battle spanish known unsuccessful british led attack french settlement spanish louisiana founded west bank mississippi treaty paris force composed primarily indians led british militia commander attacked settlement settlement defenders local militia command lieutenant governor spanish louisiana fortified town best successfully attack second simultaneous attack nearby american outpost opposite bank mississippi technically british controlled territory repulsed retreating indians destroyed crops took captive civilians outside protected area british failure effectively ended attempts gain control mississippi_river war background following entry spain american revolutionary war british military planners london wanted secure corridor mississippi_river spanish patriot activity plans included expeditions new_orleans spanish targets expeditions gain control targets upper mississippi including small town expedition got ground governor spanish louisiana moved rapidly gain control british outposts lower mississippi threatening action west florida principal outposts mobile pensacola british expedition british expeditions north organized military governor present day michigan beginning february instructed fur traders territories recruiting interested tribes expedition fur traders offered opportunity control fur trade upper parts spanish louisiana incentive participate force gathered prairie placed command militia captain turned fur trader force numbered dozen fur traders estimated indians left prairie largest contingent force warriors led additional sizable companies nations smaller numbers warriors nations chief given overall command native forces force reached joined men sac fox nations warriors somewhat reluctant attack gave large gifts secure participation venture diversity expedition included animosity tribes particular history conflict promoted unity expedition spanish american defenses village primarily trading hub mississippi_river administrative capital louisiana governed lieutenant governor captain warned late march fur trader british planning attack nearby american held post began developing plans village defense regular army soldiers inexperienced militia force dispersed surrounding countryside developed grand plan defense included construction stone towers funds time new_orleans asked villagers contribute funds labor construction fortifications paid work private funds mid single round tower built feet diameter thirty feet tall tower dubbed fort san provided commanding view surrounding countryside appear sufficient time build towers trenches dug tower river north south village cannon placed tower additional cannon placed trenches force men inexperienced militia highly probable opposing british indian force fort san appealed year old french located miles south fort site french sent sons trained equipped french militia men tipped scale favor defenders royal decree april king spain conferred rank lieutenant regular spanish army making spanish don citation adventure written sub edition march greatly aided gave defenders forts major tactical advantage supplying genuine lead instead stones mines musket balls getting hit stone compare damage power caliber rifle ball feet american revolutionary war result contributions called defender louis visited american commander proposed joint spanish american force counter expedition idea reach fruition scouts reported force miles away landed coming overland battle sent scouting parties determine situation parties unable close village presence workers including women children fields outside village day sent indians river attack remainder headed arriving warning shot fired tower came view leading way followed sac fox fur traders including bringing rear directed defense tower opened fire trenches enemy force came range volley sac fox fell apparently unwilling fight leaving participants suspicious motives joining expedition complaining persisted hours attempts draw spanish defenders going far brutally killing captives taken fields angered townspeople point militia requested permission sortie refused attackers eventually withdrew headed north destroying crops livestock buildings went river attack easily repulsed timely arrival lead defense played role clark reputation frontier fighter indian force reluctant pursue attack aftermath village lost killed wounded captured virtually civilians year later raided fort joseph bringing captured british flag died following month subject local criticism formally recognized efforts town defense earned promotion lieutenant colonel know died legacy site fort san stood corner fourth local organization annually commemorates battle reading names people lost lives battle battle remembered mural located missouri state capitol pictured
Battle of St. Louis