Siege of St. Augustine (1740) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of St. Augustine
Part of the War of Jenkin's Ear
Castillo de San Marcos
Date 13 June–20 July 1740 Location St. Augustine, Spanish Florida Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Gen. James Oglethorpe Ahaya Secoffee Cdre. Pearce	Governor Manuel de Montiano
Strength
1,000 infantry (Oglethorpe's Regiment, Georgia Provincials, South Carolina Provincials.) 900 sailors 1,200 warriors 56 cannons 5 frigates 3 sloops	750 infantry 50 cannons 1 fort 6 small ships
Casualties and losses
122 killed 16 captured 14 deserted 56 artillery pieces captured 1 schooner captured	unknown

The Siege of St. Augustine was a big military event that happened in June and July of 1740. It was a British attack on the city of St. Augustine in Spanish Florida. This battle was part of a larger conflict called the War of Jenkins' Ear.

Why the Siege Happened

Starting the Conflict

In September 1739, King George II of Great Britain told Governor James Oglethorpe of the Georgia colony to "annoy the Subjects of Spain." This meant Oglethorpe should attack Spanish people and their allies. Oglethorpe then encouraged his Native American allies, the Creek people, to start attacking Spanish settlers and Florida Indians.

Early Attacks and Preparations

On November 13, 1739, a group of Spanish soldiers landed on Amelia Island and killed two British soldiers. In response, Oglethorpe began his own attacks. He led a mixed force of British soldiers, colonial fighters from Georgia and the Carolinas, and Native American warriors. These warriors included the Creek, Chickasaw, and Yuchi peoples.

The campaign started in December 1739. By January, Oglethorpe's forces were raiding Spanish forts west of St. Augustine. In May 1740, Oglethorpe decided to try and capture St. Augustine itself. Before reaching St. Augustine, his forces captured several smaller forts. These included Fort San Diego, Fort Picolotta, Fort San Francisco de Pupo, and Fort Mose. Fort Mose was important because it was the first free black settlement in America.

The Siege of St. Augustine

Setting Up the Attack

Oglethorpe set up his cannons on Santa Anastasia Island. At the same time, a British naval squadron (a group of warships) blocked the port of St. Augustine. This was meant to stop supplies from reaching the city by sea. On June 24, Oglethorpe began firing his cannons at the city. This bombardment lasted for 27 days.

The Attack on Fort Mose

On June 26, about 300 Spanish soldiers and free black fighters launched a surprise attack. They targeted Fort Mose, which was being held by 120 Highlander Rangers and 30 Native American warriors. This event is known as the Siege of Fort Mose. The defenders were caught off guard. Sixty-eight of them were killed, and 34 were captured. The Spanish lost 10 fighters.

The Siege Ends

Despite the British blockade, the Spanish managed to get supply ships into St. Augustine. This meant the British could not starve the city into giving up. Oglethorpe had planned to storm the fortress by land while the British navy attacked Spanish ships in the harbor. However, Commodore Pearce, the naval commander, decided not to attack during hurricane season.

With supplies still reaching the city and the navy unwilling to attack, Oglethorpe gave up the siege. He returned to Georgia, leaving behind his cannons and other equipment. The siege ended in a Spanish victory.

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de San Agustín (1740) para niños