Stirring Up a Hornet's Nest: - UGA Laboratory of Archaeology ...

BOTHER PATRIOTS LINKED TO KETTLE CREEK
Captain John Stephens
John Stephens commanded a company of South Carolina militia in 1779. Captain Stephens was apparently
cashiered from military service as a result of his poor performance in the expedition against Colonel
Boyd’s regiment. Captain Stephens was probably not directly involved in the battle at Kettle Creek and the
details of his court martial remain unknown. Private John Ridgeway served in his company, and he noted in
1833, “In the fall of 1779 he [Ridgeway] was drafted for a tour of three months and served under Capt.
John Stephens about two months of the time when Stephens was cashiered for improper conduct and the
company in consequence of the approach of the Tories under Col. Boyd dispersed” (Footnote.com 2008
[John Ridgeway S21947]). The present researchers did not pursue Captain Stephen’s story, so his presence
on the battlefield remains undetermined.
Private David Anderson
Private David Anderson, South Carolina militia, did not participate in the battle of Kettle Creek, although
he had been in pursuit of Colonel Boyd as far as Fort Independence, South Carolina. Anderson stated in his
pension application, that he volunteered for service in 1778, “under Capt. William Mulwee (sic, Milwee)
company officer and Major John (sic, James) Williams, Col. Brannon (sic, Brandon) field officers;
marched to Ripley's Fort; from thence went in pursuit of one Boyd a Tory; pursued as far as Fort
Independence on Savannah River where we learned Boyd had been captured by Col. Pickens at Kettle
Creek. Hence went in pursuit of other Tory parties, returned home after a tour of about six weeks.”
(Footnote.com 2008 [David Anderson S6515]).
Private Patrick Cain
Private Patrick Cain, South Carolina militia, was not a participant in the battle of Kettle Creek. He was at
Cherokee Ford and participated in the battle at Vann’s Creek days prior to the battle; however Cain
provided these details in 1833,
Again, in the latter part of the year 1779 or about the first of 1780, I volunteered to defend a fort on the Savannah River, at
the Cherokee Ford, under the command of Lieutenant Shankland. This fort was deemed of considerable importance,
particularly against the Tories, who at that time had collected to the number of about 700 men under Col. Boyd Moore, in the
back parts of South Carolina, and was marching to Augusta or Savannah. Gen. Pickens was then at the head of a body of
militia, and stationed himself at Cedar Island on the Savannah about eight miles below the fort in order to intercept them.
The Tories approached near the fort and sent in a flag, and asked permission to pass the ford, which if granted, they would
not attack the fort but Shankland returned for answer that he was able to defend the fort and ford both. Colonel Little being
apprized of the intention of the Tories to force a passage at the ford, sent in reinforcement, which I supposed deterred the
Tories from attempting a passage, and they turned their course up the river in order to cross at the mouth of Van's Creek. To
prevent this, Captains Millin M. Baskin and Anderson, with about 100 men were detached across the river, and marched up
to the mouth of Van's Branch, and opposed their passage. I was now again under Captain Anderson. Before we reached the
place, the greater part had crossed but we immediately began the attack which continued over an hour, by which time the
remaining Tories had crossed over and reinforced the others. We then gave way and retreated in some confusion, having lost
one killed and 18 prisoners. We organized the Fort in a short time after this, Gen. Pickens defeated these same Tories at
Kettle Creek. I served in this fort and at this time two months and was discharged (Footnote.com 2008 [Patrick Cain
S1185]).
Private Marshall Frank
Private Marshall Frank served in Colonel Leroy Hammond’s regiment of South Carolina militia and he did
not participate in the battle of Kettle Creek. Private Franks did, however, was involved in the aftermath of
the battle when he captured two of the fleeing Loyalist participants, Ensign Aquilla Hall and Hector
McNeal. The capture happened after Franks became separated from the rest of his regiment during the
battle of Briar Creek in early March, 1779. In 1836 at age 84, Franks described their capture and their
march to Ninety-Six, or Cambridge, South Carolina:
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