[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 164 (Tuesday, October 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1058-E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  APPRECIATION FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PRESERVATION OF KETTLE CREEK 
                              BATTLEFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JODY B. HICE

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2022

  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
preservation of the American Revolutionary War battlefield site at 
Kettle Creek and to thank all of those individuals involved in this 
effort over the years.
  Throughout my time in Congress, I have been a strong advocate for 
preserving America's historic battlefields. I have supported numerous 
battlefield conservation efforts and have pushed for the preservation 
of the Kettle Creek Battlefield.
  During the 115th Congress, I introduced H.R. 6108, the Preserving 
America's Battlefields Act, to reauthorize the Battlefield Land 
Acquisition Grants Program to ensure the successful preservation of the 
Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields.
  During the 116th Congress, I introduced H.R. 306, the Kettle Creek 
Battlefield Survey Act. The legislation would help evaluate the 
significance of the Kettle Creek battlefield site and determine its 
suitability as a designated unit of the National Park System.
  America's preserved battlefields stand as magnificent memorials to 
our Nation's history and the courage of those individuals who gave the 
``last full measure of devotion'' to our country. People who visit 
these historical sites cannot help but walk away with a greater 
appreciation of the sacrifices necessary to secure the freedoms we 
enjoy today.
  Congress has made significant strides in preserving the history of 
America. Unfortunately, too many of our Nation's founding moments, 
including many Revolutionary War battlefields, are slowly disappearing 
with the passage of time. As these places fade away, Americans become 
unaware that many of our Nation's defining moments occurred right in 
their own backyards.
  Kettle Creek Battlefield will not be forgotten thanks to the 
dedication and hard work of so many organizations and individuals.
  Located in Wilkes County, Georgia, the Battle of Kettle Creek 
occurred on February 14, 1779. It was a significant victory for the 
Patriot forces during the Southern Campaign of the American 
Revolutionary War.
  Led by Colonel Andrew Pickens, Patriot forces made a surprise attack 
on a large British allied Tory militia marching toward Augusta, 
Georgia. Despite outnumbering the Patriot forces nearly two to one, the 
ensuing four-hour bloody battle resulted in significant casualties for 
the Tory forces. With the Tory forces fleeing the battlefield, a 
Patriot victory was won. This valiant effort by Colonel Pickens and his 
men stopped any hope of a British advance into the backcountry frontier 
of Georgia.
  One of the notable stories from the battle I'd like to share is about 
an individual named Austin Dabney. Despite being a slave, Mr. Dabney 
was a private in the Patriot militia and served with honor and 
distinction until he was wounded at the Battle of Kettle Creek.
  And though crippled, after the battle, he returned to servitude. Mr. 
Dabney's actions that day were not forgotten. In fact, after the war in 
1786, an official act of the Georgia State Legislature emancipated Mr. 
Dabney and granted him 50 acres of land and an annual pension. This 
short statement of Mr. Dabney only scratches the surface of his 
incredible story. And yet it's something that we need never forget.
  Efforts to preserve the sacred site of the Kettle Creek Battlefield 
date back nearly one hundred years. Many individuals and organizations, 
including U.S. Senator Richard Russell and the Daughters of the 
American Revolution, have tried to ensure that this hallowed ground, 
and its priceless stories are not lost to time. Thankfully, a few 
individuals persevered.
  Following a momentous visit by the National Park Service Acting 
Director Dan Smith, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the 
Interior, David Bernhardt, finally designated the Kettle Creek 
Battlefield as an affiliated site of the National Park Service on 
January 14, 2021.
  With this designation, the National Park Service recognized the 
national significance of the Kettle Creek victory and committed to 
preserving this vital part of history for future generations.
  This recognition is an enormous win for those who have spent years 
working towards this goal. I want to extend a special `thank you' to a 
few individuals and organizations who went above and beyond the call of 
duty and helped make this day happen.
  First, I want to thank the community leaders of Wilkes County, 
including the Board of Commissioners, for their years of hard work that 
made it possible for Kettle Creek Battlefield to receive the 
recognition it deserves.
  I also want to thank former University of Georgia football coach (GO 
DAWGS!) and Civil War historian Vince Dooley and the American 
Battlefield Trust for acquiring 180 acres of the battlefield to 
transform these hallowed grounds into an educational, historic 
destination.
  Finally, I want to offer the most significant gesture of appreciation 
to Dr. Joe Harris and the Kettle Creek Battlefield Association. The 
incredible efforts of Dr. Harris and the KCBA to preserve the 
battlefield and its stories should be an inspirational example of what 
tireless dedication and selfless public service will achieve.
  These individuals and countless others from across the community, 
region, the State of Georgia, and beyond have made it possible to 
ensure future generations can learn about and appreciate this important 
part of Georgian and American history.
  I hope that one day my colleagues in this chamber and their 
constituents will visit the storied grounds of what Colonel Pickens 
described as the most significant victory of the Southern Campaign and 
a place where a young African American Patriot earned his freedom 86 
years prior to the end of slavery, for I firmly believe they are more 
than significant enough to preserve for future generations.
  I am proud to have been a part of the effort to preserve the history 
of Kettle Creek. I invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating this 
achievement, and I give my heartfelt appreciation to those individuals 
that made this moment possible.

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