Georgia

Overview

The American Revolution in Georgia was a significant chapter in the fight for independence from British rule during the late 18th century. As one of the original 13 colonies, Georgia played a crucial role in the revolution by providing resources, soldiers, and strategic military positions. The revolution in Georgia was characterized by a complex mix of political alliances, military engagements, and shifting control of key cities.

Initially, Georgia was slow to join the revolutionary cause due to factors such as a large Loyalist population and the influence of the royal governor. However, as tensions escalated and news of the Declaration of Independence spread, many Georgians began to rally behind the Patriots. The state witnessed several crucial battles, such as the Siege of Savannah in 1779, where a combined force of American and French troops unsuccessfully attempted to recapture the city from the British. Despite the setback, Georgia eventually saw a turning point in the war with the arrival of General Nathanael Greene in 1781. Greene’s military strategies, coupled with the resilience and determination of the Georgian troops, helped to regain control of Savannah and ultimately secure victory for the Patriots.

Diaries and Memoirs

Moultrie, William. Memoirs of the American Revolution, so Far as It Related to the States of North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Vol. I. New York: David Longworth, 1804.

Other Primary Sources

Mackall, Leonard L. “Edward Langworthy and the  First Attempt to Write a Separate History of Georgia, with Selections from the  Long Lost Langworthy Papers.” The Georgia Historical Quarterly 7, no. 1 (1923): 1–17.

Secondary Sources

Blackmon, Richard D. Dark and Bloody Ground: The American Revolution along the Southern Frontier. 1. Westholme pbk. Yardley, Pa: Westholme, 2012.

Johnson, Daniel McDonald. Savannah, Augusta & Brier Creek – The Conquest of Georgia in the American Revolution. Second. Allendale, South Carolina: McDonald Johnson, 2020.

Lawrence, Alexander. Storm over Savannah – The Story of Count d’Estaing and the Siege of the Town in 1779. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1951.

Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. Lincoln: toExcel, 2000.

Searcy, Martha Condray. The Georgia-Florida Contest in the American Revolution, 1776-1778. University, Ala: University of Alabama Press, 1985.

Swisher, James K. The Revolutionary War in the Southern Back Country. Gretna: Pelican Pub. Co, 2008.

The 1779 Siege of Savannah – The Most Famous Battle in Georgia