Event Summary
ravel with us to the Kettle Creek battlefield where in February of 1775 Patriot forces defeated an army of Loyalists twice their number, reminding the crown that the Southern Patriot was determined and skilled in pursuit of liberty. We will also examine the lives and character of two titans in Georgia’s second war of independence: Alexander Stephens and Robert Toombs. We will learn of their significance in the history of their state and country, at the places they knew best—their homes and hearth sides. We will also take a ride in a Petersburg Boat on the Augusta Canal highlighting the 19th century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works and two of Georgia’s only remaining 18th Century houses as you float by. Keep watch for the abundant wildlife including heron, otter and even the occasional alligator.
I cannot think of a better way for my family to spend time together with other Christian families learning history/theology through the voice of outstanding Christian teachers ” — Stephen W.
Kettle Creek Battlefield
Tour Highlights
Augusta Canal
We will cruise along the Augusta Canal in a Petersburg Boat while Mr. Potter and local guides narrate, highlighting the 19th century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works and two of Georgia’s only remaining 18th Century houses as we float by. Keep watch for the abundant wildlife including heron, otter and even the occasional alligator.
Liberty Hall
Georgia was and is, the largest state east of the Mississippi. She was one of the earliest states to secede from the Union, and one of the last to be conquered. Arguably, the last battle of the Civil War was fought in Columbus, Georgia. The state provided some of the most important leaders of the Confederacy, and in the case of Alexander Stephens and Robert Toombs, two best friends “who formed the Confederacy.” We will visit Liberty Hall of Crawfordsville, the home of Stephens, who became the Vice-President of the Confederacy. He had already established himself as one of the most brilliant and eloquent leaders of the United States Congress leading up to the Civil War. He was the chief author of the Confederate Constitution, the apex of American constitutional theory.
Robert Toombs Plantation House
Robert Toombs, an early and politically powerful secessionist led troops during the war and served in the Confederate Congress. He had a colorful and influential record in the previous decades in the U.S. Congress, and carried that reputation into the new nation. We will visit the classical Toombs plantation house in historic Washington, Georgia.
Kettle Creek Battlefield
Georgia was the last of the thirteen original thirteen American colonies organized. As one of the newly independent states, Georgians witnessed several major battles of the Revolutionary War on their soil, only one of which was in the upstate region at Kettle Creek. Some of the battle site has only recently been found and 180 acres preserved, but worth the time to visit. Andrew Pickens the “Fighting Elder of South Carolina,” led the Patriot militia forces against a numerically superior Tory army moving to reinforce British forces in Augusta. The Patriot militia showed the British, once again, that they only held the ground on which they stood.
Event Schedule
(Times and locations subject to change. Detailed schedule included with registration confirmation. Contact us with questions.)
Saturday, August 8
Augusta Canal 1450 Greene Street |
|
64 miles ≈ 75 mins. | |
Liberty Hall (picnic lunch) 456 Alexander Street NW, Crawfordville, GA 30631 |
|
20 miles ≈ 27 mins. | |
Robert Toombs House 216 East Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington, GA 30673 |
|
13 miles ≈ 22 mins. | |
Kettle Creek Battlefield War Hill Road (off of 3150 Court Ground Road, 12 miles SW of Washington) |
Event Speakers
Bill Potter
An experienced historian and avid bibliophile, Bill Potter combines a lifelong study of American history with an uncommon ability to captivate audiences of all ages as he traces the providential acts of God throughout the ages. Mr. Potter has taught history in high schools and colleges, has led many tours of American and European historical sites and brings to each event a wealth of experience and knowledge. An experienced researcher and writer, Mr. Potter possesses a practical knowledge of antiquarian books, documents, and artifacts and has published several short books and has penned many articles and book reviews for publication. Bill has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man gifted in communicating the story of God’s providential hand in American history. As a father of eight children, he appreciates the necessity of passing on to the succeeding generations the richness of both our regional and national history. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Virginia.
Image Credits: 1 Athens, Georgia Townscape (iStockPhoto.com) 2 TRR Cobb House (TRRCobbHouse.org) 3 Kettle Creek Battlefield Entrance (TripAdvisor.com) 4 Kettle Creek Battlefield Monnument (Wikipedia.org) 5 Liberty Hall (Wikipedia.org) 6 Tommbs Home (Wikipedia.org) 7 Robert Toombs (Wikipedia.org) 8 Athens Postcard (Wikipedia.org)</small