The first successes of the British were soon communicated to them, and they were invited to assemble and join the king's standard at Augusta.

About seven hundred embodied themselves on the frontiers of South Carolina, and began their march to that place.
They were overtaken by Colonel Pickens at the head of the neighbouring militia, near Kittle Creek, and defeated with considerable loss.
Colonel Boyd, their leader, was among the slain; and several of those who escaped were apprehended, tried, and five of them executed as traitors.

About three hundred reached the British out-posts, and joined the royal standard.

This defeat broke the spirits of the Tories for a time; and preserved quiet in the west.
As the American army gained strength by reinforcements of militia, General Lincoln began to contemplate offensive operations.

A detachment had been stationed nearly opposite to Augusta under General Ash, and he purposed joining that officer so soon as a sufficient force could be collected, and attempting to recover the upper parts of Georgia.