Bloody Marsh

Battle of Bloody Marsh
Part of the Invasion of Georgia, War of Jenkins' Ear
A Map of the Bloody Marsh area as it was in 1742 (North is down)
Date 7 July 1742 (new style) Location St. Simons Island, Georgia 31°9′24″N 81°22′47″W / 31.15667°N 81.37972°W / 31.15667; -81.37972Coordinates: 31°9′24″N 81°22′47″W / 31.15667°N 81.37972°W / 31.15667; -81.37972 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
James Oglethorpe	Antonio Barba
Strength
650 soldiers, militia and native Indians	150-200+ soldiers
Casualties and losses
Light	Roughly 200 killed

The Battle of Bloody Marsh was a battle that took place on July 7, 1742 (new style) between Spanish and British forces on St. Simons Island, part of the Province of Georgia, resulting in a victory for the British. Part of a much larger conflict known as the War of Jenkins' Ear, the battle was for the British fortifications of Fort Frederica and Fort St. Simons, with the strategic goal the sea routes and inland waters they controlled. With the victory, the Province of Georgia established undisputed claim to the island. It is now part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The British also won the Battle of Gully Hole Creek, which took place on the island the same day.

James Oglethorpe led the colonization of Georgia for Great Britain, and had chosen Savannah as the principal port for the new colony. In the 1730s, Spain and Great Britain were disputing control of the border between Georgia and La Florida, where the Spanish had several settlements and forts.

Given a heightened threat of Spanish invasion, Oglethorpe sought to increase his southern defenses. Accompanied by rangers and two Native American guides, Oglethorpe picked St. Simons Island as the site for a new town and fort. In 1734, Oglethorpe convinced the Parliament and the colonial trustees to pay for a military garrison at the fort.

The trustees also recruited a large group of colonists to settle St. Simons Island. The ships bearing the settlers and supplies arrived at Tybee Island early in 1736. From there, some went to the mainland while others traveled via periaguas (also known as pirogues) to St. Simons Island to found Frederica. The town and its fort were built on the elbow of the Frederica River to control approaches from both directions.

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