Battle Of Pensacola

The War of 1812 officially began June 18, 1812; however, it did not reach Pensacola in Spanish Florida until November of 1814. General Andrew Jackson led the American troops against the British and Spanish soldiers that controlled the city of Pensacola. The Battle of Pensacola, really more of a skirmish, was one of the last confrontations before the war ended. Although such a small battle, it was a very strategic victory for America. The war was brought to an end by the Treaty of Ghent, but the final battle of New Orleans saw the true end of the war.
Pensacola, one of the oldest cities in Spanish Florida, was more of a settlement and had only about 1,000 inhabitants. There were two forts providing protection to the people: Fort San

He thought Mobile was next on the list, and after that, New Orleans. The General twice attempted to reach a peaceful agreement with the Spanish, and after both attempts failed, he ordered, “Turn out the troops.” On November 7, 1814, Andrew Jackson led approximately 4,000 troops into Pensacola where they fought the British and Spanish forces. The same day that Jackson attacked, the governor, Mateo Gonzalez Manrique, emerged waiving a white flag. His only condition to surrender was that the city would be spared. Also on that day, Fort San Miguel was capitulated and the British then moved to Fort San Carlos. General Jackson intended to capture Fort San Carlos the following day; however, the British destroyed the fort during the night and run away. On November 14, 1814, Andrew Jackson said to Willie Blount, “…Tremendous explosions told me that the Barancas with all its appendages was blown up…I determined to withdraw my troops, but before I did I had the pleasure to see the British depart.” Very few men were injured or killed in this squabble between the Americans and the British and Spanish. Although this battle was not a very serious one, some historians have said that it was very important in the United States winning the War of 1812. If General Jackson and his men had not run British out of Pensacola so quickly, the British may have had time to plan and take Mobile and possibly New Orleans as well. However, because the British were rushed, they were not prepared for the fight in New Orleans, allowing Jackson to defeat them. The fight in New Orleans occurred two months later and it was the last battle of the War of