WASHINGTON, Ga. --- A recently commissioned archaeological study could rewrite the history of how the Revolutionary War's Battle of Kettle Creek was fought in Wilkes County.

 

The LAMAR Institute, a Savannah-based, nonprofit archaeological research organization, spent three hours last month searching for artifacts on the 12 acres of land owned by the city of Washington, where re-enactments commemorating the pivotal Revolutionary War battle are held each year.

But it's likely that most of the 1779 battle between the Patriots and Loyalists took place in 300 to 400 acres that surround the site, said LAMAR Institute archaeologist Dan Elliott.

Fewer than 1,000 people fought in the battle and 27 died, but the victory by the American Patriots virtually ended the movement to remain loyal to Britain.

The group is negotiating with the owners of the surrounding land for access to continue the study, Dr. Elliott said.

By using sophisticated metal detectors, ground-penetrating radars and lasers, the group hopes to pinpoint the exact locations not only of where fights took place but also the weapons and ammunition used and where casualties of the battle are buried.

So far, small-caliber bullets, firearm parts and metal buttons have been found, Dr. Elliott said.

The study is funded through a $40,000, two-year grant from the National Park Services and the city of Washington and, depending on what archaeologists find, could lead to plans for a battleground park, city officials said.

Historians have studied the site since the 1970s, but this is the first time archeologists have researched the grounds.

Archaeologists will return to the site in June, Dr. Elliott said, but in the meantime his team is scouring historical documents in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and California that can help researchers in their work.