Battles & Campaigns · 1779
Battle of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
What happened
Spanish forces under Bernardo de Gálvez besieged a British garrison under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Dickson. Spain joined the war against Britain during the American Revolution. Gálvez took Fort Bute, then moved on Baton Rouge, faked an attack through the woods and dug trenches close to Fort New Richmond. After his guns opened fire, Dickson surrendered the next day along with 375 regular soldiers.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory drove the British off the lower Mississippi River. It opened the way for Spanish attacks on Mobile and Pensacola.
What came next
Gálvez was promoted and took Pensacola in 1781.
Did you know?
Gálvez let the captured local militia go home instead of keeping them as prisoners.
Timeline
- 7 September 1779Gálvez captures Fort Bute.
- 21 September 1779Baton Rouge surrenders.
- March 1780Gálvez takes Mobile.
- 8 May 1781Gálvez takes Pensacola.