St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Clash Of Cultures

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2008

1. A Clash Of Cultures Marker

Inscription.

The skirmish at Bloody Marsh was more than a battle. It was a clash of cultures - each vying for control of what is now the southeastern United States.
Soldiers from Hispanic colonies in the New World fought under the Spanish banner, with the help of Indians and emancipated blacks from Florida. British defenders included English and Scottish immigrants and friendly Southeastern Indians. The British coalition fought effectively, and defeated the invading Spanish army of St. Simons Island.

Erected by Fort Frederica National Monument.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Native Americans.

Location. 31° 9.398′ N, 81° 22.772′ W. Marker is on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is on Demere Road. This marker is located in the Blood Marsh Unit of the Fort Fredericka National Monument. The unit is located on Demere Rd., south of Stewart St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Simons Island GA 31522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Bloody Marsh (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Cabin (approx. 0.6 miles away); Demere Road

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); S.S. Oklahoma and Esso Baton Rouge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Retreat Plantation (approx. 1.4 miles away); St. Simons Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Fort Saint Simons (approx. 1½ miles away); Delegal's Fort (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Simons Island.

More about this marker. At the upper right of the marker is a map with the following caption: For nearly 160 years, England and Spain claimed this "disputed" land between Georgia and Florida. The Spanish defeat on St. Simons Island in the summer of 1741 finally settled the issue.

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, and Marble Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2008

2. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, and Marble Monument

see nearby markers for Battle of Bloody Marsh

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, The disputed area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat. Mon.

3. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, The disputed area

Battle of Bloody Marsh Battle Site - A Clash Of Cultures image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, /2008

4. Battle of Bloody Marsh Battle Site - A Clash Of Cultures

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Cuban Grenadier (Spanish) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat, Mon.

5. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Cuban Grenadier (Spanish)

Elite, tough, grenade-bearing soldiers, the Grenadiers (recruited in Havana) were the mainstay of the Spanish invasion force. Although experienced fighters, they were the victims of the ambush at Bloody Marsh.

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Spanish Black Soldiers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat. Mon.

6. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Spanish Black Soldiers

These former slaves in the English Colony were offered emancipation if they converted to Catholicism and served the Spanish Crown as soldiers. Several hundred of these black troops participated in the Spanish invasion of St. Simons Island.

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Southeastern Indians image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat. Mon.

7. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Southeastern Indians

Local Indians fought for both sides. Those with the British were especially effective in launching raid against Spanish outpost guards and disappearing without a trace.

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, British 42nd ( Oglethorpe's) Regiment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat. Mom.

8. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, British 42nd ( Oglethorpe's) Regiment

Recruited by Georgia's founder James Edward Oglethorpe, these soldiers manned both Fort Frederica and Fort St, Simons. Spanish leaders planned to defeat the troops before moving up the coast to Savannah and other settlements in Georgia and South Carolina. They failed.

A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Scottish Independent Highland Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fort Frederica Nat. Mon.

9. A Clash Of Cultures Marker, Scottish Independent Highland Company

These kilted militia men led the British ambush at Bloody Marsh. Recruited by Georgia's trustees to help settle the new colony, they were known as courageous and hard-fighting troops - the heroes of Bloody Marsh.

Markers at the Blood Marsh Unit of the Fort Fredericka National Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, March 20, 2013

10. Markers at the Blood Marsh Unit of the Fort Fredericka National Monument

NPS sign located on Demere Road, looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, March 20, 2013

11. NPS sign located on Demere Road, looking north

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,577 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on March 23, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10, 11. submitted on March 23, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.