If there is an example of a Spanish more known abroad than in their own land, that is to Bernardo de Galvez. With decisive action made possible the birth of the great world power today. Nevertheless, recognition that is done is far less than its fair share.

Figure 1 - Bernardo de Galvez and Madrid

Our character is born in Macharaviaya (Málaga) on July 23, 1746. It belongs, as we shall see, a prominent and well known family in the province. If anything characterizes their family is a military tradition, which undoubtedly influenced when in 1762, with 15 years, he volunteered for the invasion of Portugal, Britain's traditional ally, participating as a lieutenant of Infantry through his influential friends.
In 1770 becomes Commander of weapons of Nueva Vizcaya being stationed in San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua, where he fought the Apaches that threatened the economy of the area. He went through harsh desert conditions that discouraged its soldiers, but Galvez demonstrating tremendous character and he snapped: "I will go only if he has not accompany me." Emboldened by such a phrase, his soldiers followed him and got near the Pecos River, defeat and pacify the Apaches who managed to wound him up three times.
After five years returned to the peninsula and joined the Infantry Regiment of Seville and participating in the disastrous expedition to Algiers O'Reilly. In this campaign will highlight heavily at the controls, keeping your company in front of hunters despite being seriously wounded. Would not overlook this heroic action he was promoted to lieutenant colonel with only 29 years.
After spending a year at the Military Academy of Avila, will handle his new job in New Orleans as a colonel in the Fixed Regiment of Louisiana, who was then provincial Spanish and came to Canada. In 1777 he married a Creole 22, Felicitas de Saint Maxent, daughter of the founder of New Orleans and widow of Jean Baptiste Honoré d'Estrehan, former treasurer of the king of France. But from January 1 of that year was the acting governor for the transfer of his predecessor Luis Unzaga to Caracas. From this moment Bernardo will become the nightmare of the children of Britain. Begin by seeking smuggling English, active in the area, we call to mind the famous archifamosa Jenkins and his ear. There were those moments of tranquility and peace precisely the geopolitical situation was very committed. Spain and France were allies informally since the beginning of the century when the French Bourbons succeeded the Habsburgs on the Spanish throne. In this way France was transformed from a traditional enemy to become the main ally against Britain that never ceased to covet the vast Spanish empire. An example of this is the last military conflict, the Seven Years War in which Spain lost Florida and received Louisiana from France in compensation.

Figure 2 - Area map

This explains the division of territories in the area and makes it clear that England had long been threatening the Spanish possessions in the Gulf of Mexico, still wanted more. Yet it happened that the English colonies of North America felt on an equal footing with their mother country and had long been asking a number of rights that England, blinded by their pride, not only denied them but imposed new fees, such as those imposed in the Asian colonies. It was too much for the pride of those white men and of course the chicken coop was moved. Rise of the American colonies against the English metropolis assumed that the area acquired great strategic importance. So throughout the year 1778, Bernard founded colonies reinforcing the Spanish positions in the province in addition to providing aid to the Americans by giving them 15,948 pesos plus flour, fruit and ... soldiers, Louisiana Cavalry company. The Spanish aid was not limited to this city, in all Spanish ports was welcomed to the rebels and traded with them, which greatly worsened relations with Her Majesty.
In this new confrontation dilucidaría if he continued the retreat to the Franco-Spanish Albion hungry or is returned to the British all past affronts. Initially the rebels found themselves receiving, yes, financial aid for more than 5 million livres from France and Spain. But it will be after the Rebel victory at Saratoga when the French war will declare themselves to England. Some had already seen that this war could be a great opportunity to subject the will of the English king. Unlike on previous occasions and taking the initiative in declaring war, the French Mediterranean squadron advanced to block the Royal Navy and was able to reach the Atlantic, leaving an inch of his nose to the English when they arrived at the Strait of Gibraltar . This is crucial since it meant the later Spanish-French naval superiority and therefore also take the lead during the entire war in the main theater of operations, the North Atlantic. This allowed for carrying out numerous operations against the British possessions to keep having these almost entirely on the defensive. Precisely one of the few offensive operations later the British attempt was against Guatemala, there Matías de Gálvez, Bernardo's father and Viceroy of New Mexico, after the enemy attack met him defeating and putting to flight.
Galvez, a man of action like his father, immediately took the initiative after learning thanks to secret reports that the British were preparing to invade the province. The war with Great Britain was expected imminently 1779, despite the difficult balance that Anglo-French had held so far. So the military Malaga reinforces defenses, builds relationships with Indian tribes of the Creek, Chickasaws and Seminoles, made maps of the area and when it receives official notification of the war against Spain organized an expedition against the British positions that controlled the Mississippi . Mobilizes a number of soldiers but as it progresses will adhere more men up to the 1443, forming a multiethnic contingent consisting of:

• 170 veterans.
• 330 recruits canaries, Mexicans, Cubans, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans.
• 80 free blacks and mulattos, French and militiamen.
• 60 militants.
• 20 policemen.
• 9 American volunteers under the command of Oliver Pollock.
• 10 guns.
• 14 gunners.
• 600 German mercenaries, coastal residents and Irish stuck along the way.
• 160 Indians of Arcadia, Atacapas, Punta Cortada and Opeluzas attached along the way.

These were people all social strata and backgrounds who had come to fight a common enemy, the English. It is only fair to recognize that the Indians were used as mercenaries by all armies in exchange for ... rum and weapons. His cruelty put in fear to the Europeans while Gálvez proposed "that no Indian employed in our national disputes" John Campbell, the English general in the area, but the very rascal refused. Indians are just like a beater who led the grueling 11-day march loathsome swamps.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the first fort, Bute of Manchac, expedition rallied and energy when the governor announced something that had been kept secret: Spain was at war with England. They could attack more so if anything the enemy, which they did on the 27th of August to early morning assault and making the strong ending quickly. After the match there were a couple of days off and began the march against the real bottleneck of the river, Baton Rouge, which was defended by moats and palisades as well as 18 guns, 375 British soldiers and 500 armed settlers and black under Lt. Colonel Alexander Dickson. Galvez knew the risk involved in a prolonged siege due to the unhealthiness of the area, which is decided by the assault but making use of deception. It has a false night attack by a strong side while the other digging a trench. The English think they have rejected the onslaught of the Spanish dawn with several siege guns pointing to them after a trench and opened fire early in reducing defenses to rubble. Within hours the garrison surrendered the fort not only giving but also delivers the Panmure in Natchez and three more that were placed upstream and grenadiers who were 60 each. While in the strong gets captured, and later, the communication that are at war with Spain, the issue is back victorious with about a thousand prisoners deserved to rest in New Orleans. A change of 1 killed and two wounded, the Spanish managed a fine balance of the campaign:

• 3 severe.
• 3 outposts.
• 2 ports, Thompson and Smith.
• 1 brig, West Florida.
• 1 British soldier dead.
• 550 British and Hessian soldiers captured.
• 500 settlers and armed blacks captured.

The English had not started the war and had lost control of Missisipi.Por this outstanding, unexpected and playful military operation is promoted to field marshal, with 33 years. And no wonder, then, a stroke had opened the back door by the main route for supplies for the rebel army, its importance would become central to the future of the conflict. The British wanted to close it would difficult if, as they stood against the city of New Orleans.
However, the Spanish military knew better than to lose the initiative so successful that he had given before. Had already been freed of the threat behind him, to the northwest, and could do with a free hand against the British positions in the East: Mobile and Pensacola. In fact this was his ambitious initial plan, to eliminate the British presence in the entire Gulf of Mexico. This set off in haste to Mobila in front of about 1200 expedition aboard 14 ships under but on reaching the bay a tempest destroyed and lost 6 of them died about 400 men.

Figure 3 - Map of Mobile Bay

General Campbell received this information in Pensacola and comes with 1100 soldiers to annihilate the Spanish survivors. But surprisingly Galvez expedition reorganized and received reinforcements of 200 men and 4 boats, enough to begin the siege of the fort at night shelling that dominated Mobila Charlotte with 35 guns and more than 300 British and Indians. The next day the fort had a huge gap where the Spanish began to load uncontrollably. The capture of the fort followed the view of Campbell and his troops did not arrive in time to prevent the surrender of Mobile Pensacola retreating back helplessly. Once again the tenacity of Malaga managed to carry out the conquest and once again proved unable to stop her asking go to Pensacola. But it was not easy prey, along with New Orleans was the main port area and its possession was the domain of the entire west coast of Florida. So Don Bernardo goes to Havana to seek and prepare an appropriate quota. But there is something familiar as we delve into history: envy and struggle of egos.
Bernard was a very young military success for the degree possessed, besides having his father as Viceroy of Mexico and his uncle as minister of the Indies. Despite its merits, many saw him as an upstart. If it is true that these influences will benefit the fact remains that their actions amply justified his promotion. Everyone who was in charge of foreign officials and even got rid of praise for him, noting its proximity to the troops and their youthful energy in command. Something that they had much less military veterans of Havana, officials of another generation who lacked that offensive momentum de Galvez, and even got all sorts of excuses to decline and delaying the reinforcements needed for its operations from Malaga. To this point came the obstacles and immobility his superiors that even the French complained about it to Carlos III. Still Galvez managed to impose the logic of an attack by sea instead of a land from Mobile. Soldiers were given 3800 and 2000 more were provided by Mexico, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo. Two months after the conquest of Mobile the Spanish fleet from Havana heading for Pensacola, but is intercepted by a hurricane scattered the fleet from the peninsula of Florida to the Yucatan. Anyone would have thrown in the towel at such misfortune and bad omen but Bernardo returned to Cuba and thus asked to retry the attack: "The English on their way to Charleston were surprised by a violent storm, because of which their vessels were disseminated to the extent that some were dragged almost England. This is what, more or less happened to us. But the English were not discouraged. We re-organize and attacked Charleston, lucky getting the results we all know. Is it that we are not capable of such a thing? Have you gone the military under both characterized us attacking our enemies? Are we so timid and unstable than just a tropical storm undaunted us in our glorious enterprise? This is what the English think of us, defeated by a temporary setback, unless we maintain a much more important purpose ... ". There was in those seas company more important to the Spanish that takes Pensacola.
Gálvez attacked the pride of the controls but continued to encounter difficulties and in three months only brought together a contingent of 1300 men. The King had given orders to have everything needed for the recovery of Florida, but nevertheless had to send even to Francisco de Saavedra, special envoy of the king, to make them fulfill their desires. This did not achieve very much to the apathy of those controls, but promised to send reinforcements to take Galvez Pensacola. Meanwhile the English, aware of the disaster suffered by the Spanish, attacked Mobila on January 7, 1781 with 900 soldiers, 11 dragoons, 400 Indians, two guns and two frigates. But despite having a 3 to 1 superiority were unable to conquer them and had to retreat once again to Pensacola. That night a Spanish stronghold of 190 had survived the initial attack those enemies fighting bravely in 1300 melee. Ezpeleta told so, the officer in charge of the defense: "Our men, who had decided to sell their lives dearly, organized fired against the enemy." "With these small victories our men gradually acquire a certain feeling of superiority over the enemy."

Figure 4 - Map of Pensacola Bay

It started the year, February 28, 1781 set sail from Havana the new army of Galvez, led by Jose Calvo Irazabal with 29 ships and 3295 men broken down as follows:

• Ship of the line 1: San Ramon (64) badge Irazabal.
• 2 frigates: Santa Clara (34) and Santa Cecilia (28) under the command of Miguel Alderete and Miguel de Goicoechea respectively.
• 1 Chambequín: Cayman (22) Jose Serrato.
• 1 packet: San Gil (18) Jose Maria Chacon.
• 6 frigates transport.
• 4 transport steamers.
• 3 polacras.
• 1 Saetia.
• 3 brigs: including Galveztown.
• 4 sloops: including Carmen Valenzuela.
• 1 schooner San Servando
• 1 French ship of the line.
• A French frigate.
• 1516 riot: Infantry Regiments of Navarra, Guadalajara, Hibernia, Soria, Flanders, Prince and King.
• 102 defense spenders.
• 50 gunners.
• 1627 sailors.

After nine days at sea is presented to the Santa Rosa Island that closed the bay that gave access to the city. The entrance to this bay was defended by the fort of San Carlos on the mainland side and a gun battery on the island of Santa Rosa. Galvez immediately landed his troops on the island by taking the battery easily flee to the British brigs, Mentor (16) and Port Royal that they were firing from inside the bay. He had canceled the crossfire in the inlet, so the ship San Ramon (64), flagship of the fleet commanded by the chief of the naval force of Irazabal Calvo, try to pass but partially aground with a sandbank. Fortunately achieved escape the trap and escape the guns of the fort, but in view of what happened Calvo Irazabal prohibits any ship passing through said mouth. Galvez Irazabal and exchanged letters with harsh words and accusations, but after several days the second was that the conditions of his soldiers were not good and the weather worsened so that if they would storm out to sea to avoid running aground, which would the failure of the expedition. Now it happened that four boats were responsible for being in New Orleans, the tenacious Galvez was launched against his mouth. At their head he was aboard the Galveztown (6) captured an English brig, a gift from Americans to the Spanish marshal. While putting forward the narrow bay defiantly hoisted the admiral's flagship and bold words he addressed to them the rest of the squad: "A bale of thirty-two pick in the camp, I drive and I submit, is one that divides the Fort entry. The one with honor and courage to follow me. I go ahead with the Galveztown to remove the fear. " And so under fire from the fortification delved followed by the brig sloop and two gunboats Valenzuela without running aground and with only minor damage from the enemy. Burning or dying of shame the rest of the Spanish fleet imitated the actions of four brave leaving alone at San Ramon (64) that sailed back to Havana with the furious Calvo Irazabal on board. Cleaning the Bay of enemy ships, Bernard stepped ashore and set up their camp as they remembered the English general John Campbell respect the people and buildings of the town of Pensacola, which then failed to meet the British to burn the town.

Figure 5 - Pensacola with their strengths and the trenches of Galvez

Pensacola had three forts were online on a greater height than before, Fort George, The Hat and highest of them Fort Crescent. Both Campbell and Galvez knew that if he fell this last stronghold, the rest would also like dominoes coming to Fort George was the one who controlled the city under their fire. In this way both sides concentrated their forces at Fort Crescent. On March 22, come after a terrible march of 140 miles from Mobile, Ezpeleta and his 500 soldiers including cavalry and several artillery pieces. Two days later reinforcements also arrivan New Orleans, with 1627 men, 3 ships and siege artillery. It had 33 ships and 4922 men.

Bernardo was already strong enough and ordered a series of trenches to be gradually approaching the fort, while the 2000 British soldiers and 500 Indian mercenaries would not stop harassing the besiegers, fearsome skirmishes in which Galvez even wounded. It was clear the benefits posed by the Indians for the British, so stop using Campbell rejected. To make matters worse the weather is not going encharcando the trenches and arduous living conditions of Spanish soldiers, who after days sighted with anxiety as an approaching army. Fortune smiles are the reinforcements promised by Saavedra, some 20 ships and 3234 men under the command of squad leader Jose Solano boat were distributed as follows:

• 11 ships of the line: St. Louis (80) badge Solano, San Nicolas (80), St. Francis of Assisi (74), Arrogant (74), Guerrero (74), San Gabriel (74), Magnanimous (74), Gallardo (74), San Francisco de Paula (74), Dragon (60) and Sly (58).
• 1 frigate: Our Lady of O (36) under the command of Gabriel de Aristizabal.
• 4 French ships of the line: Palmier (74), Destin (74), L'Intrepid (74) and Le Triton (64).
• 2 French frigates L'Andromaque, Licorne.
• 1 French brig: Levrette.
• 1 cutter: Le Serpent.
• 1600 soldiers under the command of Field Marshal Juan Manuel de Cagigal.
• 909 sailors.
• French 725: Regiments of Orleans, Poitou, Agenois, Gatinois, Cambreis, Du Cap, Army artillery and artillery of the Navy.

With them the forces under Galvez, total 8156 men of diverse backgrounds and has almost completed the placement of the siege artillery under the protection of the trenches located in front of the Fort Crescent. The moral blow to the British must have been very hard, even the Indians stopped attacking barruntando the British defeat.

Figure 6 - Site of Fort Crescent

On May 8, 1781 the Spanish artillery, the estimated distance of one English deserter opened fire first, so so accurate that enemy grenade hit the powder magazine, causing a terrible explosion that killed 105 defenders and "turned the redoubt in a pile of rubble. " After this shocking event entered the Spanish troops in four columns in that fortress full of dead and dying, which surrendered without resistance. From what remained of the walls of the newly conquered fortress began to bombard the fort located at a position adjacent lower altitude. Although there is great resistance was useless, Jonhn Campbell raised the white flag and seeing that they had no possibility to have the Spanish upper position the strong fall in stages, one by one. Pensacola surrendered the next day, rendering the entire West Florida.

Figure 7 - Assault on Fort Crescent

The conquest was learned rapidly throughout the Spanish empire, the bells rang in New Orleans, Havana, Mexico, Madrid and of course in the rebellious colonies, which were finally able to fight without fear of being attacked on two fronts. The capture of Pensacola was decisive for future victories like Yorktown and finally the surrender of the British in the colonies. In England, who also lost the Bahamas, he had only the island of Jamaica in the Gulf of Mexico, but soon began to fear for her too because Bernardo quickly organized an operation to take it. But the disaster of the French fleet of Admiral de Grasse not only stopped the invasion but greatly weakened France, which already suffered from battle fatigue that lead to the subsequent revolution: England won literally saved by the bell. For the allies lacked a definitive assault to knock an opponent who had already gone several times to the canvas. The Treaty of Versailles of 1783, British diplomats recognize the independence of the U.S. but are much more skilled than their military and are able to recover the Bahamas in exchange for the return to the Spanish government of the two Floridas.
Meanwhile Bernard achieved the rank of lieutenant general and the titles of Viscount and Earl of Galvez Gálvezton. After a brief stint in Spain will be appointed governor of Cuba, but would end in 1785 as Viceroy of New Spain, replacing his recently deceased father. They became so popular that the cut end popularity rebuking an ungrateful gesture that plunged into a deep depression who was pure energy and eventually led him to the grave by a gastric nerve on November 30, 1786 at the untimely age of 40 years.
Bernardo de Galvez succeeded with his tenacity not to lose the initiative in its confrontation with the British, showing that the best defense is a good offense, something that his detractors were never understand. Made into its own above its source, that he even has hurt. And it was clear that "there is in the hand of man to oppose the climate. The only recourse is to think how to remedy the unfortunate "and did so again and again to deal a terrible lunge to the British Empire. Meanwhile, his contestonas colonies became stronger every day eating what they came for the Mississippi thanks to an indomitable Galvez and the generosity of the Spanish Empire of Charles III, the U.S. still has not returned all that gave their territories, or recognized sufficiently the role he played for his birth simply because, unlike France, could not be officially ally. As for Spain ... ungrateful then and now, has a habit of ignoring their heroes. It does not matter because, as stated in his coat as he did so often, Bernardo de Galvez aboard his Galveztown say again "I just."

Figure 8 - Shield of the Galvez family

* Note: Figures in parentheses beside the name of each of the vessels indicate the number of artillery pieces could have them.

Figures:

- Figure 1 - Portrait of Bernardo de Galvez of unknown origin.

- Figure 2 - An Exact Map of North and South Carolina, & Georgia, With East and West Florida (1778) by John Lodge. William Russell's The History Of America. London.

- Figure 3 - Map of Mobile of unknown origin.

- Figure 4 - Pensacola Bay (1781). Library of Congress, Map Division Geography an. Washington.

- Figure 5 - Plan of the City of Pensacola's strong fortifications George and lately built by the British Nation (1781) of Louis Huet. Military Historical Service. Madrid.

- Figure 6 - Defeat of Pensacola on May 9, 1781 (1784) by Lausan. Nicolas Ponce. Paris

- Figure 7 - The American Soldier, 1780 (2005). U.S. Army Center of Military. < http://www.history.army.mil/html/artphoto/pripos/amsoldier5.html >

- Figure 8 - Shield of the Galvez family of unknown origin

B ibliografía:

• Aimé. (2000). < http://usuarios.lycos.es/aime/49virrey.html >

• Alarcon, JS (2004) Historical Presence of Hispanics in America: Don Bernardo de Galvez. Virtual Library Miguel de Cervantes. < http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/01394964299359730534802/index.htm >

• Torrente Alsina, J. (2006). A romantic war 1778-1783. Ministry of Defence.

• Castle, F. Bernardo de Galvez. < http://www.uco.es/ ~ l52caarf/frame.html >

• Chavez, TE (2006). Spain and the independence of the United States. Taurus.

• Hispanic America USA (1996). Bernardo de Galvez. Hispanics in the American Revolution. < http://www.neta.com/ ~ 1stbooks/galvez.htm >

• Latin American Studies (1997). Bernardo de Gálvez (1746-1786). < http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/bernardo-galvez.htm >

• Miguélez Martinez, A. (2005). Spanish in combat. Of Iberian mercenaries to the Iraq War.

• Petinal, M. (2002) The campaign of Pensacola, 1781. Almena.

• All to port (2007). Taking Pensacola. All to Port. < http://www.todoababor.es/articulos/pensacola.htm >

• Victoria, P. (2007). Spain Strikes Back. Altered.

• Wikipedia. (2006). < http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_de_Gálvez_y_Madrid >