Fort Mosé the Florida border
Fort Mosé protected the access to San Agustín from Georgia, it was maintained by former slaves escaped from the English 13 colonies, which became Spanish. They swore allegiance to the Spanish Crown and enlisted in the army. In the place they lived with their families and cultivated their fields, while guarding the border.
+ Hispanic Roots
First Colored Captain in the Spanish U.S (1740)
Long before the United States had an officer of color, Spain had already made Francisco Menéndez an officer in 1740. This slave, a descendant of Mandinga, fled the Carolina plantations, managed to reach Spanish Florida. In San Agustín, he enlisted in the Spanish army and took Francisco Menéndez as his name. Already in 1728 he stood out at the head of the black militia against the English attacks.
He led the black militia of Fuerte Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. This place is recognized as a Place of Historical Importance in the USA There they had to repel an English attack in the year 1740.
In the Anglo-American U.S it would have to wait until 1926, when Jesse L. Brown was made an officer thanks to his participation in the Korean War. He also became a Marine Captain, Frederic Branch in 1952. Unfortunately despite his service record, he was not subsequently promoted. He abandoned the army sick of the excuses that he was getting.
First General of Spanish color (1769)
The Spanish army was also in the vanguard, being the first army to recognize the worth of people of color. For this reason, it promoted the black Dominican Eusebio Puello to General in 1769. This General held positions of responsibility in Cuba. At that time it was unthinkable that the British or French Army would give a position of responsibility and more so if it was a military man of color.
In the United States, the first general of color was Benjamin Davis in 1960. in the Air Force.
Where did the escaped English slaves take refuge?
Escaped slaves from the English colonies were given refuge in Florida. They were allowed to work in public works by paying them a salary
Some of the African slaves from Georgia and Carolina fled the plantations, longing for their lost freedom. After many hardships they managed to reach Florida, where they were protected by Spanish Laws. This place is of enormous importance to the history of African Americans.
Fort Mose grounds
Shelter and freedom of English slaves
Life on the English plantations in Carolina was very hard. Thousands of Africans came to them and became slaves. One of these descendants of Mandingo Africans managed to escape and others later tried. The King of Spain issued special laws with them in mind. Escaped slaves from the English colonies were given refuge. They were allowed to work in public works by paying them a salary
Fort Mosé in Florida, was the first stronghold of freedom
But the best way to have all the rights was to enlist in the Spanish army. In this way, with the refugee slaves, the first population directed and controlled by themselves was created.
Fort Mosé was located in North Florida. Place of Freedom for escaped slaves from Georgia and Carolina. It became a refuge for English slaves fleeing the plantations
The first free slave colony was self-managed
It was his paradise after slavery, and his life and work on the plantations of the 13 English colonies. Slaves fled mostly from Georgia due to its proximity and Carolina (currently North Carolina and South Carolina). Those who were lucky enough to reach Spanish territory obtained freedom.
Located in Florida
In the present south of the U.S, bordering the 13 colonies. It was the outpost of the town of San Agustín. For the slaves fled from the English colonies it was a true life in freedom. It was a small surveillance fort that was self-supplied, through its cultivation areas
Protection of the Crown of Spain
Fort Mosé (1738) in Florida, built by slaves fled from English farms
Before Haiti declared itself independent (1804), creating the first state of free slaves. And more than 100 years before freedom was granted to North American slaves (1866), in Florida, there was already a group of former slaves living in freedom.
Escaped slaves from Georgia and Carolina
They asked for refuge in the lands of Florida. They were allowed to work on the defenses by paying them a salary.
Many enlisted as soldiers
New soldiers from the English slaves who managed to flee from the Georgia and Carolina plantations
In the service of Spain, they could fight their former masters. They were given freedom in exchange for joining the army. Some of the military formations of the so-called morenos became famous for their bravery.
Welcome from Spain (1693)
A Royal Order granted freedom to black slaves who came to Florida
From 1681, former slaves were taken in. This allowed more slaves to arrive little by little from Georgia and Carolina. For Spain it was a way to increase the population of Florida and improve its defense, with soldiers motivated against the Anglo-Americans.
Mosé 3 km from San Agustín
A town with growing areas. National Historic Monument (1995)
Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mosé was located 3 km from San Agustín and is the only settlement of free slaves in the United States.
Their work was to defend the first city in the United States, San Agustín, founded in 1565. They actively participated in the defense of San Agustín in 1740. And later in the Spanish counterattack to Georgia.
Florida was ceded to Great Britain in 1763 as an exchange for other Hispanic territories occupied by the English. The residents of Fort Mosé did not want to stay with the English and marched to Cuba with the Spanish troops.
When La Florida was recovered in 1783 and passed back to Spanish control, the old inhabitants of Fort Mosé did not want to return and stayed on the Island of Cuba.
First Hidden Route
Escape routes for slaves from English territories to freedom
It was the first of the known as “Underground Route” called Underground Railroad in the United States. This was the name given to the routes and paths that slaves followed to achieve freedom. Most of these routes went north.
Fort Mosé (1738)
It was the first free slave settlement. Built and defended by free black slaves led by Francisco Menéndez
The easiest way to gain freedom upon arrival in Florida was to serve in the military. With one of these groups that were baptized and swore allegiance to Spain, Fort Mosé was created. The fort was intended to strengthen the defenses of St. Augustine against Georgia with a fortification a few kilometers to the North.
The fort was created under the leadership of Captain Francisco Menéndez, a former slave in South Carolina who fled and became a Spanish soldier. His hatred of the English, his courage and leadership, allowed him to rise quickly.
Made up entirely of soldiers of color, former slaves in Georgia and Carolina. They brought their families to settle with them. They built the fort that would be the first of its kind in the United States. They not only patrolled the area carrying out surveillance tasks, they also had their own crops, on which they and their families could live.