Nestled along the confluence of Bayou Manchac and the Mississippi River, Fort Bute in Louisiana played a pivotal, yet often overlooked, role in the broader tapestry of the American Revolutionary War. Built by the British in 1766, this colonial outpost was strategically vital for protecting British West Florida’s western frontier. Its capture by Spanish forces in 1779 not only marked a significant victory for Spain but also signaled its crucial entry into the conflict, shifting the balance of power in the Gulf Coast region.
The British Stronghold: Construction and Early History
Following the 1763 declaration that all West Florida inhabitants were British subjects, efforts began to establish British control in the region. Major Robert Farmar of the 34th Regiment initiated plans for Fort Bute to safeguard workers and settlers. Construction commenced in September 1765 under the supervision of engineer Archibald Robertson from Pensacola. Completed in 1766, this six-gun, star-shaped earthwork, also known as Fort at Manchac, featured a blockhouse within a stockade, designed to house up to 200 men.
However, Fort Bute’s early existence was marked by instability. In September 1768, the fort was abandoned and partially destroyed when its garrison relocated to Pensacola. It saw a brief re-occupation by American Patriots led by Captain James Willing in March 1778, only to be quickly repulsed by British Rangers. Undeterred, the British rebuilt the fort on a new, nearby site in April 1778, once again equipped with six guns, ready for potential conflicts.
The Spanish Advance: Bernardo de Galvez’s Strategic Campaign
The stage for conflict was set when Spain, under the command of Bernardo de Galvez, the visionary governor of Spanish Louisiana, saw an opportunity to challenge British dominion during the American Revolution. On August 27, 1779, Galvez mobilized a diverse force from New Orleans, comprising approximately 750 regulars, carabineers, militiamen, and free blacks, later bolstered by 150 Native Americans and 600 additional militiamen from various parts of Louisiana.
As Galvez’s formidable army slowly traversed the muddy swamps towards Bayou Manchac, Colonel Alexander Dickson, the British commander at Fort Bute, made a fateful decision. On September 3, 1779, he withdrew nearly all troops, leaving only a meager 23 soldiers behind, and ordered the main force to march to the stronger Baton Rouge outpost. This strategic error left Fort Bute vulnerable.
The Fall of Fort Bute and its Aftermath
At dawn on September 7, 1779, Galvez’s forces launched their assault, capturing Fort Bute in what became known as the Battle of Manchac Post. The British garrison, already depleted, offered little resistance. The Spanish reported one German killed on their side, while capturing a British captain, a lieutenant, and 18 soldiers. A few British soldiers managed to escape and fled to Baton Rouge to alert Colonel Dickson, but much of the British strength and supplies had already been evacuated earlier that month.
The victory at Fort Bute was a crucial first step for Galvez. He rested his troops for six days before advancing towards Baton Rouge, which fell after a brief siege on September 21. The terms of capitulation at Baton Rouge secured for Galvez the surrender of all remaining British outposts on the Mississippi River. This string of victories allowed Galvez to solidify Spanish control over the lower Mississippi Valley and begin planning further campaigns against key British strongholds like Mobile and Pensacola in West Florida.
Conclusion
The swift capture of Fort Bute was far more than a minor skirmish; it was a watershed moment that heralded Spain’s official entry into the American Revolutionary War. This decisive action by Bernardo de Galvez not only expanded Spanish territory and influence but also diverted significant British resources, indirectly aiding the American struggle for independence. Although Fort Bute itself was eventually abandoned by the Spanish in November 1794, its story remains a powerful testament to the complex international dynamics and often-overlooked theaters of conflict that shaped the birth of a nation.
