"The enemy is approaching by land and by sea and they are bringing the means to attack and besiege the royal fort."

November 6, 1702. Governor Joseph de Zuniga y Zerda issues his proclamation to the garrison and people of St. Augustine. The governor orders all inside the fort, including "all priests, friars, women, children, Negro slaves, free Negroes and all Indians of whatever nation which have rendered obedience to his Catholic Majesty."

Urgent messages have been sent to the Spanish garrisons at Apalachee and Pensacola, to the French garrison at Mobile, and to Spanish headquarters at Havana, Cuba.

English Carolina Governor James Moore, with 1,000 troops out of Charleston, 500 on land under Colonel Robert Daniel and 500 under sail with Moore, must seize this Spanish base on the North American continent.

November 7. Zuniga and his officers review the garrison strength. It should be at 355. But of 412 men, only 18 infantry and 18 militia are experienced in battle. He hasn't the strength to counterattack.

November 9. Throughout the afternoon, a steady stream of criollos (creoles, of Spanish descent born in America), Spaniards, Indians and Negroes flow into the fort. The governor declares it his duty and moral obligation to protect all people of all races who live under the Spanish flag.

Infantrymen are sent to carry in shingles which had been piled in the plaza to roof the church, as well as the tablazon (planking) of the church. These materials will provide "lodging and quarters where the women and children could find refuge . . ."

November 10. At dawn the English land force takes over the town without resistance, sets up headquarters at the Franciscan Monastery south of the fort, and occupies the mission and village at Nombre de Dios north of the fort.

November 11. Governor Zuniga orders "a sally of brave men escorted by two lines of muskeeters in order to put to the torch all the large and small houses" within a range of about 750 feet of the fort.

November 24. English heavy guns, moved into position, begin firing on the fort. The Spaniards return fire. The tense wait continues, the defenders unaware that messages have reached Havana, Pensacola and Mobile, and relief is coming.

December 19. English trenches run along the south and western sides of the fortress; gabions - wood cylinders filled with earth - support the trenches and provide cover for the attackers. Skirmishes break out as the Spaniards move to destroy the gabions.

Each side awaits reinforcements to give it the decisive edge.

December 24. Christmas Eve, two sails are sighted. They are English. Morale inside the fort hits bottom. The governor calls for a Christmas Eve party and bonuses for the troops. His accountants say the treasury  can't afford it. The governor replies, "Charge it to next year's account!"

December 26. At midday, four sails are sighted on the southern horizon. They are Spanish, the relief fleet from Havana.

December 29. The sight of the Spanish fleet is enough to make the English retreat. The English decide a retreat by sea would be stopped by the fleet; they destroy their own ships and flee on foot.

From St. Augustine Bedtime Stories by former Mayor George Gardner

    Image: Siege of Saint Augustinefineartamerica.com