AKS 33C -Loyalist vs. Patriots, Battle of Kettle Creek and Siege of Savannah

The Loyalists , as their name implies, were loyal to Britain and did not want the colonies to break away from the mother country. Because many Georgians prospered under royal leadership, many were reluctant to rise up against Britain. Many influential colonial Georgians remained loyal to Britain including Royal Governor James Wright, landowner 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 Georgia after the war. Loyalists were also called Tories. Patriots were outnumbered by the Loyalists in the Georgia colony. However, as other colonies experienced Britain’s wrath after multiple Tea Parties and the Intolerable Acts, Georgia radicals were moved to action, many joining the Liberty Boys. Leading the charge included John Houstoun, George Walton, Archibald Bulloch and Noble W. Jones. By publishing a broadside (a sizable sheet of paper printed on one side) inviting Georgians to a meeting at Tondee’s Tavern on July 27, 1774, these men were encouraging others to join the radical movement in the colony. Georgians were more interested, however, in providing a strong British presence on Georgia’s frontier as protection against the American Indians. They were still concerned that South Carolina would cut off trade if they did not remain “radical” enough. As the war progressed, Georgia fell into the hands of Britain as had Philadelphia and New York. Loyalist spies and their outnumbered status confounded the Patriots, but they stood their ground. Enjoying a boost in morale after experiencing military success at Kettle Creek, the Patriots were able to take control of British-held Augusta.