Georgia's Battle of Kettle Creek

Rev. Samuel Whatley was baptized by Silas Mercer and a member of the Phillips Mill Baptist Church in Wilkes County. Whatley's Revolutionary War experiences are summarized by Jesse Campbell in Georgia Baptist Historical and Biographical. 'Having been once almost drowned, twice frozen, twice shot and once hung,' Campbell writes, 'he survived to enjoy the blessings of liberty and to a good old age.' Whatley was active in ministry in the Georgia Baptist Association and is buried at the Phillips Mill Baptist Church where he was a member for more than 40 years.

This fascinating account of the historical battle at Kettle Creek, Georgia is written by Charles Jones and originlly posted at The Christian Index. Here is an excerpt:

On a winter Sunday morning in February 1779, the sound of gunfire broke the silence along the marshy bottom at the juncture of two small creeks in Wilkes County, Georgia, as men engaged in a life and death struggle. The Battle of Kettle Creek, a pivotal battle and one of the few patriot victories in Georgia, had begun.

Tories (Georgians loyal to the crown) called that area “The Hornets’ Nest” during the American Revolution. Most Baptists belonging to the seven small Baptist churches in the colony during the American Revolution simply called Wilkes and neighboring Richmond County “home.”

At Kettle Creek, local Baptists fell in line to defend their homes, their families, and, by their very presence, cast a vote for religious freedom. At the juncture of two small creeks, 340 members of the South Carolina and Georgia militias faced a superior force of 600 Tories.

So, who were these families making up the hornets’ nest? What was their story?

Please read more about this account Georgia/South Carolina fight for religious freedom in 1779 here:

The Battle of Kettle Creek in 1779 was an important victory in the fight for religious freedom - The Christian Index

Additional resources on this famous battle include:

The Battle of Kettle Creek: A Valentines Day Fight (youtube.com)

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Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for these brave men who loved their liberty to Worship You in peace and harmony more than their lives. We are blessed to have such a rich Christian heritage in our nation. Please forgive our ignorance of these facts and lead us back to the cross where we belong.

In Lord Jesus Name I pray, amen.

Mercy Adams

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