach, including the official records of Wilkes County, the "Historial Collections and Statistics of Georgia" by White, the old newspaper files of the state, together with manuscripts, letters, scrap-books and diaries preserved by families in Wilkes County since the earliest times. The list is as follows :
Elijah Clarke, John Dooly, Micajah Williamson, Hugh MeCall, George Dooly, Thomas Dooly, John Freeman, Daniel Freeman, Coldrop Freeman, Stephen Heard, Hallman Freeman, James Freeman, William Freeman, Barnard Heard, John Heard, Jesse Heard, Austin Dabney, James Williams, Samuel Whatley, Benjamin Wilkinson, Benjamin Hart, Morgan Hart, Naney Hart, Naney Darker, Elisha Wilkinson, John Nelson, Staples, Joe Phillips, Zachariah Phillips, James Little, Andrew Pickens of South Carolina, Joseph Pickens, John Clarke, Owen Fluker, John Fluker, Will Fluker, R. Sutton, Wylie Pope, William Pope, Henry Pope, Burwell Pope, Richard Tyner, Absalom Bedell, Benjamin Catchings, William Downs, Henry Manadne, Scott Redden, Joseph Scott Redden, George Redden, Jacob MeLendon, George Walton, a cousin of the Signers, Jesse Walton, John Walton, Nathaniel Walton, Robert Walton, Daniel Burnett, Ichabod Burnett, John Burnett, Richard Aycock, Robert Day, Joseph Day, John Gorham, Dionysius Oliver, Daniel Coleman, John Coleman, Thomas Stroud, James McLean, Jacob Ferrington, William Bailey, John Glass, Thomas Glass, Charles Beddingfield, William Harper, Robert Harper, John Crutch- field, Francis Triplett, James Alexander, John Candler, - Cade, - Bridges, Captain Anderson, Ambrose Beasley, Jeter Stubblefield, John Lamar, James Lamar, Zachariah Lamar, Basil Lamar, L. Williamson, - Saffold, - Finley, - John Hill, John Lindsey, William Morgan, William Terrell, John Colley, Nathan Smith, - Marbury, - Walker, - Combs, Stephen Evans, William Evans, John Evans, - Cosby, -- Foster, - Montgomery, James White, - Arnold, -- Truitt, - Snow, John Chandler .- Ibid. Vol. I.
ELIJAH CLARKE: THE BEDFORD FORREST OF THE REVOLUTION .- Stern and relent- less-a besom of destruction to the foes of liberty-Elijah Clarke was the most colossal figure of the Revolutionary war period in Georgia. He was only an un- lettered man of the frontier; but he possessed the rugged elements of strength which made him a leader in times of great stress. When the tocsin of war sounded, the genius of command arose within him; and, without waiting to receive a commission, he gathered about him a band of sturdy woodsmen, like himself, whom he trained for combat in the verdant arenas of the forest. During the dark days of the struggle for independence when Toryism, drunk with power, unloosed the furies of war upon the state, it was to this singular man of destiny that the whole of the up-country turned for deliverance as if by a sort of common instinct; and he became literally a pillar of fire in the wilderness. He gave the Tories no quarter; and backwoodsman though he was, his burly arm of strength was felt across the seas, where it planted the challenge of the Georgia forest on the very steps of the English throne.
Little is known of the early life of Elijah Clarke. Beyond the fact that he was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, in 1733, there is nothing definite to be gleaned from the records. Equally silent is the voice of history in regard to his lineage, though he is supposed to have been of Scotch-Irish extraction. The family located in what is now Wilkes, on the lands purchased by Governor Wright, in 1773,
* "History of Georgia," Vol. II, p. 399, reprinted, Atlanta, 1909.
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from the Indians. Since there were no formal grants made at the time, the settlers were free to locate where they chose, but they were forced by the exigencies of frontier life to fortify themselves against dispossession by exhibiting shot-gun titles. The Indians learned to dread the austere North Carolinan long before his sword was unsheathed against the red-coats of King George the Third.
It was in command of a body of horsemen that this bold knight of the up- country first appeared upon the scene in the opening drama of hostilities with England. We find him at this time guarding some wagons which were loaded with supplies for the little army at Savannah. Attacked by Indians while crossing a stream, a severe contest ensued, but the skirmish ended in the flight of the savages. Not long after this encounter, he joined General Howe in the latter's ill-timed expedition against St. Angustine and was severely wounded in the disastrous fight which followed. He then returned to his home in the up-country, where the deep solitude of the forest seemed to hide him, until the invasion of Georgia by the British, when first Savannah and then Angusta lowered the patriotic flag. To com- plete the subjugation of the state, a body of Tories under Colonel Boyd was dis- patched to take possession of the forts on the frontier.
But in the meantime Colonel Clarke was not idle. When word came of the fall of Savannah he knew what it meant. Georgia was soon to be overrun by her enemies. He was still nursing an old wound; but he no sooner heard the news than he reached for his sword which hung upon the walls of his cabin. At the same time he strapped his trusty rifle across his shoulders. Then committing his loved ones to the care of Providence, he mounted his horse and rode day and night over the country, gathering together his little band of patriots. At the head of his troops he then hastened to join Dooly and Pickens in bidding defiance to the invader. The two hostile armies met at Kettle Creek, not far from the present town of Washing- ton, where, by the shrewd foresight of Elijah Clarke, in seizing a strategie point in the enemy's rear, the tide of battle was turned in favor of the Americans. Colonel Boyd was mortally wounded, his army annihilated, and Toryism in Georgia for a season at least overthrown.
However, Colonel Innis, a Scotch loyalist, was soon dispatched to the frontier, giving rise to another series of engagements. For months, at the head of his little band of patriots, Clarke waged a guerilla warfare, spending most of his time in the swamps. He scarcely knew what it was during this period to sleep with a roof over his head. Often he was face to face with hunger. The weariness of exhaustion if not of discontent began to show itself in the haggard features of his troops. But in the end Innis was routed and, on to Augusta, Clarke led his victorious men of the woods. He knew that permanent peace could never come to the up-country until this stronghold was recovered. So, mustering strength for the decisive blow, he hurled himself against the town. Success was almost at hand. In fact, he was temporarily in possession, when the British garrison was unexpectedly re-enforced. The torture of Tantalus seized the backwoodsman at this sudden turn of affairs, but realizing the futility of further efforts in this direction, he withdrew to await future developments.
It was at this critical moment when Toryism was again threatening Upper Georgia that Elijah Clarke collected the helpless women and children of the Broad River settlement, and, with the aid of Col. William Candler, conveyed them over the moun- tains to the Watauga valley in the extreme northeast corner of Tennessee. This humane task having been successfully accomplished, he was soon hack in the midst of the fighting. Though not in actual command, it was Colonel Clarke, at the head of his Wilkes riflemen, who won the day in the battle of Blackstocks in South Carolina, by skillfully turning the enemy's flank. Again wounded at Long Cane he had scarcely recovered before he was seized by an attack of small-pox. But he was nevertheless on hand at the siege of Augusta, where the final consummation of his dream was realized in the hoisting above the fort of the triumphant American colors,
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