The Battle of Bloody Marsh and the Future of

the Georgia Colony

The conflict between the Spanish and English over the land between South Carolina and Florida lasted for nearly 20 years, but once formal hostilities began in 1739—only six years after Georgia's founding—the survival of the colony hung in the balance.

Why Can’t Everyone Just Get Along?

The Battle of Bloody Marsh was apart of a larger conflict called the War of Jenkins’ Ear.

Causes? Disputed land claims Shipping on the high seas was

frequently interrupted from acts of piracy by both sides.

On one particular incident a Spanish privateer severed British captain Robert Jenkins's ear in 1731 as punishment for raiding Spanish ships.

Jenkins presented the ear to Parliament, and the outraged English public demanded retribution.

Throughout the 1730s, diplomatic attempts at peace were made, but they only served to increase the animosity that led to war in late 1739.

The War of Jenkins' Ear

General James Oglethorpe made several passes into Florida in January 1740 Seized two Spanish forts

Fort Picolata and Fort San Francisco de Pupo, Began a strike against the fort at St.

Augustine in May 1740. It was a failure!Oglethorpe wanted to seize the fort

before Spanish supplies or reinforcements could arrive, but problems with multiple commanders and diverse forces resulted in disorganization, spoiling his advantage of surprise. Oglethorpe settled for a traditional siege of the fort but failed to coordinate his land and naval forces. By early July he discontinued the attack, retreated to Fort Frederica, and waited for a Spanish invasion. He will later have to answer for actions in front of Parliament.

General Oglethorpe to Save the Day?

“I am quite ready, despite my prim and

proper appearance, to lay an almighty butt-

whooping down on our Spanish foes!”

This event was the only Spanish attempt to invade Georgia during the War of Jenkins' Ear

It resulted in a significant English victory! General James Oglethorpe redeemed his reputation

from his defeat at St. Augustine, FL two yrs. earlier and the positive psychological effects upon his troops, settlers, other colonists, and the English populace rallied them to preserve Georgia.

The Battle of Bloody Marsh

“I am quite ready, despite my prim and proper appearance,

for BLOODY REVENGE!”

Don Manuel de Montiano, governor of St. Augustine, led an invasion of Georgia in mid-June 1742 with 4,500-5,000 soldiers.

Weather hampered their progress by sea, and Oglethorpe learned of their impending arrival; he prepared the defenses of St. Simons Island accordingly. He established a fort on the island, on

a high bluff overlooking the Frederica River, to protect Darien and Savannah from a Spanish invasion.

Oglethorpe’s forces included a mixture of rangers, British regulars, Southeastern Indians, and local citizens, but his total forces numbered less than a thousand men.

The Spanish landed on the southern tip of the island during the afternoon and evening of July 5 and used the nearby Fort St. Simons as their headquarters during the campaign.

The Battle of Bloody Marsh

Fort Frederica St. Simons, GA

Early on the morning of Wednesday, July 7, several Spanish scouts advanced northward toward Fort Frederica to assess the landscape and plan their attack. They met a body of Highland Scots at Gully Hole Creek who routed the Spanish force.

Oglethorpe learned of the engagement, mounted a horse, and galloped to the scene, followed by reinforcements. At approximately nine o'clock, and the two units exchanged shots.

He charged directly into the Spanish line, which scattered when the additional forces arrived. Oglethorpe posted a detachment to defend his position and returned to Frederica to prevent another Spanish landing on the northern coast and to recruit more men.

The Battle of Bloody Marsh

During mid-afternoon of the same day, the Spanish sent more troops into the region, and the English forces fired upon them from behind the heavy cover of brush in the surrounding marshes.

This ambush, coupled with mass confusion within the smoke-filled swamp, resulted in another Spanish defeat despite Oglethorpe's absence.

This second engagement earned its name the Battle of Bloody Marsh from its location rather than from the number of casualties, which were minimal, especially on the English side (about fifty men, mostly Spanish, were killed).

The Spanish left the island on July 13 after destroying Ft. St. Simons and raiding its supplies.

The Battle of Bloody Marsh

This decisive English victory represented the last major Spanish offensive into Georgia It marked the beginning of a safe southern frontier for GA.

Citizens throughout the colonies and in Britain rejoiced at the repulse of the Spanish invasion of British North America.

Oglethorpe's actions and use of effective tactics reestablished his military leadership; however, a few years later, Oglethorpe faced court martial charges in Britain (a disgruntled officer made 19 claims, against him -- two of which were cowardice and making soldiers pay for free food rations). He never again returns to GA. He marries, becomes a patron of the arts and a business owner, and dies at age 89 after seeing his beloved GA Colony become a state in the United States of America.

Results

Battle of Bloody Marsh Memorial, St. Simon’s Island, GA