MONDAY'S MILITARY - Henry A. Horst, USNA Class of 1882, Part II

[This past weekend I was contacted by a docent at the United States Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. He had read my post regarding Henry August Horst (1861-1922), the younger brother of my great-great-grandfather Charles Frederick Horst (1856-1912) - which had included pictures and information about Henry's education at the Naval Academy, from 1878-1882. He thanked me for post on Henry, and told me how he had used the biographical sketch on him to write his own sketch that he would be able to share with visitors at the museum. The man, Gregg Overbeck, was himself a graduate of the Academy in 1969 and enjoyed researching the many important, heroic, scandalous and infamous graduates throughout the school's history, which he could then share with visitors at the museum.



Class Ring of Henry A. Horst
on display at U.S.Naval Academy Museum
Annapolis, Maryland

He asked to send me his sketch of Henry, along with pictures of Henry's class ring that his son Martin Lyon Horst had donated to the museum in the 1960's while traveling through the area. The ring is on display, along with many others, at the museum but they had no story of the man whose ring it was. They now have his story.

A few of my facts were corrected in the biography, and the answer to the question of 'Why did Henry leave the Navy after graduation' was answered. I hope this will add to Henry's story. And isn't it nice that 90 years after his death he is still being talked about and his story is still being told?]


Henry A. Horst, Part II
On June 21, 1878, Henry August Horst entered the United States Naval Academy, after receiving a nomination from Alabama. Henry was the son of German immigrants Martin Horst (1830-1878) and Apollonia Weinschenk Horst (1829-1908), my great-great-great grandparents. Cadet Midshipman Horst graduated 23 of 37 cadet midshipmen on June 9, 1882.

Henry A. Horst
Cadet Midshipman - U.S. Naval Academy
Class of 1882

" Following the Civil War the United States Navy was in slow decline due to limited funds and fewer ships.  The Naval Officer Corps was swollen with officers, promotions were based on seniority and passed midshipmen (those who had graduated, spent two years at sea as required and passed their finally examination by the Academic Board) had to wait as long as eight years to receive an Ensign’s commission.  In order to create an opening for a new Ensign’s commission, a senior officer had to die or go on the retired list. 

 

On August 5, 1882, two months after Horst’s graduation, Congress passed a law that stipulated that the Navy could only commission that number of officers for which there were actual vacancies on a ship but not less than ten a year. The act required that those allowed to continue should be appointed in the order of merit, as determined by the Academic Board after examination at the conclusion of their six-year course.  Those who didn’t make the cut where given a certificate of graduation, an honorable discharge, and one year’s sea pay of about $950.  For Passed Cadet Midshipmen Horst’s class of 1882 that meant only 12 graduates could be taken into the Navy in 1884. The law also eliminated the distinction between cadet midshipmen and cadet engineers calling them naval cadets.

 

In 1884, Passed Naval Cadet Horst resigned from the Navy. He returned to Mobile, Alabama and took up employment as a bookkeeper and started a very successful civilian career." [from biographical sketch written by Gregg Overbeck, 2013]

 

 

The United States Naval Academy Museum
"Located in Preble Hall on the Academy grounds, The U.S. Naval Academy Museum holds large collections of unique and rare naval memorabilia. The Rogers Ship Models Collection consists of 108 models of the sailing ship era dating from 1650 to 1850; seventeen are scale models built for the use of the British Admiralty. The more than 5,000 naval prints in the Beverley R. Robinson Collection depict major naval battles and ships from the 16th century to the present. Most pieces are contemporary to their subjects and represent three centuries in the art of printmaking. The Malcolm Storer Navy Medals Collection of 1,210 commemorative coin-medals, dating from as early as 254 B.C., was gathered from more than thirty countries. The U.S. Navy Trophy Flag Collection of 600 historic American and captured flags features the "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag flown at the Battle of Lake Erie and banners that have been to the moon." [from www.history.navy.mil]

Check out their website at www.usna.edu/Museum/ or visit the museum Mon-Sat. 9:00-5:00, Sun. 11:00-5:00. Admission is FREE.

MONDAY'S MILITARY - Henry August Horst, 1882 Naval Academy Graduate

Henry August Horst
1882 Graduate U.S. Naval Academy

Henry August Horst was born in Mobile, Alabama on January 28, 1861. He is my great-great-great-uncle. His parents were Martin Horst (1830-1878) and Apollonia Weinschenk (1829-1908), my 3x-great-grandparents. He was their third son of six (only four survived to adulthood); Henry also had two younger sisters. His oldest brother, Charles Frederick (1856-1912), is my great-great-grandfather.

Henry was the only son in his family to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. (His brothers attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, a Catholic men's school.) He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1882 and stayed in the Navy until 1884.

1882 Naval Academy Graduating Class
Henry Horst seated far right

United States Naval Academy
"When the founders of the United States Naval Academy were looking for a suitable location, it was reported that the Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft decided to move the naval school to 'the healthy and secluded' location of Annapolis in order to rescue midshipmen from 'the temptations and distractions that necessarily connect with a large and populous city'. The Philadelphia Naval Asylum School was its predecessor.

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
taken between 1860-1880

The Naval School was established in 1845 at a 10-acre Army post named Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland with a class of 50 midshipmen and 7 professors. The curriculum included mathematics and navigation, gunnery and steam, English, chemistry, natural philosophy and French. In 1850 the Naval School became the United States Naval Academy. A new curriculum went into effect requiring midshipmen to study at the school for four years and to train aboard ships each summer. The campus of 10 acres increased to 338. The original student body of 50 midshipmen increased to a brigade size of 4,000. Modern granite buildings replaced the old wooden structures of Fort Severn." [taken in part from www.usna.edu/VirtualTour/150years/ ]

After Service in the Navy

Henry August Horst

After leaving the Navy Henry returned to his hometown. On July 13, 1887, Henry married Harriett "Hattie" Clitherall Hall (1866-1893), the daughter of a prominent Mobile physician. Henry and Hattie lived in her family's home at 110 St. Emmanuel Street, a house that had been passed down from her maternal grandfather. At this time Henry worked as a bookkeeper at Eichold Bros. & Weiss, a liquor distributor much like his father had been.

Henry and Hattie soon had two children, Henry Alexander, born May 23, 1888, and Harriett "Hattie" Mae, born May 13, 1890. Tragedy struck the family when Henry's wife died on February 3, 1893. She was just 26; her children were 4 and 2.

On June 10, 1896, Henry married Behethelen "Hetty" Gaines Lyon (1872-1923). Henry and Hetty soon started their own family - Martin Lyon, born June 25, 1897; Mary Lyon, born August 31, 1898; Thomas Temple Armstrong, born October 27, 1900; and Windham Lyon, born January 12, 1903. Their daughter Mary died at the age of 3 on Christmas Eve, 1901. Youngest child Windham died the day after his 16th birthday; his cause of death was listed as "epilepsy".

Henry Horst Obituary
Mobile Register, March 1922

Just three years later Henry, too, died, from stomach cancer on March 12, 1922. He was 61. One year later Hetty passed away, on July 26, 1923. Her cause of death was listed as "acute indigestion". She was only 50 years old. They are all buried at Magnolia Cemetery.
Henry's descendants are numerous, most still living in Mobile. One great-grandson said that his grandfather Martin gave Henry's class ring to the Naval Academy back in the 60's when he was up visiting relatives.

Interestingly I have a cousin, also descended from Charles F. Horst, Henry's older brother, who attended and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1979, almost one hundred years after our great-great-great uncle Henry.

MONDAY'S MILITARY - Jacques Fortier & the 1811 German Coast Slave Uprising

Jacques Omer Fortier (1759-1820) was the fifth child, and second son, of Michel Fortier (1725-1785) and Perinne Langlois (1734-1804), my 6th great-grandparents. Michel Fortier had been the Royal Armourer under King Louis XV, after arriving in Louisiana from France in 1840. Jacques was born in New Orleans on March 14, 1859. His godfather at his baptism at New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral was Jacques Toutant Beauregard (1722-1782), great-grandfather of infamous Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893). Jacques Fortier is my 5th great-grandfather.

Jacques had participated 1779 with Governor Bernardo de Galvez in defense of Louisiana during the American Revolution [see post "Monday's Military-Our Own Revolutionary War Heroes", July 4, 2011 for more information]. He was appointed Second Lieutenant on April 5, 1785 with the 5th Right Louisiana Militia. He married my 5th great-grandmother Aimee Marie Victoire Felicite Durel (1768-1843) on October 1, 1787. Together they had ten children, including my 4th great-grandfather Jacques Omer Fortier (1792-1823). In addition to serving with the volunteer militia, Jacques owned Pasture Plantation, a sugar cane plantation, below Belle Grove in "Cannes Brules", in what is now Kenner, Louisiana.

By 1803-05, Jacques had risen to the rank of Colonel in the Louisiana Militia. He would play a significant role in the largest slave uprising in American history, until recently largely unknown. This year, on January 9-11, 2011, marked the 200th Anniversary of the 1811 German Coast Slave Uprising. Along with local exhibits, guest lectures and a wide variety of special events commemorating the event, American Uprising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt was released. Written by Daniel Rasmussen, it tells the story of three days in New Orleans' history, what led up to it and what the consequences were for the men who fought for their freedom.

There are now websites dedicated to the event (www.1811SlaveRevolt.com and www.theslaverebellion.org) and blogs discussing it. National Public Radio tells the story - go to www.npr.org/2011/01/16/132839717/american-rising-when-slaves-took-on-new-orleans to listen to it - as does Wikipedia - www.en.wikipedia.org/1811_German_Coast_Uprising. My story is taken from the Genealogy Trails History Group website, www.genealogytrails.com/lou/orleans/slave_revolt.html. 

1811 German Coast Slave Uprising
[Note: The German Coast was a region of Louisiana settlement located above New Orleans on the Mississippi River, from east to west, in what is now St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes. The name comes from the large number of Germans who first settled the area in 1721. Eventually French settlers moved into the area, joining their culture and families and, along with other settlers, helped to create Cajun culture.]

"It began January 8, 1811, on a plantation owned by Manuel Andry in St. Charles Parish, thirty-six miles south of New Orleans (near the present-day town of Norco). Charles Deslondes, a refugee from St. Domingue who worked as a slave driver on the plantation, organized the other slaves on the plantation. With the support of runaway slaves, or "maroons," who lived in the nearby swamps, Deslondes' band wounded Andry and killed his son.

from The Times-Picayune, January 3, 2011
[CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

Seizing weapons on the plantation, they set off on the road along the river headed for New Orleans, gathering recruits from other plantations as they went. Accounts differ, but they numbered between 150 and 500 strong. Alarmed planters fled with their families down-river to New Orleans ahead of them, sounding the alarm. During the night of January 9 and the morning of January 10, a detachment of United States regular troops and two companies of militia attacked the slaves at Jacques Fortier's plantation in St. Charles Parish, stopping the advance on New Orleans. Sixty-six slaves were killed. Seventy-five were held for questioning. [Note: Charles Deslondes was not taken in. One observer noted: 'Charles had his Hands chopped off then shot in one thigh & then the other, until they were both broken - then shot in the Body and before he had expired was put into a bundle of straw and roasted!']

After a week of investigation, Judge Pierre Bauchet Saint Martin of St. Charles Parish empanelled a tribunal of plantation owners, some of whom had suffered property damage in the revolt. [Two of the tribunal members were Adelard Fortier (1775-UNK), younger brother of Jacques and my 6x great uncle, and Edmond Fortier (1784-1849), son of Jacques' brother Michel II (1750-1819), and my first cousin 5x removed.]

Of the seventy-five slaves who were held, twenty-five were tried at Noel Destrehan's plantation. On January 15, 1811, after one day of investigation, the tribunal condemned eighteen of the slaves. They were taken to the plantations of their respective masters, where they were shot and their heads cut off and mounted on poles as an example to the remaining slaves.

[In response, this letter was sent:]

March 6, 1811- Col. J. Fortier, in his private name, and in that of all the inhabitants of the upper coast, begs leave to address to General Hampton, and the offers and troops under his command, as well as to the detachment of the corps of marine, the sincerest expressions of thankfulness, for the zeal and promptitude with which they have been protected. The respect for the persons and property and strict discipline of the troops, deserved the greatest encomium. The body of volunteers are also requested to make a merited share of praise for their courage and patience, in suffering privations and unavoidable fatigues on such occasions; and although the invaluable service which they have rendered to the county can be feebly expressed, it will ever be engraved in the hearts of all the inhabitants, and peculiarly in that of col. J. Fortiers."

MONDAY'S MILITARY - PAUL BOULO & THE BATTLE OF SHILOH

Paul Augustus Boulo married my 3rd great-aunt Luciana "Lucy" Fortier in Mobile, Alabama in 1888. Paul was born in Mobile on June 13, 1842. His parents were immigrants - Paul Boulo (1809-before 1880) was born in Genoa, Italy; Ursule C. (March 1823-before 1910) was born in France. Paul was the oldest of eight children.

On October 13, 1861, Paul enlisted with the 21st Alabama Regiment Volunteer Infantry Company E. He was a private, one of 71, in "Woodruff Rifles". The regiment originally stayed at Fort Gaines in Mobile until March 1862. According to the Alabama Archives website, "it remained there a few days, then moved to Corinth (Mississippi), where it was brigaded under Gen. Gladden. The regiment took part in the battle of Shiloh, where it lost six color-bearers in succession, and 200 killed and wounded out of about 650 engaged and was complimented in general orders."

Paul Boulo, at the age of 19, participated in the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, April 6-7, 1862. On the first day of the battle he was severely wounded in action. Of the 84 members of Company E, 17 were wounded, 3 were missing and 8 were killed - a 27% casualty rate. Paul survived his wounds but was discharged due to the disabling wound, on July 5, 1862. He continued as a volunteer in Mobile in the Ordnance Division, responsible for weapons and ammunition in the city.



Boulo Family ca. 1901
(L to R) May, Lucy, Joseph, Paul Boulo; (standing back) Paul, Jr.
 [daughter Aimee died in 1900 at age 9]



In 1870, Paul listed his occupation in the Census as "City Tax Collector"; he was living at home with his mother and younger siblings. By 1880, he was working as a clerk. In 1888, at the age of 46, he married 27-year-old Lucy Fortier (1861-1942), the younger sister of Odalie Fortier Horst (1857-1920), my great-great-grandmother. Lucy, along with her twin brother Lucian "Lucie" (1861-1884) were the next-to-youngest of eleven children, born in New Orleans to Jacques Omer Fortier (1813-1867) and Augustine Melanie Laperle DeGruy (1822-1872), my 3rd-great-grandparents.

After their marriage Paul and Lucy had four children. Paul worked as a grocer and liquor dealer. Paul died on March 19, 1909. His obituary listed his military history:

"He was a member of Raphael Semmes Camp No. 11 U.C.V. (United Confederate Veterans). He enlisted and went to the front at the call to arms at the beginning of the Civil war, as a member of Company E, Twenty-first Alabama Regiment Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. There are only three surviving members of the company." [Mobile Register, March 20, 1909]

BATTLE OF SHILOH

[from www.nps.gov]

"As a result of the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander in the area, was forced to fall back, giving up Kentucky and much of West and Middle Tennessee. He chose Corinth, Mississippi, a major transportation center, as the staging area for an offensive against Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee before the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, could join it. The Confederate retrenchment was a surprise, although a pleasant one, to the Union forces, and it took Grant, with about 40,000 men, some time to mount a southern offensive, along the Tennessee River, toward Pittsburg Landing. Grant received orders to await Buell’s Army of the Ohio at Pittsburg Landing. Grant did not choose to fortify his position; rather, he set about drilling his men many of which were raw recruits.

Johnston originally planned to attack Grant on April 4, but delays postponed it until the 6th. Attacking the Union troops on the morning of the 6th, the Confederates surprised them, routing many. Some Federals made determined stands and by afternoon, they had established a battle line at the sunken road, known as the “Hornets Nest.” Repeated Rebel attacks failed to carry the Hornets Nest, but massed artillery helped to turn the tide as Confederates surrounded the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded most. 

Johnston had been mortally wounded earlier and his second in command, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, took over. The Union troops established another line covering Pittsburg Landing, anchored with artillery and augmented by Buell’s men who began to arrive and take up positions. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Federals  held. By the next morning, the combined Federal forces numbered about 40,000, outnumbering Beauregard’s army of less than 30,000. Beauregard was unaware of the arrival of Buell’s army and launched a counterattack in response to a two-mile advance by William Nelson’s division of Buell’s army at 6:00 am, which was, at first, successful. Union troops stiffened and began forcing the Confederates back. Beauregard ordered a counterattack, which stopped the Union advance but did not break its battle line. At this point, Beauregard realized that he could not win and, having suffered too many casualties, he retired from the field and headed back to Corinth.

On the 8th, Grant sent Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman, with two brigades, and Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, with his division, in pursuit of Beauregard. They ran into the Rebel rearguard, commanded by Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, at Fallen Timbers. Forrest’s aggressive tactics, although eventually contained, influenced the Union troops to return to Pittsburg Landing. Grant’s mastery of the Confederate forces continued; he had beaten them once again. The Confederates continued to fall back until launching their mid-August offensive."

CASUALTIES
                   Union                                                Confederate
               Dead: 1,754                                          Dead: 1,723
               Wounded: 8,408                                   Wounded: 8,012
               Missing: 2,885                                      Missing: 959
                  Total: 13,047                                        Total: 10,694

MONDAY'S MILITARY - Georg Huber (1880-1934)

German Troops during World War I
Georg Huber (standing, 2nd from right)



Georg Huber
(1880-1934)

Georg Huber, my 1st cousin three times removed, was born in Alzey, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, on March 20, 1880. His father, Georg Huber (1838-1926), was the brother of Phillip Huber (1847-1901) - my great-great-Grandfather. Their parents were Georg Huber (1809-1900) and Eva Katherina Fauth (1807-1875), my 3rd-great-grandparents. The Hubers lived in Florsheim, Hessen, Germany.

Phillip Huber left Germany and came to America about 1868, settled in Bowling Green, Kentucky and married Barbara Brunett (1852-1896). Phillip worked as a miller and together they had seven children. After Barbara's death, Phillip and their four surviving children moved to Bessemer, Alabama. Phillip's daughter Mary (1873-1913) married John Martin O'Donnell (1865-1937) and together they had four children, including my maternal grandfather John Huber O'Donnell (1905-1964).



Georg Huber
"Mineral water & Lemonade Factory"

Phillip's brother Georg, their parents and remaining siblings remained in Germany. Georg married Margaretha Schollenberger (1852-1921) and they had one child, Georg. Georg served in the military and fought in World War I. He survived the war, married Phillipina Regner (1882-1976) and they had one daughter, Anna Katherina Huber (1914-1985), my second cousin, twice removed. Georg died on April 8, 1934 in his hometown of Alzey, Germany.

MONDAY'S MILITARY - Our Own Revolutionary War Heroes - In Celebration of Independence Day

Most of the families in my mother's tree immigrated to America after the Revolutionary War. But there are still several actual ancestors that earned all of us membership in the Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution. Here are the stories of our very own Revolutionary heroes:

Jacques Omer Fortier (March 4, 1759-September 15, 1820) was my 5th great-Grandfather. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second son of Michel Fortier (1725-September 20, 1785), a prosperous sugar-cane plantation owner on the Great River Road, and Perinne Langlois (1734-March 19, 1804); he was the fifth of twelve children. Jacques married Aimee Marie Victoire Felicitie Durel (November 17, 1868-November 27, 1843) on October 1, 1787. The couple had ten children, including my 4th great-Grandfather Jacques Omer Fortier (September 2, 1792-July 28, 1823).

Obituary of Jacques Fortier from New Orleans Louisiana Courier
18 Sep 1820
"Died, on 15th current, at his home in Cannes Brulees (“Burnt Cane” a.k.a. Kenner, Louisiana),
Mr. Jacques Fortier, aged 63, one of the most highly recommendable inhabitants of the country.
Mr. Jacques Fortier leaves a large (“numerable”) family and many friends to mourn (“cry”) his loss."

 [This Jacques and his wife Charlotte Adele Chauvin deLery (1796-May 4, 1834) had three children including oldest child Jacques Omer (1813-December 19, 1867), my 3rd great-Grandfather. Omer and his wife, Augustine Melanie Laperle DeGruy (January 17, 1822-November 1, 1872), were the parents of eleven. Their seventh child, Odalie Felice Fortier (August 31, 1857-November 14, 1920, was my great-great-Grandmother. Odalie married Charles Frederick Horst (December 21, 1856-August 30, 1912) and together they had five children. Their middle daughter, Pearl Alphonsine Horst (November 19, 1884-September 25, 1961), was my great-Grandmother and mother to my maternal Grandmother Susan Elizabeth Flemming O'Donnell (August 23, 1909-July 7, 1999).]

          Jacques Fortier was, like his father, a successful plantation owner several miles outside New Orleans. He also was a member of the German Coast Militia, made up of white males who were ready when called upon to serve. He, along with members of the other area militia, joined forces with Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish Governor of Louisiana, in 1779 and took part in defending Louisiana, a part of Spain at this time, from the British in key battles. Jacques Fortier achieved the rank of Colonel during his years in the militia. [See "Louisiana Soldiers in the American Revolution" below]

Colonel Michel Fortier II

Michel Fortier II (September 12, 1750-September 19, 1819) was the oldest child of Michel and Perinne Fortier, and brother to Jacques. He was my fifth Great-grand-Uncle. Michel was a planter and merchant, and served as a Captain during the campaigns under de Galvez, 1779-1881, along with his brother, cousins and other relatives. He later became a Colonel. He also became a member of the first city council in New Orleans. Michel II married Marie Rose Durel (1756-August 28, 1788), sister of his brother Jacques' wife Aimee. Together they had seven children. He is buried at St. Louis Cemetery #1.

Fallen marker at St. Louis Cemetery #1
Jn. Baptiste Degruy & Melanie Gaudin

Jean Baptiste Valentin DuFouchard DeGruy (March 8, 1751-March 1, 1838) was my 4th great-Grandfather, and father to Melanie Augustine Laperle DeGruy (see Jacques Fortier descendants above). According to a copy of his Service Record, Jean Baptiste had joined the Louisiana militia on September 25, 1774, subsequently serving in the German Coast Militia for over 17 years, then serving in the German Coast Disciplined Provincial Militia for over 8 years. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. Jean Baptiste participated in the Campaigns of Ft. Bute in Manchac & Baton Rouge in 1779, and Mobile in 1780 during the Revolutionary War, under Galvez [see story below]. It was noted in his service record: "known valor; average application; good capacity & conduct."

Louisiana Soldiers in the American Revolution

          "During the early days of the Louisiana Colony, it was the duty of all able young men to serve in the militia, and to do their part to insure the protection of all. Militias were formed in the German Coast, Point Coupee, Opelousas and Attakapas throughout Louisiana.

          Spain, already in control of Florida, signed the secret Treaty of Fountainbleau, along with France in 1762, giving Spain the additional territory of Louisiana west of the Mississippi River and the Isle of Orleans. Then, in 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed giving Britain control of the French held territory of Canada and the Spanish held Territory of Florida. These events unknowingly helped to set the stage for the shaping of the next twenty years of history and the birth of a new nation.

         As America's war for independence was raging following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Spain, still in control of Louisiana, remained officially neutral, but ever watchful of the powerful British forces. In September 1776 Spain appointed a new Governor of Louisiana, Don Bernardo de Galvez, just 29 years old, to replace the retiring governor. Although Spain remained officially neutral, Galvez secretly helped the Americans by supplying munitions and money to Washington's Army fighting in the Western part of the 13 colonies, and facilitated American shipping by sea and up the Mississippi River, all the while improving the defenses of the Louisiana Colony.

          In 1778 France joined in the war in support of the new American Government, but Spain continued to resist official involvement and Galvez continued aiding the Americans in secret. His surveillance of the British, particularly at Pensacola, began to yield evidence that they were reinforcing their defenses beyond reasonable means. It was obvious that some form of attack was forthcoming, and it was suspected that the attack would be waged against New Orleans. The time had come and a decision had to be made. Galvez could wait for the suspected attack by the British, or he could take the initiative and attack them first.

          These events finally led to Spain's declaration of war against England in May of 1779, and Galvez was given permission to attack the British. He immediately began preparations and the attack was planned for the first part of August. Disaster struck less than a week before his troops were to leave. In his words, "a hurricane, like none other registered in the memory of this colony," destroyed every ship so painstakingly fortified by Galvez for the impending attack. The city was totally devastated and even more importantly, defenseless. The colonists also felt the fury of the storm. Their crops and homes were destroyed as well as the stores and provisions of the colony. If the British, who had not experienced the devastation of the hurricane, had attacked New Orleans at this time, they would have gained control with very little resistance.

          Galvez knew that something had to be done, and that there was no time to spare. Knowing of the devastation of the residents of New Orleans, he hesitated to ask for their help, but had been left with no other choice. He could not even be sure that the ships scheduled to arrive from Spain with reinforcements, had not also perished in the storm. And so it was that Galvez presented the facts to the inhabitants of the city. Although he hoped for a favorable response, he seemed somewhat surprised and relieved when, without a second thought, every man capable rallied to his aid.

          Word of the situation was soon passed to the settlements of the German Coast, Point Coupee, Opelousas and Attakapas. Although these areas had not felt the full fury of the hurricane as those in New Orleans had, they no doubt suffered the consequences of the torrential rains and damaging winds. Even with their fields and homes damaged, they, just as the inhabitants of New Orleans, did not hesitate to band together and lend their assistance to Galvez.

          Meanwhile, Galvez was finally able to leave New Orleans with an army of about 600 of his men, mostly new Spanish recruits. They were joined along their way to English-held Manchac, about 115 miles up the Mississippi River on British West Florida, by the 500 or so men from the Opelousas, Attakapas, Point Coupee and German Coast Militia, as well as Indians and free men of color willing to fight in the conflict. This rag tag army, containing men of every "class, nation, and color," endured many hardships on the nearly two week long journey. The bad roads and thick forests no doubt slowed their progress, and with no tents to protect them from the elements and very few supplies, many were forced to drop out along the way due to illness and exhaustion. By the time the group reached Fort Bute at Manchac, Galvez had lost nearly one third of his army, but, thanks to the added numbers of the colony's militia, they were still of sufficient force to capture the fort.

         After a few days of rest, the still shrinking army continued on their trek towards Baton Rouge. At Manchac, Galvez had had the element of surprise on his side, as the English were not yet aware that Spain had declared war against them. Not so at Baton Rouge, and as they approached the fort, the English began to fire on them.

           Realizing that to storm the well fortified and protected fort would be certain suicide for his army, Galvez sent one group of his army into the woods near the fort to draw the attention and fire of the enemy. They were protected by the trees of the dense woods and very little damage was done to them. Meanwhile, the rest of his army was busy digging trenches behind the fence of a peach orchard, a short distance from the fort. By the time the British realized where the main body of the Spanish Army actually was, they were already in the protected shelter of the trenches. The following morning, September 21, 1779, Galvez began a serious attack on the fort, and within a few short hours the British surrendered. Galvez also insisted that Fort Panmure of Natchez be turned over to him, and the British, having no other choice, accepted his terms.

          During the next few years, with the aid of the militia companies of the colony, Galvez went on to wage successful battles against the other British held forts of Mobile and Pensacola, thus returning the Florida Territory to the control of Spain.

The Importance of Spain's Actions

          In order to understand the importance of Spain's actions during the years of the American Revolution, one must first remember that Louisiana, at that time, consisted of the entire interior section of the present United States east of the Mississippi River and south of Canada.

          England owned the Floridas, and if Spain had allowed the British to attack and take New Orleans, they would have been in complete control of the mouth of the Mississippi River, as well as the Port of New Orleans. Once the British were in control of New Orleans, Galvez would have been hampered in trying to retain control of the rest of the colony as most of the trade and reinforcements from Spain were received in the New Orleans Port. Eventually England would have no doubt taken control of all of Louisiana, giving them not only complete control of the Mississippi at its mouth, but the entire Eastern side of the river as well.

          If this had occurred, the outcome of the American Revolution could very well have ended with England the victor. If England had gained that much control of the Mississippi River, it would have been as though they had opened a back door to the American Colony, thus giving Britain the ability to attack them from the west by way of the river as well as from the east by way of the ocean. This explains why some historians credit Galvez's capturing of the British held Floridas a turning point in the war, and why the militiamen of the Colony of Louisiana are, most definitely, Veterans of the American Revolution."

- from "A History of Louisiana Soldiers", posted by Lee Crockett on http://genform.genealogy.com, 24 Jan 2003