The Revolution

During the American Revolution, Georgians not only fought the British for physical control of the state, but struggled among themselves to gain political power. When Savannah fell to the British on December 28, 1778, Augusta became the state capital. But by January 31, 1779 Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell, leading the British forces, marched into Augusta. This first occupation was short-lived, for as American troops continued to gather across the river in South Carolina, Campbell decided to withdraw. Augusta again became the seat of the state government.

Augusta fell to the British again in June, 1780, when British troops under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas Brown, as an Augusta resident in 1775, had been tarred and feathered by local "Liberty Boys.," Although American forces led by Col. Elijah Clark attempted to rescue the city in September, the siege failed. The British continued their occupation for the next nine months. Then on June 5, 1781, after a struggle that lasted two weeks, Brown and his garrison surrendered to Lt. Col. Harry Lee.

Provided by: Augusta Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau