Georgia was the southern most colony and bordered Spanish Florida.
By the early 1700's England controlled the atlantic seaboard, except for Florida, which belonged to Spain. By 1739, when England officially went to war with Spain, Oglethorpe was back in Georgia. As military commander, his ultimate goal was to drive the Spaniards out of Georgia and South Carolina. He was ordered to capture St. Augustine, which was the Spanish outpost in Florida. He was able to keep the city under siege for thirty-eight days, but he eventually had to leave. He blamed his failure on the lack of people in the colony.
Although Oglethorpe was unable to capture the Spanish fort at St. Augustine, he was successful in eliminating the Spanish threat to Georgia and the Carolinas. The conclusive Battle of Bloody Marsh was fought on July 7, 1742, when Oglethorpe and his men ambushed the Spanish on St. Simons Island. About two hundred Spaniards were killed, but only one of Oglethorpe's rangers was lost.
Although Oglethorpe was unable to capture the Spanish fort at St. Augustine, he was successful in eliminating the Spanish threat to Georgia and the Carolinas. The conclusive Battle of Bloody Marsh was fought on July 7, 1742, when Oglethorpe and his men ambushed the Spanish on St. Simons Island. About two hundred Spaniards were killed, but only one of Oglethorpe's rangers was lost.