Battle of Fort San Carlos

In 1780, St. Louis was little more than a French trading town situated in Spanish-owned Louisiana. The outpost was swept up in America's Revolutionary War when Spain allied itself to the American cause. The British took umbrage and decided to attack Spain indirectly through a proxy force of Native Americans led by a handful of British soldiers. Fort San Carlos, a single tower intended to be part of a larger defense fortification, became the rallying point for a small Spanish Army contingent and a rag-tag collection of French, Native American and free black farmers. This small force successfully fought off the British attack, saving little St. Louis from going up in flames. The Battle of Fort San Carlos happened May 25, at what is now the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets. That long-ago fight is commemorated today at 2 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue; www.mohistory.org). Dr. Bob Moore of the National Park Service and author Stephen Kling will discuss recent research on the little-known history of St. Louis' only Revolutionary War battle. Admission is free.