It was designated a national cemetery in 1881. When Spain owned Florida, it was part of a Franciscan monastery and occupied by the military during British occupation. When the United States took over, part of the old fort barracks was set aside as the post cemetery with the first internment coming in 1828. Many of the early burials were of men killed fighting the Seminole Indians in Florida.
On December 23, 1835, Major Francis L. Dade and his company were ordered from Tampa to reinforce General Wiley Thompson's troops at Fort King in Ocala, Florida. They got lost and were ambushed by the Seminoles with only one survivor.
The bodies of Dade and his men were buried a few months later by U.S. troops. In 1842, after fighting with the Seminoles ended, the bodies were reinterred in St, Augustine.
--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.
Showing posts with label St. Augustine Fla.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Augustine Fla.. Show all posts
Friday, August 28, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
St. Augustine National Cemetery-- Part 1
Located in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Dade Monument consists of three coquina pyramids and was erected in 1842 to mark the end of the Second Seminole War. Beneath the pyramids are the remains of 1,468 soldiers who died during the Seminole Wars, including the men of hapless Major Francis L. Dade who were massacred.
--Brock-Perry
The Dade Monument consists of three coquina pyramids and was erected in 1842 to mark the end of the Second Seminole War. Beneath the pyramids are the remains of 1,468 soldiers who died during the Seminole Wars, including the men of hapless Major Francis L. Dade who were massacred.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, May 15, 2015
Thomas A. Smith, U.S. Army in Patriot War-- Part 1
From the FortMose.com site.
On Wednesday, I blogged about the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen being commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith in the attack on Fort Mose outside St. Augustine, Florida.
Thomas Smith was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1781 and his family later moved to Wilkes County, Georgia (also an area tied up with the George Matthews, governor of Georgia and commander of the Patriots).
He was appointed from Georgia (no mention of appointed to what, but here I imagine he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point) and promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1803. Smith advanced through the ranks to Lt. Colonel by 1810 and was appointed to the rank of colonel while doing duty in Florida.
After Florida, he joined General Harrison's army and served in the Armies of the North, rising to the rank of brigadier general in January 1814.
--Brock-Perry
On Wednesday, I blogged about the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen being commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith in the attack on Fort Mose outside St. Augustine, Florida.
Thomas Smith was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1781 and his family later moved to Wilkes County, Georgia (also an area tied up with the George Matthews, governor of Georgia and commander of the Patriots).
He was appointed from Georgia (no mention of appointed to what, but here I imagine he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point) and promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1803. Smith advanced through the ranks to Lt. Colonel by 1810 and was appointed to the rank of colonel while doing duty in Florida.
After Florida, he joined General Harrison's army and served in the Armies of the North, rising to the rank of brigadier general in January 1814.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Fort Mose Historic State Site, Florida-- Part 3
A wall was built around the settlement with dwellings inside it. An earthen fort was also constructed.
It is believed that Fort Mose's existence was a big reason for the South Carolina Stono Rebellion in September 1739.
In 1740, James Oglethorpe led a retaliatory British attack and siege on Fort Mose, but was defeated by a combined force of Spanish, Indians and free black militia. The fort, however, was destroyed and Oglethorpe retreated back to Georgia. The Fort Mose inhabitants then stayed in St. Augustine until 1752 when the fort was rebuilt and blacks relocated there.
East Florida was ceded to the British by the Treaty of Paris ending the Seven Years War (French and Indian in North America) in 1763 and most blacks around St. Augustine migrated to Cuba which was still a Spanish possession. At that time it was estimated that the black population of Fort Mose and St. Augustine numbered around 3,000 with about 1/4 being free.
--Brock-Perry
It is believed that Fort Mose's existence was a big reason for the South Carolina Stono Rebellion in September 1739.
In 1740, James Oglethorpe led a retaliatory British attack and siege on Fort Mose, but was defeated by a combined force of Spanish, Indians and free black militia. The fort, however, was destroyed and Oglethorpe retreated back to Georgia. The Fort Mose inhabitants then stayed in St. Augustine until 1752 when the fort was rebuilt and blacks relocated there.
East Florida was ceded to the British by the Treaty of Paris ending the Seven Years War (French and Indian in North America) in 1763 and most blacks around St. Augustine migrated to Cuba which was still a Spanish possession. At that time it was estimated that the black population of Fort Mose and St. Augustine numbered around 3,000 with about 1/4 being free.
--Brock-Perry
Fort Mose State Historic Site, Florida-- Part 2
The Spanish began offering asylum to slaves from the British colonies as early as 1687. In 1693, they proclaimed that runaway slaves could be free in Florida if they converted to the Catholic religion and gave four years of military service.
Spain planned essentially to use the blacks as a buffer between St. Augustine and an English attack from the north.
In 1738, Fort Mose was built and escaped slaves directed there on arrival. Its leader wasan African-European Creole named Francisco Menendez.
Fort Mose was the very first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what eventually became the United States and eventually had 100 people.
--Brock-Perry
Spain planned essentially to use the blacks as a buffer between St. Augustine and an English attack from the north.
In 1738, Fort Mose was built and escaped slaves directed there on arrival. Its leader wasan African-European Creole named Francisco Menendez.
Fort Mose was the very first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what eventually became the United States and eventually had 100 people.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Fort Mose Historic State Park, Florida-- Part 1
From Wikipedia.
Originally known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose and a U.S. National Historic Landmark since Oct. 12, 1994. located two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. Also known as Fort Moosa or Fort Mossa after the Spanish pronunciation.
The original site of the 18th century fort and settlement was uncovered in a 1986 archaeological dig. Twenty-four acres now administered by the Florida State Parks and the premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail.
In 1738, the Spanish colonial government established it as a free black settlement.
--Brock-Perry
Originally known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose and a U.S. National Historic Landmark since Oct. 12, 1994. located two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. Also known as Fort Moosa or Fort Mossa after the Spanish pronunciation.
The original site of the 18th century fort and settlement was uncovered in a 1986 archaeological dig. Twenty-four acres now administered by the Florida State Parks and the premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail.
In 1738, the Spanish colonial government established it as a free black settlement.
--Brock-Perry
The Patriot War and Fort Mose-- Part 2
In March, these forces seized Fernadina on Amelia Island, right on the Georgia border. Next order of business was to capture St. Augustine, further south.
On April 12, 1812, the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith, occupied Fort Moosa (Fort Mose) near St. Augustine. The Spanish attacked and drove Smith back to an encampment further from St. Augustine.
On May 11, 1812, the Spanish set fire to the fort to prevent it being reoccupied by the Americans in another attempt at taking St. Augustine.
--Brock-Perry
On April 12, 1812, the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith, occupied Fort Moosa (Fort Mose) near St. Augustine. The Spanish attacked and drove Smith back to an encampment further from St. Augustine.
On May 11, 1812, the Spanish set fire to the fort to prevent it being reoccupied by the Americans in another attempt at taking St. Augustine.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 9: Fort Mose
The blacks who fought the Patriots mentioned in post #7 were from Fort Mose, located about two miles north of Augustine (pronounced Mos-say). It was established in 1738 as a free black settlement and is a historical site today.
--Brock-Perry
--Brock-Perry
Monday, May 11, 2015
The Republic of Florida
From the Florida Memory Blog.
In March 1812 a group of Georgia settlers organized themselves as the Patriot Army and had the defacto support of the U.S. government for the invasion of Spanish East Florida where they hoped to get settlers there to join the cause and proclaim their independence from Spain. Once this was accomplished, it was the Patriots intention to transfer control of their new republic over to the United States.
They seized Fernadina, on the northeast corner of the Spanish colony without firing a shot. Their next target was to be St. Augustine, farther south. They approached the Spanish city but couldn't get it to surrender.
Over the next several months, the Patriots fought several skirmishes against the Spanish. the Seminoles and their black allies.
They abandoned the project in early 1813.
Florida remained in Spanish hands for now.
--Brock-Perry
In March 1812 a group of Georgia settlers organized themselves as the Patriot Army and had the defacto support of the U.S. government for the invasion of Spanish East Florida where they hoped to get settlers there to join the cause and proclaim their independence from Spain. Once this was accomplished, it was the Patriots intention to transfer control of their new republic over to the United States.
They seized Fernadina, on the northeast corner of the Spanish colony without firing a shot. Their next target was to be St. Augustine, farther south. They approached the Spanish city but couldn't get it to surrender.
Over the next several months, the Patriots fought several skirmishes against the Spanish. the Seminoles and their black allies.
They abandoned the project in early 1813.
Florida remained in Spanish hands for now.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, May 8, 2015
The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 6: George Matthews, Leading the East Florida Republic,
As governor, he confronted problems with the Indians. he eventually moved to the Mississippi Territory and was involved in some dealings that may or may nor have been straight up.
As war with Britain loomed, Matthews was commissioned by President Madison to encourage and East Florida rebellion against their Spanish owners in an attempt to annex the land to the United States. His forces captured Fernadina, Florida, in March 1812 (before war was declared against Britain) and he was in the process of organizing an attack on St. Augustine when Madison recalled him.
Matthews immediately left Fernadina for Washington, D.C., to confront the president, but he died along the way in Augusta and was buried in the cemetery of St. Paul Episcopal Church.
This Man Deserves a Biography About His Life. --Brock-Perry
As war with Britain loomed, Matthews was commissioned by President Madison to encourage and East Florida rebellion against their Spanish owners in an attempt to annex the land to the United States. His forces captured Fernadina, Florida, in March 1812 (before war was declared against Britain) and he was in the process of organizing an attack on St. Augustine when Madison recalled him.
Matthews immediately left Fernadina for Washington, D.C., to confront the president, but he died along the way in Augusta and was buried in the cemetery of St. Paul Episcopal Church.
This Man Deserves a Biography About His Life. --Brock-Perry
Monday, May 4, 2015
The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 3: Beachin' It at PCB
As I sit here typing away overlooking the Gulf of Mexico here in Panama City Beach on a perfect spring day with blue skies, sun, a slight breeze and all that blue and light green water just about 100 yards away, I think it appropriate to delve into the role that Florida played during the War of 1812.
Thunder on the Beach, the annual spring motorcycle gathering just ended. Bikers are kind of like a modern day Conquistadores.
Try not to disturb the noisy gulls and every so often a pelican flying by.
Earlier this week, we were by the St. Mary's River as well as Jacksonville and its beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. And, we are not but about 80 miles from Pensacola which also played a role. We also spent a night in St. Augustine which actually came under attack by forces from the Republic of Florida.
--Brock-Perry
Thunder on the Beach, the annual spring motorcycle gathering just ended. Bikers are kind of like a modern day Conquistadores.
Try not to disturb the noisy gulls and every so often a pelican flying by.
Earlier this week, we were by the St. Mary's River as well as Jacksonville and its beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. And, we are not but about 80 miles from Pensacola which also played a role. We also spent a night in St. Augustine which actually came under attack by forces from the Republic of Florida.
--Brock-Perry
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