1702 – Spanish expedition against the Creeks
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The campaign took place in October 1702
Introduction
At the time of the declaration of war in 1702, there were already tensions on the frontier between the Spanish establishments of Florida and the English Province of Carolina.
In 1700, the English had even claimed the recently founded (1698) settlement of Pensacola.
In 1701, English parties accompanied by their Creek allies had raided the Apalachee region where the Spaniards had 14 missions. Until then, the Spaniards had always been reluctant to arm the Apalachee Indians with muskets.
At the beginning of 1702, the French commander at Mobile, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, induced the Spanish commander of Pensacola to arm the Apalachees. In May of the same year, English and Creeks burned the mission of Santa Fé de Toloca in Northern Florida. The Spanish Governor of Florida ordered to organize a punitive expedition against the Creek Indians, placing Captain Don Francisco Romo de Uriza at the head of this enterprise.
Description
Don Francisco Romo de Uriza assembled a small force (approx. 800 Apalachees, Chacatos and Timucuas, and 30 Spanish foot) from the neighbouring missions.
The Apalachicolas, a Creek tribe, established at Hitchiti were informed that the Spaniards were preparing an expedition against them. At that time an English trader, Anthony Dodsworth, was sojourning with the Apalachicolas. He gathered a force (approx. 500 Apalachicolas, Chiscas and Westos) along with two other white men, and two black men.
Around 6 October, Dodsworth's force left Hitchiti and marched towards the Apalachee missions. The same day, Uriza marched from the Apalachee mission of San Antonio de Bacuqua.
Around 12 October, Uriza's party tried to surprise Dodsworth's camp located along the Lower Flint River (in present-day Georgia) in a pre-dawn attack. However, Dodsworth and the Apalachicolas knew of the proximity of Uriza's force and had laid an ambush, arranging their blankets so that they appeared occupied while they concealed themselves near the camp. The better armed Apalachicolas easily routed the Apalachees when they attacked their empty camp.
On 18 October 18, Uriza arrived at the Apalachee mission of Bacacua with the remnants of his force (300 men).
Outcome
The Governor of Florida immediately ordered to speed up work to complete Fort San Luis.
In Carolina, Governor James Moore started the preparation for an expedition against St. Augustine.
References
Wikipedia – Battle of Flint River
Worth, John E.: Rediscovering a Lost Georgia Battlefield: The 1702 “Battle of the Blankets” along the Lower Flint River, Worth County Historical Society and the Georgia Historical Society, 2004
