April 17, 1783
—Arkansas Post in the American Revolution —
During the American Revolution, Arkansas Post
belonged to the Spanish, allies of the American
patriots. In 1783, British partisans led by James
Colbert raided the Spanish village and fort here.
It was one of the last engagements of the war,
and the only one in Arkansas.
Opposing Forces
The Fort
About 40 Spanish
soldiers, in addition to
a number of Quapaw
Indians, under Capt.
Jacobo Dubreuil. These
were allies of the
American patriots.
The Raiders
About 52 British
partisans, including
Chickasaw Indians and
blacks, under James
Logan Colbert, who
claimed to be an officer
in the British Army.
Early Morning Raid Before moving against the fort, Colbert and his British partisans raided nearby farms and homes, taking seven families hostage.
[2nd Marker (to right) Photo Captions]
Top left: Stockade timbers of Fort Carlos III were split
red oak. Bullets could penetrate no more than
an inch. The palisade in front of you is a scale
replica of a corner of the fort.
Bottom right:
No Surrender After six hours of futile attack, Colbert sent a hostage, Doña de Villars, to the fort with a note demanding surrender. Captain Dubreuil refused.
[3rd Marker (to right) Photo Captions]
Top left: Fort Carlos III (named after the Spanish
monarch) stood several hundred feet in front
of you on ground later washed away by the
Arkansas River. Today the area is flooded
by Post Bend, a lake occupying a former
river channel.
Bottom right:
Counterattack Under Captain Dubreuil's
orders, Sergeant Pastor and thirteen men threw open the gate of the fort, gave the war whoop, and charged the raiders
Colbert's partisans fell back.
[4th Marker (to right) Photo Captions]
Top left: The replica Spanish 8-pounder cannon to your right resembles those used at Fort Carlos III.
Bottom right:
Withdrawal Colbert's men fled downstream, taking the hostages with them.
The National Park Service wishes
to thank the Arkansas Society of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
for their sponsorship of these exhibits
and historic replicas.
Comments 0 comments