St. Simons Island Public Library

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Glynn County History
This Coming Week, 284 Years Ago (July 1742)

The Spanish Invasion of Georgia

Two hundred eighty-four years ago, the fate of the young colony of Georgia hung in the balance as Spanish forces advanced toward the settlement at Fort Frederica.

In 1742, the fort fired upon three Spanish vessels that ventured "within gun-shot of the town." In response, James Oglethorpe boarded several boats and headed toward the approaching ships. The Spanish vessels soon withdrew, rejoining the main fleet anchored near Gascoigne Bluff, just downriver from Frederica.

On July 9 and 10, after Oglethorpe returned from Fort St. Simons, Lieutenant Patrick Sutherland recorded:

"All Hands were employed in the Works of Frederica, and the Indians brought us in some Scalps and Prisoners."

As soldiers strengthened the defenses of Frederica, Native American allies continued to play a vital role by scouting enemy movements and engaging Spanish forces throughout the island.

These events formed part of the dramatic campaign that culminated in the British victory during the Battle of Bloody Marsh, a turning point that helped secure Georgia as a British colony and ended Spain's final major attempt to reclaim the region.

The accounts quoted above were published in the Supplement to The Gentleman's Magazine (1742) and are drawn from the day-by-day journal of Lieutenant Patrick Sutherland of Oglethorpe's Regiment, providing one of the most valuable firsthand records of the Spanish invasion of Georgia.

Alligators, dinosaurs- what's the difference? Jekyll Island Authority's naturalist will educate us about our local dino-, we mean alligators. 🦎
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