06/15/2026
In memory of the patriotic service of the Georgia Regulars (Continental)
-1777-
More Invasions and Retreats
South Georgia.
On May 27, 1777, Colonel Samuel Elbert, a Patriot born in Savannah, Georgia, ordered his troops to march overland from the St. Marys River to the Satilla River while the remaining Patriot forces traveled by water. Lieutenant Colonel Harris commanded a detachment that included two captains, four subalterns, six sergeants, a drummer, a fifer, and 100 rank-and-file soldiers.
This detachment was instructed to land at Wright's Place on the north side of the St. Marys River, march upriver to the fording site, and then cross to the Satilla River. Colonel Elbert suspected that the East Florida Rangers were hunting cattle between St. Mary's and the Satilla and intended to have this detachment intercept those parties. He hoped that his men would find the cattle first to sustain themselves along the way. The Georgians devastated everything in their path.
By the time Colonel Elbert's men reached the old town on the Satilla River on June 1, they were mutinous due to a lack of food. They camped there for several days, waiting for the requested salted provisions, which never arrived. On June 6, Colonel Elbert marched toward Fort Howe on the Altamaha River with all his able men. They reached the fort on June 9 and marched to Darien, Georgia, the following day. Colonel Elbert ordered the fleet to transport the remaining troops from the Satilla River back to Savannah.
He arrived in his hometown of Savannah on June 15. While in Darien, Colonel Elbert met Colonel Screven of the 3rd Regiment, along with two or three hundred of his men. He ordered Screven to proceed to the Satilla River to protect cattle drivers who were beginning to round up all the stock in the area. Approximately one thousand head of cattle were collected and driven further into Georgia, above the Altamaha. General Screven returned to Fort Howe, and the Georgians did not attempt to occupy any post south of the Altamaha.
Source:
The Georgia-Florida Contest in the American Revolution, 1776- 1778
by Martha Condray Searcy
