March 17, with ten soldiers facing more than 100, Spanish Commander Don Jose Lopez at Fernandina surrendered. Five days later, a patriot army of 100 marched on St Augustine. Their numbers grew to 300 as they encamped at the old Fort Mose north of the town. Later they were joined by 100 regulars of the U.S. army.

     St. Augustine's Spanish population retreated behind the walls of the Castillo. While the patriot army attacked by land and American privateers blocked the harbor, Seminole Indians smuggled provisions into the fortress.

     It was a footnote on the world stage during the War of 1812, as new world powers - France, England, and the United States - sought Florida as the key to the Gulf of Mexico. Spain in fact was a player. Colonel Vicente Folch, governor of Spanish Florida, had sent a letter to Madison saying if help did not come before 1811, he would have to surrender Florida to the United States. 

     Madison, anticipating war with England, decided overt seizure of Florida in the face of overwhelming British forces in the south would be futile, but if the people of East Florida could be encouraged to revolt, the area could be declared independent and apply for annexation to the United States. 

     That patriot march on St. Augustine failed to gain support, as did a second attempt in June, 1812. Now, with Spain and England fuming over the patriot movement, and Madison worried it might force them into an alliance against the United States, the president declared it an independent movement, Congress voted against annexing Florida, and on May 6, 1813, the American colors at Fernandina were lowered.

     The Patriot War was over.