Dr. Derden delivers program to Four Rivers Chapter members

During the Four Rivers Chapter’s monthly meeting held March 17 at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons, Dr. John Derden of Swainsboro delivered a program on General John Ashe, commander of the American forces when the Battle of Brier Creek occurred.

He first described the days leading up to the battle, then moved on to detailing the battle itself and the events that took place after its conclusion. Dr. Derden also mentioned the personal letters written by both American and British leaders the night before the battle, which was fought March 3, 1779 in Screven County.

In other meeting news, Dess Smith III, a dual member of both the Four Rivers Chapter and the local Wiregrass Chapter, made a special presentation to the meeting’s host. George King serves as president of the Four Rivers Chapter and called Smith forward, at which point he handed over to President King two streamers for the chapter’s participation in two separate events.

The first streamer presented by Smith was the Come and Take It Streamer earned by Four Rivers members at Fort Morris in Sunbury on November 20, 2021. At that time, Smith presented on behalf of the chapter a wreath to honor the Americans who died there.

Smith then presented a streamer that celebrated the Four Rivers Chapter’s laying of a wreath at Brier Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield. Held March 5, this event celebrated the 243-year heritage of the battle, and the wreath presented by the Four Rivers Chapter at the battlefield, like at Fort Morris, celebrated the late Patriots who fought and died at that location.

The meeting two weeks ago began at 6:30 p.m. and was attended by 10 people. Chaplain Emory Fennell said the invocation, led the U.S. and SAR pledges, delivered the processional, and voiced the closing prayer.

The Four Rivers Chapter will next meet April 22 at, per usual, Chatters Restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

To become a member of this chapter or for more information about it, contact Registrar Dean Mills by phone at 912-537-4261 or email him at ugaclassof1966@yahoo.com.