Samuel Elbert Plays David to the British Navy's Goliath - The Battle of Fredrica River
Samuel Elbert’s fairly obscure place in American history comes as a bit of a shock.
Elbert played a gigantic role in the Revolutionary War’s Southern Department as well as eventually becoming Governor of the State.
This article focuses on the Battle of Fredrica River (often called the Frederica Naval Action), which is just one of several battles that Elbert led.
I wrote a more complete biography on Samuel last year and you can read that here:
Samuel Elbert Knows the Secret Password
Samuel Elbert
By April of 1778, Samuel Elbert had already been a major part of the first attempted Invasion of Florida.
Due to weather, miscommunication and the British being aware of their approach, Elbert’s attack was one segment of a plan that was a total failure.
Now, a year later, the Americans were again attempting to take control of Florida.
Although this second invasion would lead to embarrassment, Elbert oversaw one extraordinarily successful mission...the Battle of Fredrica River.
Planning the Attack
Throughout the war, several British ships had been terrorizing merchants and blockading the coast of Georgia.
When word arrived that these ships (two British Navy ships and two privateers that had been hired) were anchored not far from Fort Frederica, Elbert decided to act.
He sailed out to engage the enemy on three galleys...small vessels primarily controlled with oars and not made for sailing on the high seas.
The Battle of Fredrica River
As usual, the Redcoats knew that Samuel was coming.
This time, however, fortune shined on the rebels.
The winds were still, making it extremely difficult for the British’s bigger, stronger ships to maneuver.
Elbert’s small galleys, however, quickly positioned themselves to attack without much chance of reprisal.
When the smoke cleared, three of the four British ships had run aground.
Elbert had not lost a single man.
Moral
As stated above, the Continental Army would go on to embarrass themselves during the Second Invasion of Florida.
Elbert’s success, however, sent waves of patriotism through Georgia.
Not only had the threat of the British Army on their border been lurking over the heads of that State’s citizens, but these ships had been terrorizing the coast.
Samuel taking the British Navy down a notch gave everyone the sense that the war could be won.
Granted, they’d soon return and capture Savannah, but that’s a story for another day.
Do you want to read more about the American Revolution in Georgia?
Great!
Try these articles on Declaration Signers Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett.
I also wrote a lot about the disaster at Brier Creek in my article about John Ashe.
Want to read a great book about the Revolution in Georgia?
Nice!
‘The American Revolution in Georgia’ is the definitive authority on the subject. Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
