Part 4

The Loyalist aka Tories The Loyalists, as their name implies, were loyal to England and did not want the colonies to break away from the mother country. Tories generally advocate monarchism, are usually of a High Church Anglican religious heritage, and are opposed to the radical liberalism of the Whig faction. Many influential colonial Georgians remained loyal to England including Royal Governor James Wright, land owner Thomas Brown, and minister John J. Zubly. Some, such as Brown, took up arms against their fellow Georgians who sided with the patriots. Most of the loyalist landowners forfeited their land to the patriots and left after the war.

Patriots aka Whigs Were those colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who violently rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in July 1776 declared the United States of America an independent nation. Their rebellion was based on the political philosophy of republicanism, as expressed by spokesmen such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Thomas Paine Named after the British Whig Party Opposed absolute rule Revolutionary at the time

Propaganda Activity

Write 5 facts of four or more words about the Revolution in five minutes. You have to use one the words “Tories”, “Whigs”, “Loyalist”, or “Patriot” in each fact. R E V O L U T I N

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: - Most Georgia Loyalists lived along the coast, in or around Savannah. They were wealthy and benefited from their trade relationship with England.

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: - Most Georgia Patriots lived in Georgia’s frontier backcountry (also called the upcountry). They tended to rely on themselves and did not want to be bothered by the government.

Fighting Begins in Georgia - The first major fighting in the South took place in the December 1778 when the British defeated the Patriots at Savannah. - By January 1779, the British had also captured Augusta, Georgia’s only other major city.

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: . The Revolutionary War in Georgia: - Sir James Wright was restored as Royal Governor of Georgia and efforts were made to hunt down Georgia colonists who had supported the Whigs.

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The fight appeared to be lost for Georgia’s Patriots… …UNTIL…

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The Battle of Kettle -The British Commander asked for additional troops to capture the rest of the colony of Georgia - A group of 700 British soldiers and Loyalists marched from North Carolina and camped on a small stream called Kettle Creek

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The Battle of Kettle - A group of Patriots from backcountry, led by Elijah Clarke, marched to meet the British at Kettle Creek in an early morning surprise attack in February 1779 - Elijah Clarke’s victory forced the British to withdraw from Augusta

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The Battle of Kettle Creek is considered the most important Revolutionary War battle fought in Georgia because it prevented the British from gaining control of the backcountry … but things were soon to take a turn for the worse …

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The Siege of Savannah - In the Fall of 1779, American and French forces prepared to attack and regain control of Savannah from the British. - They attack, on October 9, lasted only 90 minutes, and the Americans were beaten back, losing thousands of soldiers.

Fort Pulaski are named in his honor. The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The Siege of Savannah - The attack on Savannah was the second bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War. - The most famous casualty of the battle was a Polish soldier who had come to fight for the colonists, Count Casimir Pulaski. Both Pulaski County and Fort Pulaski are named in his honor.

The following year, the British were forced to withdraw from Savannah. The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The End of the War After the failed attack on Savannah, the Patriots and Loyalists continued to fight each other. By 1781, the tide turned against the British, and the Patriots recaptured Augusta. The following year, the British were forced to withdraw from Savannah.

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The End of the War - In 1781, General George Washington defeated the largest British Army in America, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, at the Battle of Yorktown.

The Revolutionary War in Georgia: The End of the War - Great Britain and America signed the Treaty of Paris of 1783, recognizing the independence of the thirteen American States. * Unfortunately for Georgia, the Treaty of Paris of 1783 once again gave Spain possession of Florida.

Georgia’s Revolutionary War Heroes: Elijah Clarke One of the more well-known Georgia patriots was Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Clarke (1742-1799). Clarke was a poor farmer from North Carolina who moved to Georgia around 1773. Interestingly, his name was listed on a petition to support the King in 1774, but he quickly joined the Georgia militia when the fighting broke out in the colony. Early in the war, Clarke fought both the Creek and Cherokee who had sided with the British.

Elijah Clarke Clarke’s most famous act was his leadership during the patriot victory at the Battle of Kettle Creek. During this battle, Clarke led a charge against loyalist troops that helped win the battle and boost morale for the Georgia patriots. After this battle, Clarke led guerilla fighting against British troops in Georgia and South Carolina. Based on his military accomplishments, Clarke County was named in his honor. After the war, Clarke led a checkered life. In 1789, he tried to create his own country, called the “Trans-Oconee Republic,” after defeating the Creek Indians in present day Walton County. He was also involved with the Yazoo Land Fraud, and became entangled in two plots to illegally invade East Florida. Clarke died in 1799, discredited and almost bankrupt. Nonetheless, despite his questionable actions, Clarke’s descendants continued to be involved in Georgia politics, including his son John Clark, who became governor of the state.

Georgia’s Revolutionary War Heroes: 2. Austin Dabney Austin Dabney (1765-1830) was a slave who fought under Elijah Clarke during the Battle of Kettle Creek. Dabney served in the place of his master Richard Aycock, who used Dabney as a substitute in order not to fight himself. Dabney is thought to be the only African American who fought at the Battle of Kettle Creek. He was an artilleryman and was severely wounded during the fighting.

One of his fellow soldiers, Giles Harris, took Dabney to his home and cared for Dabney while he recovered. Harris’s kindness fostered a close bond between Dabney and the Harris family, who Dabney continued to work for after he was granted his freedom. Dabney even paid for Giles Harris’ son’s college expenses at the University of Georgia. Due to his bravery during the Battle of Kettle Creek, the state of Georgia paid for Dabney’s freedom from his former master. The state also gave Dabney a grant for 50 acres of land for his service during the Revolution; the only African-American to receive one. Later, Dabney received an additional 112 acres from the state and a federal “invalid pension” of 60 dollars a month (which was increased to 96 dollars a month) due to the wound he received at Kettle Creek

Georgia's Revolutionary War Heroes: 3. Nancy Hart A six-foot tall, red head known as the Wauhatchie War Woman According to legend, served as a Whig spy at Kettle Creek Killed possibly six invading British soldiers after getting them drunk on wine when they demanded she cook for them - Today, Hart County is the only County in Georgia named after a woman * In 1912, railroad workers who were working near the Hart homestead came across the graves of six skeletons!!!

the Revolutionary War in Georgia??? Lesson Two (SS8H3b) – The student will analyze the significance of people and events in Georgia on the Revolutionary War; include Loyalists, Patriots, Elijah Clarke, Austin Dabney, Nancy Hart, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton, the Battle of Kettle Creek, and the Siege of Savannah. What do you remember about… the Revolutionary War in Georgia??? Whig Commander and hero of Kettle Creek A. Whig 2nd bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War B. Backcountry G E H 3. The 6 ft. tall, red headed Wauhatchie War Woman C. Button Gwinnett I 4. Most politically successful member of the Georgia Representatives D. Tory B 5. Frontier area of Georgia where Whigs mostly lived E. Savannah F 6. Slave who fought for the Whigs at Kettle Creek F. Austin Dabney C 7. Declaration signer who was later killed in a duel G. Elijah Clarke D 8. Colonists who were Loyal to the King of England H. Nancy Hart A 9. Colonists who supported independence I. George Walton SS8H3 – The student will analyze the role of Georgia in the American Revolution.