A career soldier since the age of 16, Gálvez was a veteran of several wars across Europe, the Americas, and North Africa. While governor of Louisiana, he supported the colonists and their French allies in the American Revolutionary War, helping facilitate vital supply lines and frustrate British operations in the Gulf Coast.
What did Hernando Gálvez do in the Revolutionary War?
Gálvez aided the American Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led Spanish forces against Britain in the Revolutionary War, defeating the British at the Siege of Pensacola (1781) and conquering West Florida. Following Gálvez's successful campaign the whole of Florida was ceded to Spain in the Treaty of Paris.
Who was Bernardo de Gálvez?
In a recent biography, Bernardo de Gálvez: Spanish Hero of the American Revolution, Dr. Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia traces the life of Gálvez, who led the Spanish forces in North America as supreme commander, and later served as viceroy of New Spain, providing a reinterpretation of the international factors involved in the Revolutionary War.
How did the Gálvez family rise to power?
The rise of the Gálvez family, spurred mainly by the brilliant career of Bernardo’s uncle José de Gálvez, minister of the Indies between 1776 and 1787, is an outstanding example of increasing social mobility in eighteenth-century Spain.
What did Gálvez do to help the Apache?
In his "Instructions", Gálvez advocated a policy of selling the Indians rifles and trade goods to make them dependent on the Spanish government, [86] and sanctioned war against the Apache if these inducements failed to pacify them. [87] [88] Equestrian statue of Gálvez in Virginia Avenue, Washington D.C.
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What were the interests of the military and naval officers during the 18th century?
In the alliance between empire and science that emerged during the eighteenth century, military and naval officers were often at the forefront of the pursuit of useful knowledge for their countries. Their exploits created among other military and naval officers a sense that it was among their duties to be up to date and actively involved in the latest scientific and philosophic advances. In this context Bernardo de Gálvez pursued his own scientific interests. While in Madrid awaiting a new assignment in 1783–84, he devoted his free time to experimenting with military applications of the latest fashion among the educated class: hot-air balloons. But soon Gálvez had to abandon his technological pursuits since he would be busy upon his appointment as capitán general (governor) of Cuba.
Who was the governor of Louisiana in 1777?
Well before that posting, though, Gálvez, on January 1, 1777, assumed his office as acting governor of Louisiana and colonel of Louisiana’s Fixed Infantry Regiment.
What countries were allied with the United States during the American Revolution?
A series of new posts accessible on the Museum’s website highlight the contributions of several of these countries, including Spain. Although Spain was not a formal ally of the United States during the American Revolution, it did take a stand, providing money and supplies to the American revolutionaries and launching military campaigns against British settlements on the Mississippi River, preventing Britain from concentrating all of its North American military and naval forces on the fight against the Continental Army. In a recent biography, Bernardo de Gálvez: Spanish Hero of the American Revolution, Dr. Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia traces the life of Gálvez, who led the Spanish forces in North America as supreme commander, and later served as viceroy of New Spain, providing a reinterpretation of the international factors involved in the Revolutionary War. Extensively researched through Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. archives, Dr. Quintero Saravia’s portrait of Gálvez won the 2019 Distinguished Book Award in Biography from the Society for Military History.
What war was the flag flown by ships at sea during?
Follow the process of recreating and the history behind the flags flown by 18th-century ships at sea during the Revolutionary War with the Museum's True Colours Flag Project.
What is the purpose of the book "Read the Revolution"?
Read the Revolution is published biweekly by the Museum of the American Revolution to inspire learning about the history of the American Revolution and its ongoing relevance.
Who was the British leader who ordered the capture of New Orleans?
On June 17, 1779, Lord George Germain, the British minister for the colonies, had sent a letter to Frederick Haldimand informing him of the declaration of war and ordering him to attack New Orleans and other Spanish ports along the Mississippi in coordination with an expedition under the command of General John Campbell, which was to be arriving with ships and troops at the Natchez River. In Gálvez’s own words, not taking into account the opinion of the council of war, and trusting to the support of the local population, I made my preparations without public knowledge, and I decided to march on August 22…. [But on August 18] a violent hurricane arrived and in less than three hours sank all of the ships…among them the small warships and gunboats I had ordered to be built for the defense of the river. Many houses in the city and most of those around it were also destroyed, supplies lost, trees torn, men dismayed, their women and children wandering through the deserted fields abandoned to the elements, the land flooded, and everything drowned in the river, along with my resources, supplies, and hopes.
Did the Spanish support the Americans?
As time went by, Spanish support for the Americans was increasingly difficult to cover up. The British continued to protest it while the rebels not only acknowledged it but also showed their gratitude. A year before Willing’s raid, the U.S. Congress Secret Committee sent Gálvez a letter stating, “We are informed by means of Mr Oliver Pollock of the favorable disposition of the United, Free and Independent states of America upon every occasion that has presented since your Excellency’s accession to the Government of New Orleans & Louisiana.”
Where was Bernardo de Galvez born?
Bernardo de Galvez. Gálvez was born in the small village of Macharaviya in the province of Málaga, Spain on July 23, 1746. He studied military science at the Academy of Ávila and first saw military action in the Spanish invasion of Portugal in 1762, at age 16.
Who was the hero of the American Revolution?
On December 16, 2014, Bernardo de Gálvez was awarded honorary citizenship by the United States Congress and was cited as a hero of the American Revolution.
What was the longest battle of the American Revolution?
His greatest military accomplishment was a victory over the British forces when he attacked Pensacola, West Florida and took the city by land and sea, which proved to be one of the longest battles of the American Revolution, lasting from March 9 to May 8, 1781.
Where did the British send supplies to the Rebels?
Also in 1777 Gálvez began to smuggle supplies to the American Rebels—shipping gunpowder, muskets, uniforms, medicine, and other supplies through the British blockade to Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia by way of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
Who was the governor of Louisiana in 1777?
In 1777 Gálvez became colonel and interim governor of Louisiana. During the same year, he married Marie-Félicité; the pair had three children. His mission as governor was to deal with the native populations, promote trade, build the population, and protect the province.
What ports did Spain capture?
When Spain declared war on Great Britain in 1779, Gálvez began planning a military campaign against the British, capturing Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, and Natchez—all four British ports in the Lower Mississippi with little more than 500 soldiers and only two ships.