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

Canebrakes Affect The Battle of Kettle Creek

— Kettle Creek Battlefield - An American Revolutionary Cemetery —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 19, 2026

1. Canebrakes Affect The Battle of Kettle Creek Marker

Inscription. Before early settlers came to Kettle Creek, the native bamboo formed extensive canebrakes, often stretching for miles. They were so dense that travelers and explores would detour around them. The Arundinaria, commonly called river cane, requires a specific habitat. It can grow as tall as thirty feet. This plant prefers areas with infrequent disturbance along riverbanks. Today the plant is considered an endangered ecosystem as its habitat is being lost.

When Patriot Col. Andrew Pickens divided his militia to attack Col. Boyd he did not realize that the canebrakes would play a significant part in the battle. Col. Pickens' plan of attack directed Col. Clarke to advance on his left flank while Col. Dooly advanced on his right flank. Col. Pickens later commented that Cols. Clarke and Dooly were delayed in their advance by the dense canebrakes along Kettle Creek.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 1779.

Location. 33° 41.393′ N, 82° 53.144′ W. Marker is in Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes

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County. It can be reached from War Hill Road 0.2 miles south of Settlement Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 299 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 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 walking distance of this marker: Loyalists Defeat On Spurgin Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); 1920 Dredging of Kettle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Kettle Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clark's Attack (about 300 feet away); "Cenotaph" (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Kettle Creek (about 400 feet away); Kettle Creek Battlefield

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 19, 2026

2. Canebrakes Affect The Battle of Kettle Creek Marker

(about 500 feet away); Overview of the Battle (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 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.