Near Hudson`s Ferry, about four miles east of Newington, General Augustine Prevost established headquarters with 4000 British regulars and constructed redoubts in February, 1779. From this point the complete occupation of Georgia was directed and carried out. Cleverly masking his troop movements, Prevost left Hudson`s Ferry on March 1st, 1779 with 1500 of His Majesty`s best troops, encircled General Ashe`s Continentals and North Carolina Militia of 2300 men at the Freeman-Miller Bridge, attacked them from the rear, and practically destroyed them.