Kettle Creek fight will be celebrated

Two upcoming events will honor soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War Battle of Kettle Creek.

The first event, called "Revolutionary Days," will commemorate the 227th Anniversary of the battle and will be held on Saturday at the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Washington, Ga.

"If you want to feel proud to be an American, come to the Kettle Creek Battlefield," said George Thurmond, president of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution. "For it was here that a small group of Georgia and South Carolina Militia took on a British unit twice their size and prevailed by sheer courage and determination."

The Battle of Kettle Creek was fought on Feb. 14, 1779. This year's commemoration will focus on the Memorial and Wreath Presentation Ceremony, which will begin at 2 p.m., according to a press release from The Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution.

The observance will feature the 434th U.S. Army Signal Corp Band, Fort Gordon Ceremonial Detachment, Greene County High School Air Force JROTC Honor Guard and the Continental Regiment Fife and Drum.

The keynote speaker will be Nathan E. White Jr. from Texas, secretary general of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

"We anticipate the attendees at the Battlefield Ceremony will exceed the over 500 people in attendance last year, including 65 who presented wreaths," Thurmond said.

Dr. Walt Andrae and Steve Rauch, both U.S. Army historians, will present a half-hour video describing the battle, to be viewed at the Mary Willis Library at 9 a.m.

Andrae and Rauch will lead guided walking tours of the battlefield at 11 a.m. and noon. The tours will depart from the Kettle Creek Battlefield Monument, located 11 miles west of Washington off SR 44.

"Revolutionary Days" will be different this year than last, with a parade at 10 a.m. beginning at the library and ending at Washington Town Square. Living history exhibits in the Washington Town Square will follow a ceremony held at the Wilkes County Courthouse.

Christine Swager, a noted author, will lead a story time titled, "Life in the Backwoods" that will explain to children the significance of the Battle of Kettle Creek, said Celeste Stover, director of the Mary Willis Library.

The Washington Historical Museum will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will show exhibits in the Kettle Creek room. Chicken and barbecue pork will be available for $8 a plate, including dessert and a drink, at the Kettle Creek Battlefield picnic area from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the McGill-Woodruff Center on North Bypass Highway 78 West. For more information, call the Mary Willis Library at (706) 678-7736.

More tributes also may be paid the following day at Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton. The park will commemorate Elijah Clark's role in the Battle of Kettle Creek from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the park.

There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the grave of Elijah Clark.

"Re-enactors in period-correct costume clothing will take place all day," said Trevor Bullard, assistant manager of Elijah Clark State Park. "There will be a firearm salute."

The commemoration also will include a film presentation depicting the pioneer life of Elijah Clark's wife, Hannah Clark, and a narrative discussing the history of Kettle Creek at 2:45 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m., Bullard said.

The Garden City dulcimer club will be playing music all day, and refreshments such as spice cakes, hot cocoa and cider will be served.

The event is free, but there is a $3 cost for parking within the park. For more information, call Elijah Clark State Park at (706) 359-3458.