It's Tories vs. Patriots in Georgia: The Battle of Kettle Creek-- Part 1

From American Battlefield Trust.

In February 1779, Colonel John Boyd set out with a newly-raised regiment of Tory troops (Loyalist to the Crown) with a goal of uniting with British General Archibald Campbell force, which had  captured Augusta, Georgia, 

During their march south, however, his force had 100 casualties inflicted upon them by pursuing Patriots.

After crossing the Savannah River, Boyd ordered his men to rest and make camp on the north side of Kettle Creek in Wilkes County, Georgia.  Unbeknownst to Boyd and his men, about 350 Patriots, under the overall command of Colonel Andrew Pickens were close by and preparing to attack.

Splitting his men into three columns, Pickens attacked at 10 am on the morning of February 14,1779, and caught the Tories completely by surprise.  The pickets were driven back into camp.

Although the Tories had the larger numbers, the Patriot attack left them little time to organize to resist.  Boyd ordered his main force to take up defensive positions on a hill at the rear of the camp while he advanced with 100 men to a position behind a makeshift breastwork opposite the center of the Patriot line.

--Cooter