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The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Letter from Cow-Ford on St. John's River, Florida, dated July 12, 1795, reports French forces under Capt. Richard Lang crossing the river on July 9, capturing Spanish officers, storming the Cow-Ford battery (killing 7 Spaniards, taking 28 prisoners), seizing a Spanish launch with 18 prisoners, and a failed attack on Nolasco's battery.
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"I have but just time to inform you, that on Thursday night, the 9th instant, the French in Florida crossed St. John's river, a little below the Cow-Ford. The night was far advanced in crossing, the men 50 in number, under the command of captain Richard Lang.
On their arrival on the side, they took three Spanish Militia officers prisoners of the following rank and names, viz. capt. Hollingsworth, lieutenant Summerlin, and ensign Hogan, together with a small militia guard.
The day approaching very fast, they with all possible speed marched for the battery of St. Nicholas, alias Cow-Ford, containing two eighteen pounders; and without hesitation, proceeded to storm it. The conflict was short; the Spaniards had two men killed and five wounded, who have since died of their wounds; twenty-eight taken prisoners, together with commandant Ignacio Lopez, a cadet, about one hundred stand of arms, and plenty of provisions and stores.
The subsequent morning they attacked the king's launch, and after an engagement of half an hour, she struck; they took prisoners on board capt. Don Manuel and 17 seamen—her prow contained a 24 pounder, a number of swivels, plenty of ammunition, a quantity of rum, pork, beef, bread &c.
On Saturday a party of twenty men was ordered to go and attack Nolasco's battery; however on their approach the Spaniards discovered them, and before our men could get over the Postburg ferry, that intercepted their march, the Spaniards spiked their cannon and fled, leaving their arms and every thing behind them.
There is lying in this port, a British 20 gun brig, a small schooner, and the republicans were apprehensive of being attacked by them, should they discover their joining them hourly—but they are numbers. The inhabitants are much in want of men to man the battery and galley, and quite inexperienced in gunnery. The Militia officers have generally given themselves up and received paroles. The express is just going off to General Clarke, by whom send this."
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Cow Ford St. John's River, Florida
Event Date
July 9 11, 1795
Key Persons
Outcome
spaniards: 2 killed, 5 wounded (later died), 28 prisoners from battery, commandant ignacio lopez and cadet prisoners, 100 stand of arms and provisions captured; launch: capt. don manuel and 17 seamen prisoners, 24-pounder, swivels, ammunition, rum, pork, beef, bread captured; nolasco's battery: spaniards spiked cannon and fled, leaving arms and equipment.
Event Details
On July 9 night, 50 French under Capt. Richard Lang crossed St. John's River below Cow-Ford, captured Spanish officers Hollingsworth, Summerlin, Hogan and guard; stormed St. Nicholas (Cow-Ford) battery, short conflict; next morning attacked and captured king's launch after 30-min engagement; on July 11, 20 men approached Nolasco's battery but Spaniards fled after spiking guns.