The southeast section of Louisiana still referred to today by many as the “Florida Parishes” was known for nearly half a century (1763-1810) as “West Florida”. Over it flags of two European kingdoms flew, the Union Jack of England for 16 years, and the banner of Spain for 31 years. On the soil of this fruitful southern land was enacted one of the most spectacular events in Louisiana’s colorful history. For the space of 74 days this part of the present state was a free and independent nation, with its own governing officials, its own army, its own navy, its own flag, and its own declaration of independence.
    This well documented volume by the St. Francisville Democrat newspaper in 1935 is a pulse stirring story that every Louisianan should know in detail. To secure this daring, if short-lived freedom, liberty-loving inhabitants, many of them British to the backbone, literally fashioned their plowshares into swords and, at the point of these weapons, captured a fort by force and beat down the defenders, to throw off the shackles of a hated European despotism. This move for freedom resulted in annexation to the United States in 1810 - seven years after the Louisiana Purchase.
     “....Just as the coming of daylight was being indicated by a pinkish glow in the eastern sky a member of the Bayou Sarah Horsemen called attention to the red and yellow banner still floating over the fort that had been taken by force from Spain. It was quickly lowered and a new ensign rose to the top of the staff, the banner blue with a single white five-pointed star. Wild cheers greeted it!”
     “.... Files of old newsprints have been searched; letters in faded ink and crumbling paper, have been found by descendants of those who wrested this land from the haughty Dons; museums, libraries, private institutions, and even the archives of Spain have placed their treasures at my disposal.”

Stanley Clisby Arthur

ISBN: 978-1-68593-175-9

8.5 x 11 hardcover

166 Pages

Published: Reprinted 2025