The First Battle of Baton Rouge

The Civil War Battle of Baton Rouge is well remembered in the city today, but it wasn't the first time two armies squared off for control of Red Stick: during the American Revolution, a clash between the British and Spanish colonial forces would contribute to Britain's rout in North America.

In 1777, Bernardo de Gálvez arrived in Louisiana. He had been sent to serve as the fourth Spanish governor of the colony of his military experience, which included fighting the Apache in Mexico and participating in a failed Spanish invasion of Algeria in 1775. Britain’s North American colonies had declared independence in 1776, and it was only a matter of time before Spain was dragged into the conflict. An experienced and ambitious military officer was called for if war broke out in Louisiana.

Just north of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain was British West Florida, which is today the “Florida Parishes” of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, and West Feliciana. The commander of the area was Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Dickson, with whom Gálvez was friendly before hostilities began. Gálvez allowed Dickson to buy cattle in Louisiana, and even their exchanges during the war were cordial. Unlike many other officers in the area, Dickson had servants instead of slaves.

 Gálvez openly supported the American Revolution by promoting trade with France, granting safe haven to American agents, and most importantly, stopping a thriving British smuggling operation in New Orleans. Oliver Pollock, an Irish immigrant and New Orleans resident who loaned the Americans large sums of money, acted as unofficial advisor to Gálvez. By 1778, the Spanish government was considering attacking the British.

Upon Spain's declaration of war in 1779, and with the knowledge that the British planned to take New Orleans, Gálvez invaded British West Florida. Gálvez’s army numbered 1,400 men, including Spanish regulars, freed slaves, local militia, Choctaws, and Acadians. On September 7, he seized Fort Bute, a small outpost at Bayou Manchac. However, six Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British escaped Fort Bute and went north to warn the Baton Rouge garrison.

Baton Rouge would be a tougher nut to crack; Dickson had concentrated most of Britain’s military forces there. The city was held by over 400 British and Hessian regulars and local militia supported by thirteen cannons. In addition, the British were sending hundreds of troops to Louisiana. If Dickson could hold out, he would have a force capable of defeating Gálvez.

After a brief pause, Galvez marched on Baton Rouge and arrived on September 12. Dickson had his men stationed at Fort New Richmond, which stood near where the Capitol is today, surrounded by a moat eighteen feet wide and nine feet deep. Gálvez encircled the fort. Realizing he would lose many troops if he approached it directly, Gálvez had his Acadians feint to draw Dickson’s attention. This night attack drew heavy fire from the British, but the Acadians took cover in the woods and suffered few losses. Meanwhile, Gálvez’s men dug siege trenches and gunpits within musket range of the fort.

On September 21, Gálvez fired on Fort New Richmond, and after three hours, Dickson decided he had had enough. In addition to capturing Baton Rouge, Gálvez also compelled Dickson to also surrender Fort Panmure at Natchez.

Gálvez’s campaign secured West Florida for Spain and derailed British plans to seize New Orleans. The campaign also showed that Gálvez was a talented commander, willing to take risks and make the best of his inexperienced troops. Gálvez was promoted to brigadier general, and in the next two years he seized Mobile and Pensacola, victories that allowed Spain to reclaim all of Florida, which the British had gained in 1763 through the peace treaties following the Seven Years’ War.

Today, a plaque in downtown Baton Rouge commemorates the battle. In New Orleans, a statue of Gálvez stands at the foot of Canal Street near the Mississippi River. Baton Rouge remained in Spanish hands until 1810, when it became part of the short-lived Republic of West Florida before joining the United States, which it has remained part of, with only brief interruption during the Civil War, until today.