Fort Frederica Held Fast Against Spanish Raids

Fort Frederica is one of

100 National Monuments

in America.

Spain and England had claims on southern coastal territories in the New World.  Georgia was claimed by both countries and considered disputed territory.  Fort Saint Simons was constructed to southern tip of Saint Simons Island.  The rivers also needed to be protected from attack.  General James Oglethorpe enlisted the assistance of German and Scottish Highlanders in the area to build Fort Frederica, in just six weeks in 1736.  The fort and the town are named for Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, the son of King George II.

Oglethorpe also made an alliance with a local Creek Indian chief to provide reconnaissance and support, should the Spanish send forces north to Southern Georgia and Saint Simons Island.

Fort Frederica and the surrounding grounds have been excavated and thoroughly researched.

The fort was built on the Frederica River to control 

river traffic & defend against Spanish raids

 into this disputed territory.

The map shows that the colonists built homes behind the fort, worked at their trades and farmed. With a steady supplies for the fort, General Ogelthorpe and his troops trained with the Scottish Highlanders to defend their assigned territory.

Cannons protect Fort Frederica

from Spanish ships.

The Frederica River with the

Sidney Lanier Bridge in

the background.

The King's Magazine was built

to protect the gunpowder used

to arm cannons & muskets.

One of the vaults where

gunpowder was stored.

The ruins of one of two store

 houses adjacent to the

 King's Magazine.

The Tower & the ruins of

the barracks for the soldiers,

that eventually numbered

1,000.

On June 15, 1740,  troops from Georgia and South Carolina led by General Oglethorpe laid siege to Castillo de San Marcos and Saint Augustine.  The siege was abandoned on July 20 when Oglethorpe's supplies ran low and hurricane season threatened the mission.

Two years later, on July 5, 1742, Saint Simons Island was attacked by over 2,000 Spanish troops commanded by Saint Augustine Governor, Manuel de Montiano.  On July 6, the Spanish captured Fort Saint Simons, which was abandoned by the British, and marched to within 1.5 miles of Frederica.  

General Oglethope and 800 men consisting of soldiers, Scottish Highlanders and Indians attacked the the Spanish as they approached Frederica at the Battle of Gully Hole Creek.  After the initial battle, Spanish Grenadiers counter attacked and after a confused fight at the Battle of Bloody Marsh, withdrew, never to return.  General Oglethorpe's regiment was disbanded in 1749 and the fort started to deteriorate.

Georgia remains a British Colony, will be the scene of battles during the Revolutionary War and was the fourth state admitted to the Union on January 2, 1788.