Name/Title
Spanish Colonial Militia Officer [Coat Button]Description
1740 to 1770 Spanish colonial militia officer coat button recovered near Pensacola, Florida.Context
As supporters of the Patriot cause during the revolution, the Spanish took up arms to defend against the British and further their gains on a competitive world stage. They participated in an extensive campaign along the Gulf Coast, which culminated in the 1781 Siege of Pensacola. The siege began in March of that year and continued until May, with the Patriot-advocating Spanish facing off against the British for control of Pensacola. Governor Bernardo de Galvez led a force totaling 7,224, of which 183 were officers.
After 4 days of ruthless firing, a Spanish shell hit a powder magazine in the Queen’s Redoubt on May 8th, 1781, destroying the fort and killing approximately 100 British soldiers. With an opportunity in reach, Spanish troops moved to occupy the ruinous Queen’s Redoubt and placed artillery at the location. With artillery in place, the Spanish opened fire on Fort George at short range. No longer capable of defending Fort George from unforgiving Spanish artillery, British General John Campbell raised the white flag of surrender on May 8th, 1781.