Thomas Creek

Attempting to end Loyalist raids into Georgia, Col. John Baker led a force of Continental troops and Georgia militia into East Florida.  Loyalist, British regulars, and allied Native Americans, under the command of Col. Thomas Brown, prepared for the Continental attack by setting up an ambush.  At about 9:00 am on May 17, 1777, Brown’s forces unleashed a volley of musket fire on Baker’s force. Most of the Americans retreated back along their route or into the surrounding swamps.

The Battle of Thomas Creek was the engagement that ended the Second Florida campaign. This battle involved the land forces of a two pronged continental attack with the goal of taking St. Augustine from the British. The British and their Native American allies laid a successful trap at Thomas Creek that forced the Continental Army to return to Georgia.