Hungry British soldiers 241 years ago — Georgia State Quarter Coin

Today, the Georgia State Quarter Coin remembers the hungry British soldiers and their fight for provisions near Savannah on March 2, 1776.

Known as the Battle of Yamacraw Bluff or the Battle of the Rice Boats, this skirmish with the British showed the southern colonies were just as strongly opposed to the king’s rule as the north.

All of Georgia was not supportive of independence, however after this event, many of the English sympathizers moved to eastern Florida to organize and fight against the revolutionists.

The story of this battle comes from Georgia, Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons compiled by Allen Daniel Candler, ‎Clement Anselm Evans and published in 1906:

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The high ground about the city of Savannah took the name of Yamacraw Bluff from the tribe of Indians that lived there.

This bluff was the scene of some stirring events at the beginning of the Revolution.

The Continental Congress in 1775 passed a resolution forbidding all commercial relations between the colonies and Great Britain or any of her dominions, and the strict observance of this had prevented the crews of the armed vessels along the coast from obtaining a sufficient supply of provisions.

Driven to desperation they determined to force a trade into the Savannah river and the ports along the coast.

In this they were aided by a number of Tory planters who had a large amount of rice which they were desirous of getting to market.

On March 1, 1776, eleven ships, loaded with rice, were at Savannah, waiting for an opportunity to put to sea, but they were so closely watched by the patriots that the opportunity was slow in presenting itself.

On the 2nd Captain Barclay, of the British navy, came up the river with the Scarborough and the Hinchinbrooke, men- of-war, and two sloops, his design being to capture the rice ships to get provisions.

The vessels stationed themselves between Cockspur island and the Five Fathom Hole, a short distance below the town, waiting for a chance to seize the rice.

The Hinchinbrooke ran aground and while in this predicament her crew was fired on by a company of riflemen commanded by the intrepid Maj. Joseph Habersham.

During the night two ships sailed up Back river and about 200 men from the Hinchinbrooke landed and marched across Hutchinson’s island.

This force, under the command of Maitland and Grant, was to cooperate with those on board the vessels, and Sunday morning, March 3d, found the British ready to make a dash for the ships of rice.

Seeing that their efforts were about to be crowned with success the Americans determined to burn the ships, rather than see them fall into the hands of the enemy.

Captain Rice was detailed for the work of dismantling the shipping, but was detained on board one of the ships.

Colonel McIntosh threw up hasty works on the bluff opposite, gathered a force of 300 men, with three four-pounders, and sent messengers to demand the release of Rice and his men.

The messengers were also detained, whereupon the Council of Safety ordered the arrest of all the royal council.

This had the effect of securing the release of the Americans.

Captain Bowen was then ordered to fire the Inverness, the rice ship lying farthest up the stream, and allow it to drift down upon the others.

The first attempt was unsuccessful, owing to the fact that the tide was too far spent, but about four o’clock in the afternoon another effort was made, and this one was more fortunate.

The ship was set on fire, the cable slipped, and while enveloped in flames she was allowed to drift against those below.

Many of the British soldiers jumped overboard and swam to shore.

Three of the vessels were burned, six dismantled, and in the excitement of the moment the other two got away to sea.

In the meantime about 150 volunteers came from the South Carolina side of the river and 350 of the country militia, under Colonel Bull, had reached the scene, and these aided materially in driving the British from the vicinity of the town.

Several of the British were killed as they fled from the burning ships.

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The Georgia State Quarter Coin shows with an artist’s image of Joseph Habersham.

Georgia State Quarter Coin