Siege of Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida, USA
What happened
Spanish and French forces under Bernardo de Gálvez besieged the British capital of West Florida, defended by General John Campbell. Spanish ships forced their way into Pensacola Bay, and the army dug trenches and brought its cannons closer to the British forts. A hurricane drove the fleet away, but the army stayed. After an explosion at a British redoubt, Campbell surrendered on 10 May 1781.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Spain won back West Florida, and Britain was left with no bases on the Gulf coast. Gálvez had already helped the American rebels by sending them gunpowder, muskets and medicine.
What came next
Gálvez became governor of West Florida and Louisiana, and the 1783 Treaty of Paris returned the Floridas to Spain. Spain and the Creek nation signed the Treaty of Pensacola in 1784.
Did you know?
The king let Gálvez add the words 'Yo Solo', 'I alone', to his coat of arms, because he led the ships into the bay himself.
Timeline
- 9 March 1781The siege begins.
- 5–6 May 1781A hurricane drives off the Spanish fleet.
- 10 May 1781General Campbell surrenders.
- 16 December 2014The US Congress makes Gálvez an honorary citizen.