Near Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Kettle Creek
Photographed By Michael Dover, May 1, 2009
1. Battle of Kettle Creek Marker
The Battle of Kettle Creek, fought here on February 14, 1779, was one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War in Georgia. At that time, the State was almost completely under British control. Col. Boyd with 600 British sympathizers (Loyalists or Tories) crossed the Savannah River into present day Elbert County en route to the British Army then at Augusta. Patriots Col. Andrew Pickens with 200 S.C. militia and Col. John Dooly and Lt. Col. Elijah Clark with 140 Georgia Militia marched to overtake the Loyalists. On the morning of the 14th, Boyd and his men were camped here at a bend in the then flooded Kettle Creek. Their horses were grazing, sentries were posted, and most of the men were slaughtering cattle or searching for food. The Patriots attempted to attack the Loyalist camp by surprise but failed and a desperate battle raged on both sides of the creek for three hours before the Loyalists finally broke and fled. Col. Boyd and 20 of his men were killed and 22 captured. Pickens and Dooly lost seven killed and 14 or 15 wounded. Pickens later wrote that Kettle Creek “was the severest check and chastisement, the Tories ever received in South Carolina or Georgia.”
Erected by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 157-15.)
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 33° 41.447′ N, 82° 53.153′ W. Marker is near Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. Marker can be reached from War Hill Road, 1˝ miles south of Tyrone Road. Marker is at the battle site. It is reached by taking Ga 44 west from Washington; turning north on Sandy Ridge Road; and in approximately two miles turning left on Tyrone Road. In approximately 2.5 miles to War Hill Road on the left is marked with a sign pointing to the site of the battle. The marker, monument, and cemetery are at the end of this road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Battle of Kettle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Kettle Creek Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillips Mills Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Kettle Creek Battleground (approx. 2.1 miles away); Columbus Granade (approx. 5 miles away); Site of Chivers Plantation and Store
Photographed By David Seibert, November 15, 2009
2. Battle of Kettle Creek Marker and Cemetery
Also see . . . Battle of Kettle Creek. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
The battle here at Kettle Creek was a preview of similar Rebel victories over combined British and Tory forces at other places such as King's Mountain. (Submitted on August 26, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed By Michael Dover, May 1, 2009
3. Battle of Kettle Creek Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, November 25, 2006
4. Monument at site of Battle of Kettle Creek, erected in 1930
The monument reads:
On this hill the Fourteenth Day of February 1779, The Battle of Kettle Creek was fought.
This battle of the American Revolution in which the British were severly defeated checked their invasion of Georgia.
The victorious American forces were commanded by Colonel Andrew Pickens, Colonel Elijah Clarke, Colonel John Dooly
On this hill the Fourteenth Day of February 1779, The Battle of Kettle Creek was fought.
This battle of the American Revolution in which the British were severly defeated checked their invasion of Georgia.
The victorious American forces were commanded by Colonel Andrew Pickens, Colonel Elijah Clarke, Colonel John Dooly
Photographed By Craig Swain, circa 1993
5. Graves at Kettle Creek
Photographed By David Seibert, November 15, 2009
6. Battle of Kettle Creek Monument
Another view of the monument
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 5,653 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia. 2. submitted on December 24, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on February 5, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia. 4. submitted on August 24, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on November 28, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
