Kettle Creek Battlefield
By SHERRI SMITH BROWN
Georgia > East Central Georgia > Wilkes County > Washington
Re-enactors from the Sons of the American Revolution portray the Elijah Clark Militia firing at the Battle of Kettle Creek, the most significant Revolutionary War battle to take place in Georgia.
Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill. There are numerous towns in the Northeast United States that immediately come to mind when you think about the Revolutionary War. But Georgia was also a battleground, and an area of Revolutionary War activity in Georgia that makes for a nice weekend trip is in the Piedmont in and around Wilkes County where you can learn about the Battle of Kettle Creek.
As late as the early 1770s, Georgia’s boundaries were mostly within the coastal region. In only a confined area beyond Augusta were the Piedmont’s heavier soils and hardwood forests included in the colony’s boundary. Frontiersmen were trickling down into this region from their homes in Virginia, Maryland and the Carolinas. Mostly of English or Scotch-Irish ancestry, these settlers were seeking new economic opportunities, good land and, most importantly, as much freedom as possible from British rule.
One of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War in Georgia was fought here by these patriots at Kettle Creek in Wilkes County, a county that was formed along with the first Constitution of Georgia in 1777.
Robert M. Willingham, Jr., a native of Wilkes’ county seat of Washington and a former educator and librarian, wrote about the battle:
Strong undercurrents of independence were stirring, and Wilkes County … was a hotbed of revolutionary sentiment. These hardy backwoodsmen rarely shied away from a fight, and they were eager for this fray. The War brought substantial dislocation to the settlers already in Wilkes and the vast number of men joined up. Led by Elijah Clarke, John Dooly and others, Wilkes County soldiers fought all over the Southern theatre of operations, from Cowpens and Camden to the sieges of Augusta. British-led loyalist activity was particularly heavy in the backcountry of Georgia, and violence was commonplace sometimes within communities and even families.
On 14 February 1779, an American force of about 400 men under the command of Colonel Andrew Pickens, with Clarke and Dooly accompanying, attacked an encamped group of 700 Tories led by British Colonel Boyd at Kettle Creek in south Wilkes County. The utter surprise gave the Americans a huge advantage, which allowed them to rout the invaders, inflicting heavy casualties. The Battle of Kettle Creek proved an important and significant advance for the American cause. It protected the settlers of the upcountry from the continued ravages of militant Tory bands and led to an increased amount of pride and patriotism. From an economic standpoint, it enabled the Americans to secure almost 600 horses and a large quantity of arms and supplies necessary for the continental storehouses. The victory at Kettle Creek also firmly prevented the British from wholly occupying the State of Georgia.
This proved to be even more significant the following year when the British threat to Augusta forced the Georgia State Capitol to be removed to Heard’s Fort on Fishing Creek in Wilkes County. Governor Richard Howley had left office to take a seat in the Continental Congress. President of Council George Wells was killed in a duel and on 18 February 1780, the reins of government fell into the hands of Wilkes Countian Stephen Heard. It was Heard and others of this country who kept the state operating in its direst hour.
Just eight miles west of Washington is the ground where the Battle of Kettle Creek was fought. (MAP KETTLE CREEK BATTLEFIELD).
The 12.5-acre tract of land that is the Kettle Creek Battlefield has a monument, a historical marker and several marked graves. Guided tours for 15 or more are available by prior arrangement by contacting the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce at 706-678-2013.
When it comes to the Revolutionary War in Georgia, there are relatively few things you can actually see; but there are a lot of places, or sites, where you can read an historical marker and get a sense of the events that took place there nearly 250 years ago. If you would like to travel the roads in the area of Wilkes County, here are some historical markers pertaining to the American Revolutionary War with locations that may interest you.
Wilkes County
Wilkes County, an original county, was created by the Constitution of Feb. 5, 1777, from Creek and Cherokee Cessions of June 1, 1773. At first, it contained all of Oglethorpe, Elbert, Lincoln and parts of Taliaferro, Hart, Warren and Madison Counties. It was named for John Wilkes (1727-1797), English politician and publicist, who strenuously opposed measures leading to war with the colonies. First County Officers were: John Dooly, Sheriff, comm. Feb. 9, 1778; Samuel Creswell, Surveyor, comm. Feb. 18, 1783; Benjamin Catching, Clk. of Sup. and Inf. Cts, comm. Jan. 2, 1785; Howell Jarrett, Coroner, comm. 1790. GHM 157-11, 1956
Located on Court Street on the courthouse lawn in Washington, Georgia.
Clark’s Creek Encampment
At Clarke’s Creek, near here, on the night of February 13, 1779, American troops commanded by Col. Elijah Clark, Col. John Dooly and Col. Andrew Pickens, encamped. Very early the next morning, they launched a surprise attack on the British forces under Colonel Boyd, encamped at Kettle Creek, four miles away. The victory prevented the British troops from joining the notorious McGirth, and broke their devastating march through Georgia. GHM 157-22, 1958
Located at Jackson’s Crossroads west of Tignall and north of US 78.
General Elijah Clark
General Elijah Clark, “Hero of the Hornet’s Nest,” and members of his family are buried in the enclosed cemetery. Their graves were first moved from their original burial places near Graball (10 miles North) to a site on the Community House Grounds in Lincolnton in 1952 to prevent inundation by the Clark Hill Lake. Following the establishment of Elijah Clark Memorial State Park by Legislative enactment, the graves were removed to the present site in 1955 by special dispensation of the Army Corps of Engineers. General Clark was born in Edgecombe County, N. C., in 1733 and moved to what was then a part of Wilkes County, Georgia, (now an area of Lincoln) in 1774. When the Revolutionary War broke out he became a colonel of militia. His activities against the Tories gave him his nickname. He led American forces against the British in battles at Alligator Creek, Kettle Creek, Musgrove’s Mill, Fish Dam, Blackstock’s, Long Cane, Beatties Mill and two sieges at Augusta, the last one successful. He became a Brigadier General. GHM 090-3, 1957
Located in Lincoln County off US 378 at the cemetery on the grounds of Elijah Clark State Park.
Dooly Spring
The spring, to the left of this marker, was used by the John Dooly family. The simple log cabin, in which Colonel John Dooly and his family resided, was situated across the road opposite the spring. It was here that Colonel Dooly was murdered by a band of Tories. Colonel Dooly fought with General Elijah Clark during the Revolutionary War. Dooly County was named for Colonel Dooly. GHM 090-4, 1957
Located in Lincoln County off US 378 on the grounds of Elijah Clark State Park.
Tory Pond
Tory Pond, 100 yards from this marker, is the spot where a band of Tories were hanged for the murder of Colonel John Dooly, in 1780, while he slept in his home, located some 3/4 mile to the east. Previously, a number from this band had escaped across Broad River, were captured and executed at the cabin of Nancy Hart in Elbert County. GHM 090-5, 1957
Located on US 378/GA 43, 5.7 miles east of Lincolnton, Georgia.
Heard’s Fort (Early Georgia Capitol)
Heard’s Fort was designated the Seat of Government for Georgia on February 3, 1780. The Executive Council met and transacted the affairs of the State in this temporary Capital until early in 1781. This designation was made by the Governor and Council in session at Augusta, and was necessary because of the danger that City might at any time be captured by British forces who were practically in control of the State. The Fort was a stockade built by Stephen Heard about 1774, when he settled in the area. Stephen Heard served as President of the Executive Council of Georgia, February 18, 1780-1781. GHM 157-25, 1958
Located on GA 44 at Mile Marker 20, 1 mile south of junction with Sandtown Road.
Read more about the American Revolution in Georgia, the town of Washington, Wilkes County and Elijah Clark State Park, or find other activities in the East Central Georgia Travel Region here at Brown’s Guides.
Tags: American Revolutionary War, battlefields, Elijah Clark State Park, historical markers, Washington, Wilkes County