Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Clark's Attack

— Kettle Creek Battlefield • War Hill Loop Trail • —

Clarke's Attack Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 20, 2026

1. Clarke's Attack Marker

Inscription. The Battle of Kettle Creek began south of the Hammett farmstead, according to Patriot Colonel Pickens. The Patriot militias, which had been following them for several days, were deployed by Pickens into three formations and advanced southward on an unsuspecting enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Clarke's easternmost of the Patriot's formations passed through this immediate area to attack Loyalist Major Spurgin's formation. According to Pickens, the retreating Loyalists, "...formed across the creek on rising ground," where, "...the action was renewed more obstinately." Dooly says that, "It appeared to me that they fired over 200 guns at us in half a Minet but not withstanding they had at Least 700 men we Drove the Villens and beat them in a fair fight...".

It was "...the severest check and chastisement the Tories ever received in South Carolina or Georgia", wrote Colonel Pickens in 1811. Reports following the battle indicated that approximately 20 Loyalists were killed, about 150 were taken prisoner and about 250 escaped to Augusta. Seven of the prisoners were eventually tried and hanged. Patriot losses were seven killed

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and fifteen wounded. A letter of Colonel Dooly, written two days after the battle concludes, "...I am Sure that it must be nothing but the hand of Providence that Saved Colo Pickens and Colo Clark and my Self from being Kild or badly wounded as wee warr much Exposed on horseback During the whole Ingagement".

The Patriot victory at Kettle Creek prevented the British from dominating the colony of Georgia.

Erected by Kettle Creek Battlefield Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 1779.

Location. 33° 41.444′ N, 82° 53.117′ W. Marker is in Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. It is on War Hill Road 0.2 miles south of Settlement Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in the woods to the left of the stone gate on War Hill Road before heading up the hill to the monument and cenotaphs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 298 War Hill Rd, Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 20, 2026

2. Clarke's Attack Marker

in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of Kettle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Kettle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Kettle Creek Battlefield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Overview of the Battle (about 300 feet away); Revolutionary War Soldiers' Burials (about 400 feet away); Early Colonial Roads (about 500 feet away); War Comes to Kettle Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phillips Mills Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

More about this marker. The Lieutenant Colonel's name is spelled "Clark" in the title and "Clarke" in the text.

Also see . . .
1. Kettle Creek Battlefield Association.

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(Submitted on October 11, 2026.)
2. Kettle Creek. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on October 11, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.