Final answer:
The Battle of Kettle Creek began with a surprise attack by a Patriot militia on a Loyalist camp west of Augusta, during the Revolutionary War's Southern Strategy phase. Option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Battle of Kettle Creek marked a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, unfolding as a Patriot militia launched a strategic assault on a Loyalist encampment located west of Augusta. This confrontation was a crucial episode within the broader context of the Southern theater, unfolding subsequent to the British capture of Savannah and the initiation of their "Southern Strategy." The British, aiming to consolidate control in the South, sought support from Loyalists, as well as enlisted the aid of enslaved individuals and Native American allies.
In the face of these imperial endeavors, American forces in the Southern colonies displayed remarkable resilience, mounting effective campaigns that impeded the realization of British objectives. Kettle Creek, in particular, stood as a testament to the Patriots' tactical acumen, catching the Loyalists by surprise and disrupting British plans in the region. The Southern theater thus became a battleground where ideological allegiances clashed, and the tenacity of American forces thwarted the complete implementation of the British Southern Strategy, contributing significantly to the eventual triumph of the Revolutionary cause.