Battle of Bloody Mose Commemoration

In the early morning hours of June 26, 1740, the village of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose (mo-SAY), the first, legally sanctioned free black settlement in the continental U.S., became the site of the bloodiest battle in Florida’s portion of the War of Jenkins’ Ear.

That day saw Florida’s Spanish soldiers, black militia, and native Yamassee auxiliaries locked in a “clash of empires” with invading English and Scottish troops from Georgia, a battle that culminated in desperate, hand-to-hand fighting as Fort Mose, St. Augustine’s northern-most defense, burned around them. The decisive Spanish victory at “Bloody Mose” was one of the factors that ended Georgia’s invasion of Florida.

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, the 270th anniversary of the original battle, The St. Augustine Garrison will offer the first, annual commemoration of this historic event at Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine.

Partnering with Fort Mose Historic State Park, the Fort Mose Historical Society, the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Oglethorpe’s Own), and Clann Nan Con, The St. Augustine Garrison will present heritage interpretations and demonstrations from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., including:

• 10AM-11:30AM – demonstrations of 18th-century colonial and military life, crafts, and children’s games
• 11:30AM – re-enactment of the “Battle of Bloody Mose” by Spanish and British troops
• 1:30PM-3PM – demonstrations of 18th- century colonial and military life, crafts, and children’s
games
• 3PM – re-enactment of the “Battle of Bloody Mose” by Spanish and British troops

The Event will feature the following historical portrayals:
• CAPITÁN FRANCSICO MENÉNDEZ, commander of the free black militia based at Gracia Real de
Santa Teresa de Mose, will be portrayed by Mr. James Bullock
• GENERAL DE BRIGADA DON MANUEL MONTIANO, Royal Governor and Captain-General of
Spanish Florida and organizer of the colony’s defenses during the English invasion of 1740, will be portrayed by Mr. Chuck Dale
• GENERAL JAMES OGLETHORPE, Royal Governor of the English colony of Georgia and leader of the English invaders, will be portrayed by Mr. Scott Hodges

This annual, heritage Event is sponsored by The St. Augustine Garrison, with the support and assistance of the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Oglethorpe’s Own), Clann Nan Con, the Fort Mose Historical Society, Fort Mose Historic State Park, and the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.

For more information on The St. Augustine Garrison, please contact us toll-free, at 1-877-FLA-HIST (1-877-352-4478). The St. Augustine Garrison is a member unit of Florida Living History, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the support of living history activities, events, and portrayals related to the history of Florida. www.floridalivinghistory.org

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News contributed photograph