CLARKE COUNTY. 185 



there was a rising ground, in the rear of the enemy ; and with 

 a foresight eminently characteristic of him, Clarke perceived 

 that they would attempt to form upon it, and after some hours 

 of severe fighting, he succeeded in gaining its summit. The 

 enemy were beaten back, with a loss of 70 men killed and 

 wounded, and 75 taken prisoners. Clarke's horse was shot 

 under him, but he quickly mounted another, and rushed again 

 into the fight. After the victory at Kettle Ci'eek, many of the 

 citizens of Georgia who had gone into South Carolina for 

 safety, returned with their families and properly to Wilkes 

 county, but shortly afterwards were much alarmed by the ap- 

 proach of a body of Indians ; and to Colonel Clarke was com- 

 mitted the highly responsible duty of remaining on the fron- 

 tiers to guard the forts. This was a trying period. The ene- 

 my had devastated the fairest portion of Georgia. Cruelties 

 which would have disgraced savages, marked their steps in 

 every direction. Colonel Clarke's house was pillaged and 

 burnt, and his family ordered to leave the State. Mrs. Clarke 

 with her two daughters departed for the North, with no other 

 means of conveyance than a small pony of little value ; but 

 even this was taken away after they had proceeded but a short 

 way on their journey. The love of freedom, a persuasion that 

 Heaven would favour the righteous cause of the Americans, in- 

 spired Clarke with hope ; and the loss of his property, and the 

 indignities offered to the helpless females of his family, did not 

 in the least intimidate him, but nerved him to renewed action. 

 Accordingly, he succeeded in recruiting men for his regiment, 

 and gave the enemy so much trouble, by cutting off their sup- 

 plies, that it was determined to bring him to a general action. 

 Colonel Innis pursued him to Wafford's iron works, where 

 his ground had been judiciously chosen. Clarke waited the 

 attack, and bravely defended his post. His constant annoy- 

 ance of the foraging parties of the enemy became so provok- 

 ing, that Colonel Innis resolved to augment his force, and 

 drive him from the country. Having received reinforcements, 

 Clarke met the enemy about four miles north of Musgrove's 

 Mill, and defeated him. The loss of the British was 63 men 

 killed, and 160 wounded and taken prisoners. In this battle 

 Clarke received two wounds with a sabre on the back of his 



