The freedmen in Negro Fort refused to surrender and be returned to slavery and cries of "Give Me liberty or Give Me Death" were heard several times during the ensuing battle. Cannon fire was exchanged, but the shots of the inexperienced blacks did not find their marks.
A "hot shot" from an American cannon found its way into the fort's powder magazine and resulted in a huge explosion, reportedly heard as far away as 100 miles. It killed all but 30 of the fort's 300 occupants.
Garson and the Choctow chief were handed over to the Creek Indians who shot him and scalped the chief. The other blacks were returned to slavery. The Creeks managed to salvage 2,500 muskets, 50 carbines, 400 pistols and 500 swords from the ruins. (These numbers seem to be considerably high in my opinion.)
The battle made relations between the Creeks and Seminoles much worse (the Seminoles supported the blacks). It also tilted superiority to the Creeks with all their new weapons. The Seminoles also were mad at the United States which was part of the reason for the First Seminole War a year later.
Spain protested this blatant violation of its territory but lacked the power to do anything about it.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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