This Month in War of 1812: Chesapeake Bay, Lewes, Mobile, West Florida and York

All events in April 1813.

APRIL 1813

**  Commerce raids  begin in the Chesapeake Bay.

APRIL 6, 1813

**  Lewes, Delaware bombarded by the British.

APRIL 13

**  Capture of Mobile, Alabama, by the British

APRIL 15

Americans occupy West Florida.

APRIL 27

**  Battle of York.

--Brock-Perry

West Florida's William King-- Part 2: Military Governor

William King was with Andrew Jackson during his controversial invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida and occupation of Pensacola. Jackson interpreted the surrender of the Spanish governor there as giving the United States control over all of West Florida.

 Jackson then appointed King as the military governor and charged him with enforcing Spanish laws and protecting Spanish people and property.  In addition, King oversaw the dispersal of Tennessee and Kentucky militia.

However, Jackson's invasion of West Florida was a serious threat to U.S. negotiations with Spain to get all of Florida and President James Monroe wanted West Florida restored to Spanish control as soon as possible.  King served at his post until relieved by Edmund P. Gaines.

William Gaines was discharged from the Army in June 1821 and died in January 1826.

Fort King in Florida was named for him.

--Brock-Perry

West Florida's Col. William King-- Part 1: Fort King Named for Him

I have been writing about Florida's Fort King in the last two posts.  It was named for William King.

From Wikipedia.

Born in Delaware in the late 18th century.  Died in January 1826.

U.S. Army officer and military governor of West Florida from May 26, 1818, to Feb. 4, 1819.  He was appointed by Andrew Jackson who led the U.S. occupation of Spanish West Florida during the First Seminole War.

King was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1808 and served in the War of 1812.  In 1813, he was promoted to colonel and led the 4th U.S. Infantry regiment.  After the war, he served with Jackson in the First Seminole War and was with him during Jackson's controversial 1818 invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida.

--Brock-Perry