The siege of Augusta took place between May 22, 1781, and June 6, 1781. American Patriot forces, led by General Andrew Pickens and Colonel Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, were successful in capturing Augusta, Georgia held by British loyalist militia. Fort Cornwallis, the primary British defence, was successfully exposed to cannon fire by the construction of a tower high on which the Americans mounted a small cannon. The British surrendered on June 6. Background The arrival of the British regular army in Georgia in 1778 was shortly followed by the occupation of Augusta by loyalist Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Brown, leading the East Florida Rangers on January 31, 1779. Brown and the East Florida Rangers retreated from Augusta following the British defeat at the Battle of Kettle Creek in February 1779. Brown and his militia unit, rebranded as the King's Carolina Rangers retook August on June 8, 1780. On 14 September 1780 Elijah Clarke and Patriot forces launched a surprise assault on British held Augusta. The four day siege was unsuccessful and Clarke raised the siege, retreating on 18 September. Clarke's militia re-entered Wilkes County in April 1781. Joined by General Andrew Pickens’ militia and Major General Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee's continentals, they arrived outside Augusta on May 21, 1781. Siege begins On April 16, Patriot militia companies under the command of Micajah Williamson arrived on the outskirts of Augusta, Georgia and established a fortified camp. The garrison of the town's primary fortification, Fort Cornwallis, was held by the King's Carolina Rangers commanded by Loyalist Thomas Brown, and did not immediately confront Williamson due to exaggerated reports of his troop strength. General Andrew Pickens maneuvered a force of 400 men between Augusta and Ninety Six, South Carolina to prevent the British outpost there from reinforcing Brown. On May 15, Williamson was joined by his commander, Elijah Clarke and another 100 men, effectively cutting British supply lines. General Nathanael Greene had sent Major Henry Lee to attempt the capture of Ninety Six, but when Lee neared he learned that the town had been fortified in anticipation of Greene's arrival. Greene then ordered Lee to assist Pickens at Augusta. Pressing on, Lee reached Augusta after traveling in three days. Galphin's prize On May 21, the stockaded house of George Galphin, an Indian agent, located south of Augusta, was attacked by forces under Clarke and Lee. After a brief exchange, in which one Patriot died