In the heart of 1816, a captivating tale unfolds—the saga of Negro Fort and its fearless leader. Let’s journey into history and meet the legendary Commanding General Garzon, whose pact with the British Royal Marines granted him control over the British Post at Prospect Bluff in Florida. 

Birth of ‘Negro Fort’  🏰

Step back to a time when Commanding General Garzon, through an alliance with the British Royal Marines, took command of the British Post at Prospect Bluff. Yet, adversity struck as American politicians and plantation owners dishonored this haven, cruelly labeling it ‘Negro Fort.’

Choosing Sides – A Quest for Freedom 🌍

Flashback to Spanish Florida, 1690s: Florida, under Spanish rule, promised sanctuary to enslaved black people for military service. Fast forward to the War of 1812, where previously enslaved fighters showcased bravery. Unlike the Spanish, the British Admiral offered not just freedom but a promise of land. The self-emancipated were trained in British military tactics, recognized as British personnel, and issued ranks.

Fortifying Freedom in the Deep South 🏡

But, plot twist! In 1815, the British troops left Prospect Bluff. General Garzon stayed put, hoping to finally call it home sweet home. Thousands of brave souls journeyed from the southern regions into East Florida, fighting their way to the fort.

The peak of ‘Negro Fort’ saw a unity of nearly 3,000 ex-slaves, Red Stick, and Black Seminole Indians—a community bound by anti-slavery and white expansionism. These allies communicated, collaborated, and coordinated with a shared purpose.

Moral Righteousness Prevails ⚖️

The Southern plantation owners couldn’t handle it, so they whined to Spain, begging them to, “Destroy the fort!” But Spain responded, “Nah, not our problem. You deal with it.” Desperate to gain control of the people living in and around the Fort, the U.S. government sent messengers to bully Garzon to surrender.

The General and his resilient crew shut them down and sent them away. Unsuccessful and embarrassed, the messengers resorted to unfair descriptions, labeling the people of ‘Negro Fort’ uncivil uppity Negroes.

Trembling with fear, white leaders frequently gave speeches filled with propaganda. They pleaded for more experienced fighters who could withstand Garzon’s forces. The U.S. government constantly received letters begging for help to destroy the fort and reclaim the African people as property.  

Impenetrable Fortification by the River 🏞️

Garzon’s Fort, overlooking the Apalachicola River in the state of Florida, stood as a symbol of resilience. A well-equipped structure, surrounded by a moat and defense wall, became an impenetrable fortress.

With military gear that could shoot explosive shells, no way U.S. forces could break in! General Garzon’s strategic brilliance dominated colonial discussions, sending shockwaves across the country.

Garzon, the Heroic Leader 🌿

General Garzon, a bold and devoted leader of African heritage, devoted himself to the resistance against slavery. With help from Indian alliances, he and his soldiers learned the terrain and used it to their advantage. 

Garzon dominated the battlefield. His men outmaneuvered White America’s land-based assaults. The General’s men intercepted supplies. American troops were desperate, and U.S. forces and the militia started eating their horses, tree bark, and other available forest critters to survive. 

The Fateful Union Jack Salute 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

On July 27, 1816, as tensions peaked, the Union Jack Flag fluttered in the wind. American forces and Garzon’s troops engaged in full-scale war. American forces positioned gunboats on the river. Both sides fired cannons back and forth.

Then, the American military deliberately heated their cannons to extreme temperatures. One of the red-hot cannonballs soared across the sky, striking the fort’s ammunition building. It was a tragic explosion! Negro Fort at Prospect Bluff had been breached. Chaos, tears, and bloodshed filled the air. 

General Garzon’s commitment echoed—No Surrender, No Compromise. No more cotton or tobacco picking. We’re Done! And, so it was. 

In the aftermath, the General and his officers were executed, but their spirit lived on. It was a poignant moment in history, where brave souls refused to bow to oppression, immortalized by the sacrifice of Commanding General Garzon.

Did you know?

Today the area is a National Historic Landmark. Fort Gadsden was built over the site.  

Digital reconstruction depicting the site as it existed in the early 19th century. A Florida Humanities Council  sponsored project.

Sources:

The Invisible War: The African American Anti-slavery Resistance from the Stono Rebellion Through the Seminole Wars. United States, Clarity Press, 2006.

Saunt, Claudio. A New Order of Things: Property, Power, and the Transformation of the Creek Indians, 1733–1816. Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Images:

Design of Negro Fort https://thewestsidegazette.com/meet-general-garson-the-soldier-who-attacked-plantations-to-free-slaves/