Background
In the spring of 1778 an invasion of East Florida was organized by Georgia Governor John Houstoun and Continental Army General Robert Howe. However, the two men could not agree on overall command of the expedition, and Houstoun refused to share his plans with Howe, leading to organizational and logistical difficulties.
Howe, in command of 1,100 regulars was waiting for Georgia and South Carolina militia companies to arrive when he learned on June 18 that Loyalist Thomas Brown and 300 men were at Fort Tonyn on the Florida side of the St. Mary's River. On June 28 his men crossed the St. Mary's in a move that was observed by Brown's scouts. Brown decided to retreat from the fort, which he burned after removing everything he could take with him.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Alligator Bridge
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