USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia, Volume II > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Early in the evening the horses and baggage of the British were brought off, and every avenue of escape was occluded. The same afternoon the fort was summoned to a surrender. While refusing to accede to this summons Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton requested that the women and children within the stockade might be allowed to depart. This application was denied. Without food and water it was confidently believed that the enemy could not hold out more than twenty-four hours. Moreover, the posses- sion of the log house near the water gave the assailants com- mand of the tops of the huts inside the fort whence the most injurious fire proceeded. The happy anticipations of the Amer- icans were doomed to disappointment. About ten o'clock at night Colonel Pickens received, at the hands of Captain Ottery, a dispatch from his brother, Captain Joseph Pickens, informing him that Colonel Boyd, with eight hundred loyalists, was moving through Ninety-Six District toward Georgia, destroying by fire VOL. II. 22
mوق المحيا السالم
1
5
-
T
338
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
and sword whatever lay in his path. It was deemed proper, without delay, to raise the siege and move against Boyd. A proposition was made by some volunteers to apply the torch to the fort at several points at the same time, and thus to compel quick surrender. In tender consideration of the women and children who were within, the idea was abandoned. Carrying off their wounded, the Americans departed leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton in the fort without horses and baggage. As soon as Pickens and Dooly were out of hearing, he quitted Carr's Fort, retreating upon Wrightsborough, where he occupied a small stockade fort for a few days and then rejoined Colonel Campbell at Augusta. In the affair at Carr's Fort the British lost nine killed and three wounded. The American casualties amounted to five killed and seven wounded.
Retiring from Carr's Fort the Americans recrossed the Savan- nah River near Fort Charlotte and advanced toward the Long Cane settlement to meet Colonel Boyd. Hearing of his advance, Captain Robert Anderson, of Colonel Pickens' regiment, sum- moning to his aid Captains Joseph Pickens, William Baskin, and John Miller, with their companies, crossed the Savannah River with a view to annoying Boyd when he should attempt the pas- sage of that stream. He was subsequently joined by some Geor- gians under Captain James Little. This accession increased his force so that he had, present for duty, nearly one hundred men. In order to avoid Pickens and Dooly, Colonel Boyd changed his route and approached the river at the Cherokee ford. Here, upon a commanding elevation, was a block house mounting two swivel guns and garrisoned by a lieutenant and eight men. A quiet passage having been demanded and refused, Boyd pro- ceeded up the river about five miles, and there placing his men and baggage on rafts, and swimming his horses, effected a cross- ing. His instructions to his men were to land at different points on the opposite shore. This circumstance, in connection with the tall canes growing along the river kank, so confused the small force under Captain Anderson that it did not render an opposi- tion as effectual as might have been expected. That the passage of the river was sharply contested, however, will be readily con- ceded when we remember that the Americans lost sixteen killed and wounded and an equal number of prisoners. Among the latter were Captains Baskin and Miller. Colonel Boyd acknowl- edged a loss of one hundred killed, wounded, and missing.
Retreating rapidly, Captain Anderson formed a junction with
1
-
I
L
,
.
7
339
BATTLE OF KETTLE CREEK.
Colonels Pickens and Dooly and united in the pursuit of the enemy. On the 12th of February, passing the Savannah River at the Cedar shoal, the Americans advanced to the Fish Dam ford, on Broad River. The command had now been reinforced by Colonel Clarke and one hundred dragoons. Captain Neal, with a party of observation, was detached to hang upon the en- emy's rear, and, by frequent couriers, keep the main body well advised of Boyd's movements.
Shaping his course to the westward, and purposing a junction with McGirth at a point agreed upon on Little River, the enemy on the morning of the 13th crossed Broad River, near the fork, at a place subsequently known as Webb's Ferry. Informed of this movement, the Americans passed over Broad River and en- camped for the night on Clarke's Creek, within four miles of the loyalists. Early on the morning of the 14th the Americans advanced rapidly but cautiously. Wherever the surface of the country permitted, their line of march was the order of battle. A strong vanguard moved one hundred and fifty paces in front. The right and left wings, consisting each of one hundred men, were commanded respectively by Colonels Dooly and Clarke. The centre, numbering two hundred men, was led by Colonel Pickens. Officers and men were eager for the fray and coufi- dent of victory. Soon the ground was reached where the enemy had encamped during the preceding night.
Seemingly unconscious of the approach of danger, the loyalist commander had halted at a farm on the north side of Kettle Creek, and turned out his horses to forage among the reeds which lined the edge of the swamp. His men, who had been on short allowance for three days, were slaughtering bullocks and parching corn. Colonel Boyd's second officer was Lieuten- ant-Colonel Moore, of North Carolina, who is said to have been deficient both in courage and in military skill. The third in command, Major Spurgen, was brave and competent.
As Colonel Pickens neared the enemy, Captain McCall was ordered to reconnoitre his position, and, unperceived, to acquire the fullest possible information of the status of affairs. Hav- ing completed his observations, that officer reported the encamp- ment formed at the edge of the farm near the creek, on an open piece of ground flanked on two sides by a cane swamp, and that the enemy was apparently in utter ignorance of any hostile ap- proach. The Americans then advanced to the attack. As they neared the camp the pickets fired and retreated. Hastily form-
.
1
-
340 .
TIIE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
ing his line in rear of his encampment, and availing himself of the shelter afforded by a fence and some fallen timber, Boyd prepared to repel the assault. Colonel Pickens, commanding the American centre, obliqued a little to the right to take advantage of more commanding ground. The right and left divisions were somewhat embarrassed in forcing their way through the cane, but soon came gallantly into position. Colonel Boyd defended the fence with great bravery, but was finally overpowered and driven back upon the main body. While retreating he fell mor- tally wounded, pierced with three balls, two passing through his body and the third through his thigh.
The conflict now became close, warm, and general. Some of the enemy, sore pressed, fled into the swamp and passed over the creek, leaving their horses, baggage, and arms behind them.
After a contest lasting an hour the Tories retreated through the swamp. Observing a rising ground on the other side of the creek and in rear of the enemy's right on which he thought the loyalists would attempt to form, Colonel Clarke, ordering the left wing to follow him, prepared to cross the stream. At this moment his horse was killed under him. Mounting another, he followed a path which led to a ford and soon gained the side of the hill, just in time to attack Major Spurgen who was en- deavoring to form his command upon it. He was then accom- panied by not more than a fourth of his division, there having been some mistake in extending the order. The firing, however, soon attracted the attention of the rest of his men, who rushed to his support. Colonels Pickens and Dooly also pressed through the swamp and the battle was renewed with much vigor on the other side of the creek. Bloody and obstinate was the conflict. For some time the issue seemed doubtful. At length the Ameri- cans obtained complete possession of the hill ; and the enemy, routed at all points, fled from the scene of action leaving seventy of their number dead upon the field, and seventy-five wounded and captured. On the part of the Americans nine were slain and twenty-three wounded. To Colonel Clarke great praise is due for his foresight and activity in cop prehending and check- ing, at its earliest stage, the movement of the loyalists beyond the swamp. Had they succeeded in effecting a permanent lodg- ment upon the hill, the fortunes of the day would have proved far otherwise. This engagement lasted for one hour and forty- five minutes, and during most of that time was hotly contested.
As the guard having charge of the prisoners captured when
0
341
DEATII OF COLONEL BOYD.
Boyd crossed the Savannah River heard of the disaster which had overtaken the main body, they voluntarily surrendered themselves, thirty-three in number, to those whom they held in captivity, promising, if allowed to return in peace to their homes, to take the oath of allegiance to the government of the Confederated States.
The battle ended, Colonel Pickens waited upon Colonel Boyd and tendered him every relief in his power. Thanking him for his civility, the loyalist chief, disabled by mortal wounds and yet brave of heart, inquired particularly with regard to the result of the engagement. When told that the victory rested entirely with the Americans, he asserted that the issue would have been different had he not fallen. During the conversation which en- sued he stated that he had set out upon this march with eight hundred men. In crossing the Savannah River he sustained a loss of one hundred in killed, wounded, and missing. In the present action, he had seven hundred men under his command. His expectation was that McGirth with five hundred men would form a junction with him on Little River either that very after- noon or on the ensuing morning. The point named for this union of forces was not more than six miles distant from the place where this battle had been fought. Alluding to his own condition he remarked that he had but a few hours to live, and requested Colonel Pickens to detail two men to furnish him with water and to inter his body after death. Delivering to that officer certain articles of value which he had upon his person, he asked the favor that they be forwarded to his wife with a letter ac- quainting her with the circumstances of his demise and burial. These dying injunctions were carefully observed. He was a corpse before morning.
Dispirited by the loss of their leader, and stunned by the heavy blow which had fallen upon them in an unexpected mo- ment, the followers of this dangerous chieftain scattered in various directions. Some fled to Florida ; others betook them- selves to the Creek nation ; others still sought refuge among the Cherokees ; others returned to their homes and craved mercy at the hands of the patriots ; while a remnant, under the command of Colonel Moore, numbering some two hundred, retreated to Augusta.
Dismayed at the defeat which had overtaken Colonel Boyd, and pausing not to retrieve the fortunes of the day, McGirth fled precipitately to Augusta and rejoined the forces under Colonel
-
V
. 342
, THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Campbell. The prisoners captured at Kettle Creek were carried to South Carolina, tried, found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death. Only five of the most noted offenders were executed. The others were pardoned. Departing from the field of action the Americans encamped for the night in a locality near the present town of Washington and, on the 15th, recrossed the Savannah River. In the affair at Carr's Fort and in the engage- ment at Kettle Creek the Americans possessed themselves of some six hundred horses and a large quantity of arms, equip- ments, and clothing. This accession to the scanty stores of the patriots was most opportune and valuable. In the general gloom which was encompassing all, this victory shone like a star of substantial hope, dissipating despair and enkindling confidence in the hearts of the Revolutionists. From the banks of this in- significant stream, rendered historic by the prowess of Pickens, Dooly, Clarke, and their valiant followers, there arose a mar- tial shout which proclaimed the restoration of Whig ascendency in Upper Georgia and the discomfiture of the Royalist coliorts. With no uncertain sound did the bugle-blasts then blown sum- mon to further feats of patriotic emprise, and admonish the king's officers that Georgia was not wholly within their grasp.
This battle was quickly followed by movements which, al- though partial in their character, indicated that the love of liberty and the spirit of resistance were abroad in the land. Advancing with a portion of his brigade and some of the Georgia militia, General Andrew Williamson encamped not far from Augusta, on the Carolina side of the Savannah River. Colonel Leonard Mar- bury, with fifty dragoons and a body of militiamen, took post near Brownsborough. Colonel John Twiggs, having assembled the militia of Richmond County and passed in rear of the British occupying Augusta, surprised one of their outposts at Herbert's, where seventy men were stationed. In the assault several of the assailed were killed and wounded and the rest forced to an un- conditional surrender.
A reconnoitring party of twenty of the king's rangers, under the command of Captain Whitley and Lieutenants Mckenzie and Hall, was sent to Brownsborough to ascertain if there was an American force assembling in that quarter. Through his scouts obtaining information of Whitley's position and force, Colonel Marbury detached Captain Cooper with twelve dragoons to gain the enemy's rear while he advanced in front. So rapidly did Cooper execute this order that he surprised Whitley and his
U
343
PARTISAN EXPLOITS.
party at dinner, and captured the whole of them before Colonel Marbury came up. Hall, who was a native of South Carolina, had formerly been in the American service. While in command of a small fort on the frontier of that State he treacherously sur- rendered it to the Cherokee Indians, and permitted, without re- monstrance, every man, woman, and child within its walls to be butchered by the savages. He was now sent to the jail at Ninety-Six for safe keeping. In due season he was tried, found guilty of treason, and condemned to be hung. The death pen- alty was visited upon him on the 17th of April. He miserably perished, confessing his crimes and acknowledging the justice of his sentence.1
In the disturbed state of affairs, instances of personal daring and hairbreadth escapes were not infrequent. Desirous of ac- quiring a definite knowledge of the force and position of the en- emy in Augusta, General Elbert sent Lieutenant Hawkins to obtain the necessary information. While nearing an outpost he was overtaken at Bear Swamp by three Tories. To avoid them was impossible. Advancing resolutely towards them, he inquired who they were and whither they were going. The answer was that they were on their way to join Colonel Daniel McGirth. Hawkins, who was wearing an old British uniform, responded that he was McGirth ; that he believed they were rebels, and that he should proceed to hand them over to his party, near at hand. They protested to the contrary, and, to demonstrate the truth of their assertion, at Hawkins' suggestion, placed their rifles upon the ground and held up their right hands. As they did this, Lieutenant Hawkins advanced upon them with pistols cocked and presented. Taking up their rifles, he ordered them to march in front of him, threatening to shoot the first who at- tempted to turn. In this manner did he conduct them to the American camp.2
The Tories in Upper Georgia having been completely routed, and the Americans daily becoming more formidable in numbers and pronounced in their demonstrations, Colonel Campbell de- termined to evacuate his advanced position at Augusta. Ac- cordingly, late in February, he commenced his retreat, which did not terminate until he reached Hudson's ferry on the Savannah River, where Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost had constructed a forti- fied camp and mounted some field artillery. In the end, so sud-
1 Sce McCall's History of Georgia, vol.
ii. pp. 194-205. Savannah. 1816.
2 See Stevens' History of Georgia, vol. ii. p. 193. Philadelphia. 1859.
1
a to
844
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
denly did he quit Augusta that he paused not to destroy a con- siderable quantity of provisions which he had there accumulated. During this retrograde movement he was much annoyed by the Americans, who, in small bodies, harassed his command in flank and rear.
.
CHAPTER XVIII.
FRUITLESS EFFORT TO COMPASS AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. - PREVOST INVADES SOUTH CAROLINA. - HE IS DRIVEN BACK. - POSITION OF THE AMERICAN FORCES. - A COUNCIL OF WAR, CONVENED BY GENERAL LINCOLN, RECOMMENDS AN ADVANCE FOR THE RELIEF OF GEORGIA. - COLONEL CAMPBELL RESOLVES TO THWART THIS MOVEMENT. - MAJOR McPHERSON AND LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PREVOST DETACHED TO SURPRISE GENERAL ASH IN THE ANGLE FORMED BY THE CONFLUENCE OF BRIER CREEK AND THE SAVANNAHI RIVER. - DEFEAT OF THE AMERICANS. - GENERAL ASI'S DISPATCHI TO GENERAL LINCOLN. - GENERAL MOUL- TRIE'S COMMENTS. - GALLANTRY OF GENERAL ELBERT. - GENERAL ASH'S CONDUCT INVESTIGATED BY A COURT OF INQUIRY. - STRENGTH AND POSI- TION OF THE ENEMY. - COMMISSIONERS TAKE POSSESSION OF CAPTURED AND ABANDONED REBEL PROPERTY. - PICKENS, DOOLY, CLARKE, FEW, HAMMOND, AND ROSS DEFEAT THE CREEK INDIANS LED BY TATE AND McGILLIVRAY, - CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN GALLEYS CONGRESS AND LEE. - WRETCHED TREATMENT OF AMERICAN PRISONERS. - LINCOLN AGAIN CONTEMPLATES A MOVEMENT FOR THE RELIEF OF GEORGIA. - IIIS PURPOSE DELAYED BY PREVOST'S DEMONSTRATION AGAINST CHARLES- TOWN. - DR. RAMSAY'S ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH DEPREDATIONS. - EXPLOIT OF CAPTAIN SPENCER. - COLONEL TWIGGS DEFEATS CAPTAIN MULLER. - MAJOR BAKER PUTS CAPTAIN GOLDSMITH TO FLIGHT. - ROB- ERT SALLETTE. - McGIRTH ROUTED BY COLONEL TWIGGS AT LOCKHART'S PLANTATION.
MOVED by the sufferings and the privations to which American prisoners were subjected, and anxious to alleviate the miseries of all who were confined both on land and in ships, General Lincoln addressed a communication to Colonel Campbell, then en route for Augusta, proposing a conference at Zubly's ferry with a view to arranging a cartel for the exchange of prisoners, and the parole of commissioned officers pending the consummation of that contemplated exchange. Consent for a negotiation having been signified by the British commander, Lieutenant-Colonel James M. Prevost was nominated on the part of the English au- thorities to confer on this subject with Major Thomas Pinckney selected in behalf of the Americans. They met on the 31st of January, 1779.
The proposition advanced by Colonel Prevost was that not only the regular troops and the militia captured with arms in
= 192
0
346
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
their hands should be deemed proper subjects for exchange, but also "men found on their farms without regard to age, and all males who had taken the oath of allegiance and applied to the Crown for protection." To this Major Pinckney responded that continental officers and soldiers, and all militiamen who were willing to bear arms again in the service of the Confederated States, were fit subjects for exchange for officers and soldiers in the British army of corresponding rank ; but that the aged, and those who desired to retire from active strife and lead peaceful lives on their farms, acknowledging allegiance to the British gov- ernment, could only be paroled.
For five days was the negotiation prolonged. It was found impossible to arrive at a definite agreement, and thus the matter ended. Prisoners refusing to enlist in the British service were sent by Sir Hyde Parker to New York. So rigorous was the confinement in which they were placed, and so scant were the necessaries doled out to them, that about one third of their num- ber pined away and died in captivity. With this sad and un- justifiable result the Americans were not chargeable.
While Colonel Campbell was seeking to extend the supremacy of the king in the upper portions of Georgia, General Prevost attempted to effect a lodgment in South Carolina. For this pur- pose Major Gardiner, with two hundred men, was detached to take possession of Port Royal Island. Early in February he was attacked by General Moultrie and forced to abandon the enter- prise.1
Upon the retreat of Colonel Campbell from Augusta General Ash, with some twenty-three hundred men, crossed the Savan- nah River at that point and pursued the enemy as far as Brier Creek. There he halted and encamped in the angle formed by that stream and the Savannah River.
General Lincoln was still at Purrysburg where he had gathered about him between three and four thousand troops. General Rutherford, with some seven or eight hundred men, was en- camped at Williamson's house on Black Swamp. General Will- iamson, with his division of twelve hundred, was at Augusta. Finding himself in command of an army about eight thousand strong, General Lincoln resolved to inaugurate an offensive movement in order either to expel the enemy from Georgia or to
1 See Letter of General Moultrie to Gen- tory of the Revolution of South Carolina, eral Lincoln, dated Beaufort, South Caro- vol. ii. p. 12. Trenton. MDCCLXXXV. lina, February 4, 1779. Ramsay's Lis-
والله
i
W
347
PLAN FOR DISLODGING GENERAL ASII.
confine him within very narrow limits along the coast. A council of war was called at General Rutherford's quarters on the 1st of March, 1779, to concert suitable measures for future opera- tions. Generals Lincoln, Moultrie, Ash, and Rutherford were present. It was agreed that with the exception of a guard left at Purrysburg to watch the movements of the enemy, all the available troops of the army should be rapidly concentrated upon the position then occupied by General Ash with a view to an onward march for the recovery of Georgia. In this council Gell- eral Ash expressed himself as being entirely safe: asserting that his camp on Brier Creek was secure ; that the enemy appeared to be afraid of him, apprehending that his numbers were greater than they'really were ; and that all he required was a detachment of artillery with one or two field-pieces. This want was imme- diately recognized by General Lincoln who ordered Major Grim- kie, with two light guns and sufficient cannoneers, to proceed to his assistance.1
Aware of the intentions of General Lincoln, Colonel Camp- bell determined, by a rapid blow, to defeat the purposed concen- tration of the American forces and to frustrate these plans for circumscribing the king's troops in their occupation of Georgia soil. It was resolved at once to dislodge General Ash.
Major McPherson, with the first battalion of the 71st regi- ment, some irregulars, and two field-pieces, was ordered to ad- vance towards Brier Creek bridge to attract the notice of the Americans and mask the main movement, which Lieutenant Colonel Prevost was to conduct in person. That officer taking with him the second battalion of the 71st regiment, Sir James Baird's corps of light infantry, three grenadier companies of the 60th regiment, Captain Tawe's troop of light dragoons, and about one hundred and fifty men of the Florida Rangers and militia, numbering in all about nine hundred men, made a detour of between forty and fifty miles to cross Brier Creek above the point occupied by Ash and fall upon his rear.2 Having moved up the south side of Brier Creek, Colonel Prevost, early on the morning of the 2d of March, reached the point where he ex- pected to cross that stream. Finding that the bridge had been destroyed, he was forced to construct another. Considerable delay occurred, and evening came on before the light infantry
1 Moultrie's Memoirs, vol. i. p. 322. Ebenezer in Georgia, March 5, 1779. New York. 1802.
2 Seo General A. Prevost's letter, dated
Gentleman's Magazine for 1779, p. 213.
1
خصم
348
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
and cavalry effected a passage. They were ordered to advance and cut off all communication with the American camp. By day- light the next morning the rest of the troops and the artillery crossed the creek and proceeded in the direction of Ash's army. Unconscious of Prevost's approach, General Ash detailed Major Ross, of South Carolina, with three hundred horsemen, to cross Brier Creek and reconnoitre the enemy's position at Hudson's ferry, thirteen miles distant. He was expecting to be reinforced by General Rutherford, and his intention was to attack the enemy at an early moment if Major Ross should report the scheme feasible. Ross caught sight of a part of McPherson's command, but did not deem the matter of sufficient importance to report the movement to the general.
Colonel Leonard Marbury, who, with his dragoons, was guard- ing the upper passes of Brier Creek, exchanged shots with the enemy as they passed at Paris' Mill. An express was sent to acquaint General Ash with this circumstance, but he fell into the hands of the enemy. Through General Elbert was intelli- gence of Marbury's rencontre conveyed to the American camp.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.