Battle of Brier Creek

The Battle of Brier Creek was a British tactical masterpiece that consolidated their hold on Georgia. British General Prevost sent his brother Mark with about 900 men on a flanking march around American General Ashe's position near the Savannah River. The maneuver was executed flawlessly: Mark Prevost crossed the river above the Americans, marched through swamp and wilderness, and appeared in the rear of Ashe's position on March 3.

Ashe's 1,400 militia and Continentals were completely surprised. The militia broke immediately, many throwing down their weapons and fleeing into the swamps. The defeat was comprehensive: 150 Americans killed, several hundred captured, and nearly all supplies and artillery lost. Ashe managed to escape with only about 450 men.

Brier Creek eliminated the last organized American force in Georgia and secured British control of the state. It also demonstrated the vulnerability of militia forces to professional European tactics — a lesson that would have to be learned repeatedly before American commanders developed effective methods of combining militia with Continental regulars. The British followed up by attempting to capture Charleston that spring, but the operation was turned back by Moultrie's defense.