Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-09-27
AN EPISODE OF LOCAL HISTORY.
The Capture Of Baton Rouge by the
Spaniards over the British.

Ihe capture Of baton Rouge 0y tne
Spaniards over the British.
Translated from a Communication wrillen
IL French BY an esteemed friend.
In the year 1863, France coded
Louisiana to Spain, with the excep-
ton Of the Territory extending to
the East Of Bayou Mancl,ac, which
was ccded to Great Britain during
the same year. In l770, Spain do
clarea war to the latter power con-
jointly with France, for the purpose
Of aiding the American Revolution
lists.
Don Bernardo do Galvex, the Gov
ernor Of Louisiana, and q Brigadier
General in the armies other Catho-
lie Majesty, no sooner heard Of this
declaration Of war than he organized
u small army composed of troops Of
the line and militia, with which hf
sailed out Of New Orleans, and w
u rapid march reached Fort Bate,
situated on the left bank Of Bayou
Manchac, which position he carried
by storm. From thence, he proceed
cd to Baton Rouge, which post was
garrisoned by 500 men under the COM
mand of Colonel Dickson. Upon
his arrival, Gaivez established his
camp in the low lands situated
South Of the present Capitol grounds,
(cat fish town.. He planted u battery
Of heavy artillery on what is known
now us square 2, situated between
Convention street and North Boule-
ward. The center gun was placed
in position on u small cleva-
tion near two large magnolias that
were still standing some fifty years
ago.
On the 2lst of September l779, ut
8o'clock, a. m., Galvcz gave the sig
nal of the attack by firing with his
own hand this center gun. The shot
went through q dining hall, where
Colonel Dickson and bis officers were
break fasting. At this unccremonious
interruption Colonel Dickson arose,
and after he had examined the
damage; with the characteristic cool
ness of the Briton, he turned to-
wards his companions and told them
that the shot was from Il twcnty-four
FOUNDER, and that the place must soon
prove untcnablc. After sustaining "
cannonado Of two hours, Dickson
surrendered. His capitulation was nc
ceptcd on the condition that Fort
Panuro ut Natclcz, with two other
Forts situated on tho Amite River
and on Thompson's Creek, should
also be delivered to the Spanish
troops.
Don Pedro dc Favrot, Captain OF
Grcnadicrs in the regiment OF Louisi-
ana was then appointed civil and
military commandment Of Baton Rouge,
and the Forts appertaining thereto.
After these exploits, Galyez success
sively captured Mobile and Pensa-
cola, finally driving the British from,
the Floridas.
One Of the grand children Of the
first Spanish commandment Of Baton
Rouge, is the present owner Of the
very ground on which was planted
the gun that Galvcz fired as the sig
nal Of the attack. One century has
elapsed since the Leopard was driven
from the soil Of Louisiana.
Baton Rouge was at that time but
q small military post. 1t is now a
handsome little city that bids fair
soon to become the largest in the
State, outside of New Orleans. 1t is
situated on an elevated plateau en-
circled by unduIating and pictures
que landscapes, alfortliny most pleas
ing views and sites.
have often wondered that these
historic events, and the names Of the
illustrious participants, have not been
commcmorated by naming the streets
and squares of our city in accordance
thereto. Why not call our Boulc-
ward, Galvcz7 As he was beyond
question one of the heroes Of the
American struggle for independence,
his name would always recall an
interesting incident Of our history.
The American people seem to have
forgotten all the distinguished men
who took part in the revolution, with
the exception of Lafayette Why
give our streets, towns or steamers
names without significance, thus con-
signing into obscurity those gallant
auxiliaries such as Il Estaing, DE-
Grasse, Rochambcau, Lamothe ri.
quet, Guichen, Suffren, Pulawski, so
lano, Cordova, Clillon and Others dis
tinguished for their services on sea
and on land 7
The name of DeSoto is one that
has obtained popularity with Ameri.
cans while that of LaSalle, who was
by far his superior, is seldom spoken
of.
From 1886, till 1862, when the
Capitol was partly destroyed by fire,
while in possession of the Federals,
Baton Rouge, was the Capital Of
Louisiana. BY the wise action of the
late Constitutional Convention, this
City will again be the State Capital.
The commonwealth will be greatly
benefited by the change, as legis-
lation will be frcer, and the Govern
ment less trammelled than it has
been or would be in u large City.
Sept. 1879. AN OCToGENARIAN.
OpELoUsAs, La, Sept. 2l-At thu
polls yesterday, on Bayou Chicot, il
the northern part of this parish, adif:
ticulty occurred between Chas. DOss'
man and a Mr.. Fort, resulting in the
death of one -stander and the seri'
Gus wounding Of another. From ar