A Revolutionary War commemoration is scheduled for Saturday.
Representatives of the Societies of the Sons, Daughters and Children of the American Revolution plan to observe the 242nd anniversary of the First Siege of Augusta at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center.
The event will begin at 1 p.m. in the auditorium with a short ceremony and a presentation about the siege which is also known as the Battle of McKay’s Trading Post, according to an email from Sonny Pittman, event coordinator.
That battle took place from Sept. 12-18, 1780.
The program will then head outside where the color guard, militia and artillery units will recreate some of the musket and cannon fire.
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“On one side were American Patriots, commanded by Col. Elijah Clarke and Lt. Col. James McCall, with a strength of 400-700 soldiers. On the other, stood British forces consisting of about 450 soldiers and commanded by Col. Thomas Brown and Col. Thomas Grierson. American casualties were estimated to be 60 killed/wounded and 27 missing/captured. British losses were estimated to be 75 killed/wounded. The battle was fought to a draw with the Patriots forced to retreat when the British received reinforcements,” Pittman wrote. “After the battle, the British quenched their thirst for revenge. Captain Ashby and twelve of the wounded Patriots were hanged. And another 13 (or 16) were turned over to their Indian allies to be tortured and killed.”
The event is free, and the public is welcome to attend.
