Drake's
Raid
| God grant they may have had a better
fate, and that these Lutherans may be confounded, and may he help your
majesty to chastise their arrogance in the manner it deserves. |
 |
History
Re-enactment
An English
Account of the Siege of St. Augustine 1586
| Although I have replaced
the archaic typeface and modernized the spelling in this selection I have
left the antiquated words, punctuation and run-on sentences to retain the
flavor of the original document.
-ed.
Selections from Sir Frances West Indian
Voyage by Walter Bigges London 1589
p.42-46
After three days spent in watering our ships,
we departed now the second time from this Cape of St. Anthony the thirteenth
of May, and proceeding about the Cape of Florida, we never touched anywhere,
but coasting alongst Florida, and keeping the shore still in sight, the
eight and twentieth of May early in the morning, we descried on the shore
a place built like a Beacon, which was in deed a scaffold upon four long
masts, raised on end for men to discover to the seaward, being in the latitude
of thirty degrees, or very near there unto. Our Pinnaces manned, and coming
to the shore, we marched up alongst the riverside, to see what place the
enemy held there; for none amongst us had any knowledge thereof at all.
Here the general took occasion to march with the
companies himself in person, the Lieutenant general having the Vanguard,
and going a mile up or somewhat more by the riverside, we might discern
on the other side of the river over against us, a fort, which newly had
been built by the Spaniards, and some mile or there about above the fort,
was a little town or village without walls, built of wooden houses: we
forthwith prepared to have ordinance for the battery, and one piece was
a little before the evening planted, and the first shot being made by the
Lieutenant general himself at their Ensign, strake through the Ensign,
as we afterwards understood by a French man, which came unto us from them.
One shot more was made, which strake the foot of the fort wall, which was
all massive timber of great trees like masts. The lieutenant general was
determined to pass the river this night with four companies, and there
to lodge himself entrenched as near the fort, as that he might play with
his muskets and smallest shot upon any that should appear: and so afterwards
to bring and plant the battery with him, but the help of mariners that
sudden to make trenches could not be had, which was the cause that this
determination we remitted until the next night.
In the night the Lieutenant general took a little
rowing Skiff, and half a dozen well armed, as Captain Morgan, and Captain
Sampson, with some others besides the rowers, and went to view what guard
the enemy kept, as also to take knowledge of the ground. And albeit he
went as covertly as might be, yet the enemy taking the Alarm, grew fearful
that the whole Force was approaching to the assault, and there fore with
all speed abandoned the place after the shooting of some of their pieces.
They thus gone, and he being returned unto us again, but nothing knowing
of there flight from their fort, forthwith came a French man being a Fifer
(who had been prisoner with them) in a little boat, playing on his fife
the tune of the Prince of Orange his song, and being called unto by the
guard, he told them before he put foot out of the boat, what he was himself,
and how the Spaniards were gone from the fort, offering either to remain
in hands there, or else to return to the place with them that would go.
Upon this intelligence the General, the Lieutenant
general, with some of the Captains in one skiff, and the Vice admiral with
some others in his skiff, and two or three Pinnaces furnished of soldiers
with them, put presently over towards the fort, giving order for the rest
of the Pinnaces to follow. And in our approach, some of the enemy bolder
than the rest, having stayed behind their company, shot off two pieces
of ordinance at us: but on shore we went, and entered the place without
finding any man there.
When the day appeared, we found it built all of
timber, the walls being none other than whole masts or bodies of trees
set upright and close together in manner of a pale, without any ditch as
yet made, but who intended with some more time, for they had not yet finished
all their work, having begun the same some three or four months before:
so as to say the truth, they had no reason to keep it, being subject to
both fire and early assault.
The platform whereon the ordinance lay, was whole
bodies of long pine trees, whereof there is great plenty, laid across on
one the other, and some little earth amongst. There was in it thirteen
or fourteen great pieces of brass ordinance, and a chest unbroken up, having
in it the value of some two thousand pounds sterling, by estimation of
the King’s treasurer, to pay the soldiers of that place, who were a hundred
and fifty men.
The fort thus won, which they call St. Johns fort,
and the day opened, we assayed to go to the town, but could not by reason
of some rivers and broken ground which was between the two places: and
therefore enforced to embark again into our Pinnaces, we went thither upon
the great main river, which is called as also the town by the name of St.
Augustine.
At our approaching to land, there was some that
began to show themselves, and to bestow some few shot upon us, but presently
withdrew themselves. And in their running thus away, the Sergeant Major
finding one of their horses ready saddled and bridled, took the same to
follow the chase, and so over going all his company, was (by one laid behind
a bush) shot through the head, & falling down therewith, was by the
same two or three more, stabbed in three or four places of his body with
swords and daggers, before any could come near to his rescue. His death
was much lamented, being in very deed an honest wise Gentleman, and a soldier
of good experience, and of as great courage as any man might be.
In this place called St. Augustine, we understood
the King did keep as is before said, one hundred and fifty soldiers,...
|
Another
English Account of Drake's Raid
| As before I have replaced the archaic typeface
and modernized the spelling in this selection.
From the Primrose Journal of Drake’s Voyage.
Florida and Virginia
The discourse and description of the voyage of
Sir Francis Drake & Master Captain Frobisher, set forward the 14th
Day of September. 1585/...
The 23rd of May we put into the sea for the Cape
of Florida, and the 25th day we got sight thereof & sailing along the
coast, the 27th day we fell with a town called Saint Augustine. There we
went on shore in the morning, but could not enter the Town for they had
warning of our coming, and made a castle of purpose for their defense against
us insuch order that we must win the castle before we could get the Town,
and our ships could not come near the Town to batter it, the water was
shallow except it were 5 or 6 miles from it, Yet there was a goodly River
running close by the town into the country.
The 28th day we took ordinance on shore to batter
the Castle which stood on the side of the river & we were on the other
yet when we had shot two pieces at them, like faint hearted Cowards they
ran away, this was about midnight. Then came over the river to us a French
man and Dutch man who told us they were all fled.
Then the Admiral & Viceadmiral went over with
20 men & entering the castle found there woods tree. Then on the other
side where our men lay the savages and others came out of the woods by
mischance on master Waterhouse the Captain’s lieftenant of our ship was
slain.
The 29th day of May we entered the Town and the
Spaniards gave us 3 or 4 small shot & ran away & in following them
Captain Powell was slain by a horseman & 2 footmen Spaniards.
[On] the 30th day, after we had taken the spoil
of this Town we set it on fire & so went to the Castle where we rested
3 days.
In this Castle we found a chest with the king’s
treasure, and hard by the castle we found a small caravel with certain
treasure in her and some letters from the king of Spain.
For she was newly come thence and further, we
found a little child in her which the Spaniards had left behind them for
haste. We sent them the child and they took her but would not come to us
for any thing we could do.
There was 9 of the savages set up a flag of truce
about 2 miles from the town, which our men found and carried them another.
The second day of June we set fire on the castle,
we [then the] same night set sail from thence. Also that night we set fire
to the caravel [which we] had taken by the Matacosse laden with salt and
took the other caravel with us.
This town of Saint Augustine standith in Florida
[where is] as goodly a soil as maybe, with so great abundance [of] sweet
woods &c’[?] as is wonderful with goodly meadows, [and] store of fish
oysters & mussels with deer and goodly fields of corn after their manner.
There was about 250 houses in this town, but we
left not one of them standing. We found 40 pipes of meal in this place
and much barley but we found neither wine nor oil nor any other victual
to make accompany of. We had in this town 12 great pieces of brass ordnance
This town had 5 weeks of warning before, of our
coming, and had built this castle only for us keeping 90 soldiers there
in garrison, and there we understood that the habitants had burned the
town themselves, and had gotten 1200 men to help thinking that we would
come to them.1
______________________________
1 Quinn, David Beers. ed. The
Roanoke Voyages 1584-1590 Vol. I (Dover Publications: New York 1991)
pp.303-306.
|
Some
Spanish Accounts of Drake’s Raid on St. Augustine
[Pedro Menéndez Marqués to the
president of the House of Trade, San Agustin, June 17, 1586] 1
Very Illustrious Sir
I am reduced to such a situation that I do not
know where to begin to relate the hardship and misery which have befallen
this land. Therefore this communication will not be long, as will be observed.
On the 6th instant Francis Drake arrived at this
port with 42 sail, 23 being large vessels and nineteen pinnaces, frigates
and shallops. At dawn on the 7th he landed 500 men and with seven large
pinnaces sought me forthwith in the fort. With 80 men I had in the fort
I resisted him until nearly midday. In view of my resistance he sent to
the ships which lay outside the bar for reinforcements, and in nine vessels
landed some 2000 men and planted four pieces of artillery among certain
sand dunes near the fort, with which he began to batter it. I retired as
best I could, to protect my women and children (more than 200 persons).
Having occupied the fort, the enemy took and sacked
the town and burned the church with its images and crosses, and cut down
the fruit trees, which were numerous and good. He burned the fort and carried
off the artillery and munitions and food supplies. We are all left with
the clothes we stood in, and in the open country with a little munition
which was hidden. We are without food of any sort except six hogsheads
of flour which will last twenty days at half a pound per head. I am reporting
to His Majesty in full in the accompanying dispatch and entreat your lordship
to forward it immediately, and to favour me as far and as speedily as possible,
since help for Florida must come from your lordship's hands.
Our Lord, etc.
San Agustin, June 17, 1586.
Pedro Menéndez Marqués
______________________________
[The royal officials of Florida to the Crown,
San Agustin, June 17, 1586]
Sacred Catholic Royal Majesty
As soon as news was received here of the damage
which the English corsair had done in Santo Domingo, desiring to prepare
as best he could (after consulting the persons best able to advise and
after having reached an agreement with us to that effect), General Pedro
Menéndez Marquéz built a new fort at the harbour mouth, at
the bar, at the end of the channel, to protect the entrance. There he placed
all the artillery and munitions. Considering how quickly it was done and
by how few people, and with what scanty materials, the fort was very effective
and well situated.
Therefore we removed thither the royal strong-box
and all the books and papers of the accountant's office and others in addition
which seemed important, together with our own valuables, even our clothing.
And so did the general and the other soldiers who were there when the enemy
arrived and assaulted with such vigour that we were compelled to withdraw
under such stress of risk and danger that we could save nothing but the
garments on our backs, and our arms and munitions. The enemy took everything.
The royal strong-box contained little money because, payments due on account
of these two forts being made, there is never much over, most years nothing.
Concerning the enemy's approach and the strength
with which he attacked us, the general will report to Your Majesty, in
whose compassion we confide, trusting that Your Majesty will decide to
order that we be favoured and provided for in such great affliction and
calamity as this in which we remain, and so do we humbly entreat Your Majesty,
whose sacred Catholic royal person Our Lord preserve many and happy years
with increase of greater realms and lordships as Christianity has need.
San Agustin, June 17, 1586.
Sacred Catholic Royal Majesty
Your Majesty's humblest servants and vassals kiss
Your Majesty's royal feet.
Alonso Sancho Saez
Rodrigo de Junco
Bartolome de Arguelles (Rubrics)
____________________________
[Juan de Lepe, Bartólome Cordoriel, Francisco
Hernández, Juan Aivarez depositions made
at Havana June 30, 1586] 2
In the city of San Crist6bal de la Habana,...
Cuba,.. . on the thirtieth day of June in the year one thousand five hundred
and eighty-six..... Juan de Lepe, seaman, .. . being duly sworn... stated
that about twenty days ago deponent being in the fort at San Agustin...
from said fort twenty sails were descried, and these vessels anchored off
the port and landed men from pinnaces. Deponent thinks, about 1000 men
came ashore. They landed artillery and began to batter the fort of San
Agustin. The fight continued through two days, and through two nights they
were under arms. While this attack was going on deponent was putting the
women and children on board his bark, in order to convey them to safety
in the interior among the peaceable Indians. Deponent heard that in view
of the Englishman's strength and the damage he was doing, the garrison
withdrew to the bush. While deponent was in the bush with the women and
children, Pedro Menéndez Marquéz arrived there with the troops,
which were retiring. Later deponent returned and saw that the fort, where
Pedro Menéndez Marquéz was, had been burned. The English
had burned it and the town and the old fort. They razed the maize fields
and carried off everything in the town, and His Majesty's strong-box together
with what was in it, which deponent heard was five thousand ducats. The
English remained there seven days, careening a vessel. At the end of that
time they left, and three negroes who escaped from them (of those the English
had seized in Santo Domingo) said that the Englishman was going to Santa
Elena to take that place, and that from there he would proceed to Newfoundland;
and this is the truth. Further, the English carried off all the artillery
and subsistence. The general had buried certain pieces but three of ours,
who deserted, informed of this and they found these and carried them off...
This is the truth, on the oath he took. He did
not sign because he does not know how to write; and he is about 24 years
old...
... Bartólome Cordoriel... being duly sworn...
stated that... he was in the fort of San Agustin on Friday after Corpus
Christi when from the fort fifteen sail were sighted. These being sighted,
that night General Pedro Menéndez Marquéz ordered deponent
to go with his bark to convey the women and children up the river from
the fort into the bush, and so deponent did, making two trips. He also
carried up six barrels of flour. Therefore deponent did not see the fight,
but he heard the artillery fire exchanged between the fort and the English
fleet. They fired and fought two days and two nights. What deponent did
see was nine English dead on the ground, and he heard it said that two
of the enemy's pinnaces had been sunk. Three negroes who deserted from
the English said that some English had been killed. No Spaniards were killed;
but three soldiers deserted to the enemy, one of whom was French, one Flemish,
and one Spanish. After the two days and two nights that the siege lasted,
the general withdrew to where deponent was with the women. Sixty men accompanied
him. The English held the port seven days. They careened a ship and at
the end of that period burned the town and the fort and destroyed the estates
and trees and razed the maize fields, felling and demolishing everything.
Deponent saw His Majesty's chest taken into the fort and later saw that
it was not saved, because the English ruined and burned everything. He
signed his name and is about 28 years old...
Francisco Hernández, ensign of the fort
at San Agustin. ... being duly ..... . stated that on Friday after Corpus
Christi, on the sixth of the present month of June, certain vessels appeared
at sea off the port. They anchored at the entrance at the bar, and, according
to persons who counted them, and to three negroes who deserted from the
English, these were 23 large ships and many pinnaces and boats, to a total
of more than 50 sail in all. Deponent could not count them because he was
in the fort, which is more than a league from where they anchored.
Saturday morning at dawn boats and frigates and
pinnaces put in, to land men. Twenty pinnaces and boats landed troops which
deponent estimates at a thousand men. They marched in formation with six
flags flying, all red, without any other colour whatsoever. As they advanced
a piece was fired from the fort, at which they paused and took shelter
behind certain sand dunes. Other pieces were fired, which sank two pinnaces
which were off the coast with seamen aboard.
As soon as the English discovered the fort, its
position, and where they could plant artillery, they informed the English
commander, who was on board the ships outside the bar. Thereupon, with
twenty additional boatloads of men, the English commander came ashore with
all his music. He brought four pieces of artillery and these were set up
on land and began to batter the fort. The enemy so busied himself until
nightfall on Saturday. The exchange of artillery fire continued until night
fell.
At nightfall they took down the masts of all the
pinnaces, boats and skiffs preparatory to reembarking therein, for they
could not reach the fort except in skiffs, because there was a river between.
Next day in the morning watch without being observed
they crossed the river in skiffs at a point where a launch belonging to
the fort is stationed. The men there sounded the alarm and those on board
this launch fled to the fort. Similarly, laden pinnaces crossed at another
place and the fort was surrounded.
Seeing which, and that it was impossible to resist
such numbers, since he had only 70 effectives and the fort was made of
timber, General Pedro Menéndez Marquéz withdrew to where
the women and children were to a total number of 200 souls. Had he delayed
he and all his men must certainly have perished; and had they perished
it was certain that the hostile Indians would have attacked the women and
children and all would have been killed.
Therefore the general took this measure to protect
them.
The English held the fort seven days, at the end
of which period they burned the town and forts, razed everything, even
the trees and plantings, carried off all chattels, 50 that nobody saved
anything at all. They took His Majesty's chest. The general had buried
certain pieces of artillery, but three soldiers who deserted to the Englishmen
told him where and he carried them away...
He signed his name and is about 40 years old...
...Juan Alvarez, soldier of the Florida garrison,
being duly sworn stated that deponent was in the said fort on the sixth
of the current month of June when off the port, at sea, appeared 23 large
vessels and pinnaces, as many as ten of them with sails, and so many more
boats and barges that deponent could not count them. The same day, Friday,
they came to anchor off the bar and Saturday morning in boats and barges
and pinnaces sent men to shore and landed a party, the size of which deponent
does not know. Once landed, in formation they marched on the fort, in squadrons
with their flags flying, and halted behind certain sand dunes and from
there withdrew toward the coast, and returned to report to their general.
He came ashore with reinforcements and they brought up four pieces of artillery
and planted them behind the sand dunes and from there opened fire on the
fort. From the fort an answering fire was kept up Saturday afternoon, and
later more were killed, to a total of over twenty English casualties. The
Englishman killed nobody.
Saturday afternoon the English took down the masts
of their pinnaces and boats; on observing which the general summoned a
council to determine what to do, of which council deponent knows nothing
except that he heard that in view of the enemy's very great strength and
since the general had only 80 effectives and could not defend the fort
because it was weak, made of timbers, and since if these men died the Indians
would kill the women and children, the general [was of the opinion that
the garrison should withdraw and so they retired to where the women were.
The English held the fort seven days and burned
the town and razed everything, even the maizefields, at the end of which
time they withdrew.
He signed his name and is about 30 years old;
and he heard that the English carried off the artillery and the contents
of the royal chest...
______________________________
1 Wright, Irene A. Further English
Voyages to Spanish America: Documents from the Archives of the Indies at
Seville illustrating English voyages to the Caribbean, the Spanish Main,
Florida, and Virginia (The Hakluyt Society, London 1951) pp.164-166.
2 Wright. pp.180-184.
|
The
Arms and Armor of Drake
| The list of arms and armor as used on the 1585-86
Voyage is disappointingly vague, at least as described in the Bigges account.
“...The General commanded all the Pinnaces with the ship[’s] boats be manned,
and every man to be furnished with such arms as was needful for that present
service...”1 The description of the siege
of Santo Domingo is somewhat more specific. “Our Lieutenant general commanded
our shot to forbear shooting until we were come to the wall side, &
so with pikes roundly together we approached the place, where we soon found
out the Barricadoes of pipes or buts, to be the meetest place for our assault,
which notwithstanding it was well furnished with pikes and shot, was without
staying attempted by us: down went the buts of earth, and pell mell came
our swords and pikes together, after our shot had first given their volley,
even at the enemies nose. Our pikes were somewhat longer then theirs, and
our bodies better armed, for very few of them were armed, with which advantage
our swords and pikes grew to hard for them, and they driven to give place.”2
Fortunately, there are some more detailed descriptions
surviving from Drake’s earlier voyages; it would not seem unlikely that
his later voyages were similarly armed. On the Hawkins expedition of 1567
a Spaniard noted that, “Aboard these vessels they had many and very choice
pieces of heavy bronze and iron ordnance, trained and loaded with powder
and iron shot. Deponent saw the pieces loaded. He also saw many pikes and
arquebuses and targets and corslets brought up and laid out on the quarter
decks and along the midship gangways of these ships. He saw many archers
with bows and arrows and heavy stones take their places in the rigging.3
In the campaign of 1572: “Drake would lead the
attack on Nombre de Dios with seventy-three men in three pinnaces and a
shallop. He got his assault force to an island at Cativas where each man
was issued a principal tool or weapon. There were six shields, twelve pikes,
six firepikes which could also act as torches, twenty-four arquebuses,
sixteen bows, six spears, two drums, and two trumpets.”4
___________________________
1.Bigges, Walter. Sir Francis
Drakes West Indian Voyage. ( Da Capo Press: New York 1969) P.5.
2 Bigges pp.32-33.
3 Sugden, John. Sir Francis
Drake. (Touchstone: New York 1990) p.33.
4 Sugden. pp.55-56. |
In
the Aftermath of Drake’s Raid
A letter from Juan Bautista de Rojas to Philip
II, dated July 1, 1586
Sacred Catholic royal majesty: After having sent
ahead two packet boats to Spain in which I forwarded in duplicate which
will go with this, a small vessel arrived from Florida, dispatched hence
by the governor of that place, to ask for assistance in the form of men,
food, gun-powder and other military stores and equipment with which he
could rebuild the fortifications, since the English corsairs had landed
on the coast and, he said, overpowered the garrison, captured and burnt
the fortress, and after seven days, they departed and went to Santa Elena,
where we understand that all who were there have perished. [In fact Santa
Elena was not attacked by Drake] God grant they may have had a better fate,
and that these Lutherans may be confounded, and may he help your majesty
to chastise their arrogance in the manner it deserves.
It appears that the corsairs left no artillery
in the place, nor anything of iron or metal, but carried all away. The
governor withdrew with his men to a place to which they had already sent
the women and children. I took statements from four witnesses, selected
from those who arrived here, so that your majesty might be fully informed
of what happened and of the decisions taken here by the governor, the commander
of the fortress and the officials, all of which is being sent to your majesty
as evidence about this disaster.
We suspect that this corsair [Drake] wishes to
settle near here. If this is so, it will be necessary to be very much,
and unceasingly, on our guard. May your majesty, therefore be pleased to
send us, in good time, the arms, stores and other things we have already
asked for, not omitting anything, because if anything is left out and the
enemy should come and find us ill-equipped, your majesty will realize the
unfortunate results that will follow.
All that they asked for from Florida we quickly
dispatched. Immediately, within four hours, we sent a small vessel with
seven arrobas of gun powder and thirteen of lead, biscuits, some oil and
other necessities. We are now preparing in great haste a larger ship in
which will be sent a number of casks of wine, flour, meat and the military
equipment they have requested, as well as four small pieces of artillery,
left here by our paymaster, Cevadilla, when he went to New Spain to collect
his annual rents. We expect him back in the flota, and the amounts he has
collected the cost of these stores will be paid. The ship will leave within
ten hours.
May God keep and prosper the sacred Catholic royal
person of your majesty. May he increase your majesty’s kingdoms and dominions,
of which Christendom stands in such need, and as I, your majesty’s humble
servant, desire. Havana, 1 July 1586.
From your majesty’s humble servant and vassal.
Juan Baptista de Rojas 1
U U U
From [Vincenzo Gradenigo?] to the Doge and
Senate of Venice, dated September 17, 1586
Drake went on to the town of St. Agostino in Florida.
He took it with 15,000 to 20,000 or more ducats and 250 pieces of artillery.
merchandise, and bell metal. The total spoil is reckoned at 700,000 to
800,000 ducats...[Madrid]2
Alas the truth was somewhat less spectacular!
___________________________
1 Quinn, David Beers. ed. The
Roanoke Voyages 1584-1590 Vol. II (Dover Publications: New York 1991)
pp. 754-756.
2 Quinn. p.761.
|
Highlights
of Drake’s Caribbean Tour 1586
In 1586 Sir Francis
Drake began a grand tour of the Spanish Main that would culminate with
the almost incidental sacking and burning of the Towne of St. Augustine
in June of that year. Some highlights, and feeble excuses as recorded by
the Spanish Colonial officials at the time of these incidents are reprinted
below.
Licentiate
Aliaga to the Crown, Xagua (La Española), January 13, 1586
...That night four galleons and nine of the pinnaces
sailed past, to the inlet. There is a small port three leagues from the
city. There they landed nine companies, being about 1400 men, 800 musketeers
and harquebusiers, the rest pikes and halberds...1
To take the city [Santo Domingo] and fortress
was easy for them because among 3000 men there was not one to put up a
fight. On hearing that the enemy was advancing by land they abandoned the
fort, leaving the gates open! So the enemy entered as a man enters into
his own house..
Those who took the city were about 600 well armed
men who had marched more than three leagues that day...They had more than
20 Spanish traitors. In the vanguard was recognized a youth who was publicly
disgraced in Santo Domingo; he was not armed but wore a suit of green velvet....
Fortune continues to persecute me. Since I expected
to return immediately and through the bush I brought one old shirt, and
they have left me stripped...He has 32 large galleons and now from here
he will take booty over 70 pieces of artillery, including five culverins
and eleven cannon larger than little Saint Lorenzo, and three extra large
perriers, and all the munitions the fort and city had, for these dammed
fools did not throw them into the sea, but ran and left everything.
To relate how badly they conducted themselves
is beyond words; the extent of it is unthinkable. it is actually as though
they had been in conspiracy with the enemy.
January 22, [1586]
Alonso Rodriguez Azebedo 2
______________________________
Cartagena:
I was aboard the flagship one day, invited by
Mr. Francis Drake. I think he asked me, intending that I should see his
strength. He showed me that ship in great detail. She carried six culverins
at the bow and four in the poop, 30 pieces in the sides and gunports for
many more. All these pieces were heavy guns. Similarly, there were many
fireworks aboard said flagship, and extra harquebuses. In addition, the
vessel itself is very strong and there are many men aboard. He told me
that ordinarily she carried as many as 600 men...
I have carefully observed the number of men in
the town and on board, it seems to me that they are as many as 2,500, although
some of the English who speak Spanish, with whom I have conversed frequently,
say that they are over 3000.
March 5, 1586.
Tristan de Orive Salazar 3
______________________________
The people who were retreating came to a trench
which was at the entrance to Santo Domingo street, where a culverin was
planted. Among them was also the enemy’s sergeant major and about twenty
of his company who entered the trench along with ours and were not recognized,
nor did they make themselves known. They carried pikes and halberds. The
governor had remained behind in the trench at the Celeta and had gathered
up the men who kept their positions. He sought to lead them to the Santo
Domingo trench and as he approached he said to those with him; ‘Why didn’t
you make a stand, like these men here?’ As he said this these English attacked
and fell upon him. He turned his horse on them and made off in great danger.
The sergeant major recounts this frequently in his conversations.
The enemy was advancing along the beach. I found
that I had lost the governor, and seeking him I came upon a trench on the
beach adjacent to Santo Domingo. There I found the guidon and the campmaster
and some few horse. I asked them for the governor but they knew nothing
of him. I suggested that we should seek him. Arriving at the Santo Domingo
trench, being a little in advance as we came upon the trench, and seeing
men in it, I supposed that they were friends and said: ‘Let us fire on
that haste, brothers.’ Entering into the trench, as the day broke I recognized
that they were enemies and pricked up my horse and by using my lance was
able to move ride on. The blows the enemy’s pikes dealt me left marks upon
my cuirass. Pedro de Coronado, a page, who was near me, found himself in
danger but got through. He received a pike wound from which he came near
dying. Campmaster Alvaro de Mendoza was following us and the sergeant major
seized the reins of the horse, for he thought that he was the governor.
The horse swung completely around and struck the sergeant major with his
flank, throwing him to the ground, and so the good old man escaped with
a pike-wound to his face. The rest got away in another direction.
4
That same night, as soon as he had anchored, from
his boats the enemy landed 1000 men, pikes and harquebuses, in square formation.
March 12, 1586
Pedro Fernández de Busto 5
______________________________
Yet here, on Thursday, an hour before the day
broke, he attacked us with 500 to 600 men in such a manner that we were
almost man to man in numbers, and we had trenches and ditches and artillery.
The galleys fired their artillery and killed about 100 men, and from the
trenches we gave them two rounds. They let us have another two.
I saw that the enemy had halted and did not dare
to come up. I came out of the trench, sword in hand crying ‘Victory!’ The
enemy trumpets began to sound retreat. When I was outside the works, already
surrounded by enemies, I turned to see whether our men were coming after
me and observed that, instead of following up advantage, they had turned
their backs and were fleeing at full speed.
So I went and got together some 300 harquebuses
and returned by the bridge to face the enemy; and when I began to skirmish
they again left me alone, and so the city was lost because it was your
Majesty’s luck to have in it the most cowardly subjects there can be in
the whole world. Had they been other than they are, a not very difficult
victory would have been won instead of a very easy loss of the city.
April 5, 1586
Don Pedro Vique y Manrique 6
______________________________
1 Wright, Irene A. Further English
Voyages to Spanish America: Documents from the Archives of the Indies at
Seville illustrating English voyages to the Caribbean, the Spanish Main,
Florida, and Virginia (The Hakluyt Society, London 1951) pp.16-17.
2 Wright. pp.20-27.
3 Wright. p.44.
4 Wright. p.50.
5 Wright. p.53
6 Wright. p.63.
Reflections
on Drake's Raid of 1586
A Brief and Historically Accurate
Account of the Actual Event
In the month of June, in the year 1586, the little
town of Saint Augustine received the dubious distinction of being sacked
and burned by the famous English corsair, Sir Francis Drake.
It wasn't much of a contest…the Spanish garrison
consisting of eighty soldiers manned a wooden fort armed with fourteen
bronze cannon... not much defense for the remaining two-hundred and fifty
colonists considering the fact that Drake's fleet of more than twenty warships
manned by two thousand mariners and soldiers awaited just across the bay!
Drake had not come searching for Saint Augustine,
having just plundered Spanish settlements in the Caribbean, holding Santo
Domingo & Cartegena for ransom. He now headed for Raleigh's Virginia
colony...sailing along the Florida coast, a watchtower piqued El Draco's
curiosity...Drake had just stumbled on the place and now made plans to
attack yet another Spanish town! |
|
The following day, Drake landed a force of a thousand
men. The town & fort lay abandoned, the population having fled into
the nearby woods. As they entered the fort, evidence of the defenders haste
became apparent,…the invaders found that the garrison paychest containing
10,000 silver ducats had been left behind!
It would be Captain Anthony Powell's blatant violation
of the "kiss" rule, (Keep It Simple Stupid!), that would alter the chain
of events somewhat. Apparently, Powell had spotted a saddled horse, mounted
it and charged to the woodline in response to Spanish taunting...struck
Juan Contreras in the head with a lance.. and then, in turn, was immediately
dragged from the horse and hacked to death by angry locals.
It seems that Anthony Powell was also Drake's
cousin (oops!)...and the decision to not only loot... but burn the town,
cut down the fruit trees and destroy the gardens as well, was an act of
revenge for the loss of his kinsman!
El Draco came, pillaged, burned the town to the
ground...and continued his way, voyaging up the coast to reach Sir Walter
Raleigh's colony. With the exception of accounting for the loot...fourteen
bronze cannons and the 10,000 silver ducats and mourning the loss of his
foolhardy cousin, Drake apparently deemed his raid on the Spanish town
of Saint Augustine, an insignificant event, barely worth mentioning in
his records!
The Spanish officials, however, had to explain
the loss of the garrison payroll and how they had defended themselves with
honor in the face of overwhelming odds to the crown, so some embellishment
of the actual events of June, 1586 was to be expected on their part!
The Reenactment ....from a participant's
view
For over a decade, the Men of Menendez have commemorated
Drake's Raid of 1586. It is an interesting story, good history & a
popular reenactment. Each year is different, presenting a series of new
challenges which must be dealt with in order successfully present a twilight
battle, conducted through the narrow streets of downtown St. Augustine,
involving the firing of many black powder weapons in relatively close proximity
to the spectators, staged sword fights, several armored horsemen, a large
force of English pikemen and "terrified" townfolk (who also act as crowd
control as the event unfolds).
Several Spanish arquebusiers, myself included,
went ahead to locate the English invaders and alert the town of their approach.
We soon found them!
Banners flying, in the deepening dusk they came,
with pikemen, arquebusiers and cannon, marching up Aviles Street toward
the Plaza. My warning shot was met by a volley of fire from the attackers,
the street suddenly filled with swirling smoke, hanging low in the moist
air. The Spaniards kept up a sustained volley of fire as they slowly retreated
in the face of enormous odds.
The streets echoed with gun & cannon fire,
the smell of black powder and burning matchcord filled the air. Drake's
men now pursued the Spanish down St. George Street... you could see the
flash of matchlocks and cannon, hear the din of their drums and through
the smoky haze which now blanketed the streets you could see the English
pikemen advancing on the vastly outnumbered defenders.
Amidst the noise and confusion you can slip quite
easily into actually living history for a moment... the sense of frustration,
desperation and panic one might have felt at a time like this. As we withdrew
toward the Old City gates, it was now obvious that Drake's men controlled
the town.
The volley's of musket fire from our arquebusses,
futile gestures of defiance. As the last of the Spanish soldiers fled through
the gates, the English paused to gloat and "speechify"...dictating the
"generous" terms of surrender set by Sir Francis Drake.
A thunderous round of applause from the enthusiastic
crowd of spectators suddenly brought us back to the present...we had successfully
lost and the eleventh annual reenactment of Drake's Raid was "history"
The significance of the event lies in the fact
that it actually took place here! How many towns can claim the honor of
being sacked and burned by the most famous English corsair of all time?
The next time you stroll the beaches, or gaze
across the bayfront, take a moment to envision the imposing sight of a
fleet of twentythree warships covering the horizon...and the unwelcome
"tourists" who paid the Ancient City a memorable "Spring Break" visit in
1586!
Drake’s Raid
‘98
“Our moms went to get the pikes.”
The re-enactment of Drake’s 1586 Raid on St. Augustine
was again held this year. As expected, and scripted, the English were again
victorious in their 16th century version of urban renewal. I write this
freshly showered after returning home, but expect that when my wife gets
home from work that a second round of bathing will again be suggested as
I still retain the reek of blackpowder residue and smoke.
The high temperatures of the preceding week finally
broke Friday night. With great fortune the weather went from oppressively
hot and humid to merely very warm, with only the slightest hint of rain.
Great fun was had throughout the day at the Fountain
of Youth battlefield as the ‘Heathens’ (Indians) attacked the English.
Later in the day a brave company of Spaniards ( Well okay, it was 2 arquebusiers
& 1 flag bearer) sought battle with the English who where drilling
in a Dutch brigade (Pikes centered with musketeers on the flanks), in spite
of our later reinforcement by a squad of pike wielding boy scouts the commands
of ‘run away’ & ‘fall down’ were the ones greatly in evidence.
The scouts later provided one of the highlights
of the day. When everybody was assembling at the city gates prior to the
battle, it was apparent that the scouts were weaponless. An inquiry into
their disarmed state elicited the now classic response, “Our moms went
to get the pikes.”
At the risk of boring the half the readership
who are intimately familiar with Drake’s Raid (in fact I’m sure that some
have attended all 13) and the City of St. Augustine, perhaps I should explain
what actually happens at this event as opposed to the historical accounts
covered in previous issues.
During the weekend, an encampment is set up at
the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park located about 1 mile north of
the city gates and the Castillo. Although the site is a long running ‘tourist
trap’ it also has the virtues of wide open spaces, shade trees and best
of all it’s also the location of several of the original wooden forts that
guarded St. Augustine during its first century. The encampment is open
to the general public during the day so there is the constant hazard of
visitors poking their heads into your pavilion during inopportune moments.
All-in-all though it’s a pretty good trade for use of the site.
On Saturday evening the armies of the English
and Spanish, along with their women and children and Indian allies, assemble
at the city gates and march down St. George Street. This ½ mile
long route is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in the city and is lined
with an inordinate amount of Ye Olde T-shirt Shoppes, candy stores, kite
purveyors, street musicians, antique photo emporiums, a couple of bars
and restaurants and oh yes the 18th century living history Spanish Quarter
Museum.
The English continue marching down past the Governor's
Plaza and prepare to attack. A few Spanish skirmishers are sent to harass
the English while the Augustinos(?) get into place and clear the projected
battle-zone. What is most remarkable about this event is that the spectators
are incredibly close to the action. In the main plaza where the exchange
of fire between the combatants takes place, there are often members of
the public within 5’ of the firing line. When the command to retreat is
sounding the situation gets even hairier. In spite of the best efforts
of the Distaff to clear St. George Street; in the scramble of retreating
and forming a skirmish line, there are often spectators that find themselves
trapped between the lines of combatants. Thus we must wait for the baby
strollers to clear before continuing the battle, all the while aware that
somebody may still wander into the firefight.
Thus the battle continues northward is a series
of retreats and stands until defeated at the city gates. I know I find
myself ducking into doorways and hiding behind garbage cans while reloading
my arquebus. There is that “I’ve seen the elephant” feeling while watching
a wall of pikes approach and seeing a well executed command of musketeers
attack through the ranks.
Though clearly digging trenches across the road
is out of the question, I can not help but think that some form of expedient
barricade would lend an air of realism to the battle. Though I must admit
a passing temptation to wonder what removing one the large catch-basin
grates would do to an attacking pike square. Then again some string strung
above head level would probably accomplish the same thing.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the lack
of cannon fire this year. There's something about artillery, even the light
stuff that lends an authority to the battle that seeming endless exchanges
of matchlock fire does not. I hope that next year that a cannon crew can
be rounded up.
If only for that moment when a window breaks from
the report and everybody gets that “its not my cannon look” so reminiscent
of the childhood reaction to an errant baseball and the sound of shattering
glass.
Drake’s seemed to have a tired feel this time,
though I’m not sure why. Perhaps it was the early morning interviews with
the ‘wacky’ guy TV reporter that set the tone for the day. Then again there
was that haze of smoke and ash drifting over the camp from the raging wild
fires near the city. I thought that it lent a wonder air of authenticity
to the event, but then again I wasn’t worried about having my house burn
down either.
There were some encouraging signs this year, like
the fact that enough advertising had been done such that the public had
at least some idea that an event was taking place as opposed to previous
years where most of the spectators just happened to be in the area with
no idea as to what was about to happen. Also, since nearly everybody on
site had participated several times before the hours long battle rehearsal
was avoided! It was a pleasure just being able to go out in the field and
skirmish as opposed to standing around reviewing the well known battle
plan little changed from previous years. It just that few seemed interested
in participating. Till next year. - Tim -<):{)}
Drake’s Raid on the Towne
of St. Augustine- 1999
The headline in the St.
Augustine Record on Sunday morning after the event proclaimed, “What
a Jolly Olde Raid.” A sentiment with which I must concuur. The accompanying
photo featured the smiling visages of Captain William Kunze, Commander
of the English Forces and Calderon’s Company’s own Larry May as they practiced
pike drill on the parade ground at the Fountain of Youth.
Although I again participated as an arqubusier during the evening’s
battle I fielded a pike in the morning’s drill and got my first taste of
a pike push. Something that I can only describe as being akin to a rugby
scrum with sticks. The difference between ordinary drill and a push of
pike is somewhat like comparing the action of a marching band to that of
the football team. With fewer than 10 on a side in this case nothing got
too out of hand although I’m given to understand that in the UK with large
blocks involved broken bones are not uncommon. At the very least expect
your feet to get stomped. From reading some electronic news groups there
seems to be some argument among those in the UK doing [English] Civil War
reenactment as to the authenticity of a ‘push of pike’ with the pikes held
upwards and sideways during battle reenactments. The alternative of two
groups with pikes pointed menacingly towards each other from ten feet away
while taunts are shouted seems equally ridiculous. At least with the push,
spectators and combatants alike can get some feel for a contest. I’ve also
read that that 17th C. commanders used the ‘push of pike’ to help motivate
and harden their troops even if it wasn’t used as such on the battlefield.
In any event I, for one, thought the the use of pike on pike combat in
the evening’s battle lent something new to the annual skirmish.
During the day there was the usual hanging
around camp, answering tourist’s questions, and the everpopular picture
taking. Again this year the heat seemed to minimize the desire of anyone
to skirmish in the field. So drill tended to be limited to individuals
or small groups practicing at irregular intervals. From the giggling that
I overheard the Distaff seemed to enjoy the, “things for the women and
children to yell as they run away from the English,” class. Other than
a brief visit to the Planetarium, its air-conditioning being a welcome
respite from the heat, the rest of the afternoon was uneventful. |
|
A dashing Larry May takes
to the street to defend the town
|
In the evening, again the worthy men of San Augustin took to the streets
to defend the town against the English horde. We mustered at the city gates
and marched to the main plaza. We had an unusually long time in the plaza,
about half an hour, before the battle was to begin at eight. So we had
quite a chance to interact with the spectators who had gathered to witness
the evening’s reenactment. About half my time was spent explaining the
history of the Raid, our equipment, and techniques to minimize the noise
from the cannon. The other half was of course spent in endless gentle but
firm requests for people to get off the grass and on the sidewalk. I can’t
help but wonder if some ropes and stakes might come in handy in holding
back the crowd.
From the supply in her packbasket, my wife was breaking off pieces of
bread and passing them out to families. Saying with the greatest solemnity,
“For the children.” Soon it was time to kiss my wife good bye, cross myself,
and load up my arquebus. The Distaff went down Aviles street, from which
they would soon return, running and screaming through the Spanish lines
and away from the English. After several volleys of cannon and musket fire
and pike combat it was time to begin our headlong retreat down St. George
Street.
For those who’ve not experienced a Drake’s Raid themselves I can only
suggest that you try to imagine streets Pamplona filled with wheelchairs
and baby strollers during the running of the bulls to get a feel of difficult
problem of crowd control at this event. Unlike most battle reenactments,
in particular those of the American Civil War type, St. Augusine’s visitors
are right on the edge of the action, and often found in between the armies
on the march. Compared to a typical ACW event where the spectators are
kept at a distance of a hundred yards or more from the action, which is
quickly obscured by smoke in the first few volleys, Drake’s is a unique
experience.
Because of the number spectators who follow the along with the action
as if it were a golf tournament, the retreat and battle is a series of
holding actions where we can safely stop, and clear the crowd out of the
area between the armies. During one of these lulls I had a neat conversation
with Robert Hall about the First De Soto Winter Encampment Event in Tallahassee,
and the arrival of the De Soto Historical Society.
As it got dark, and my powder was expended it was time to die by impaling
my self on a rubber pike head. And I didn’t get stepped on this year! After
which I was resurrected and joined the Spanish and English together in
the post battle Jollification.
-Tim
From the Things to Yell, When
Attacked by the English, Class
|
¡Es una desgraia!
|
It’s a disaster! |
|
¡Van a matar todos!
|
They’re going to kill everybody! |
|
¡Somos fregados!
|
We’re doomed to hell! |
|
Banda de piratas pica-pulgas.
|
Gang of flea-bitten pirates. |
|
¡Vienen a fuquetearnos!
|
(Well, I don’t think that they actually used that one on the street,
so I’ll skip the translation. But, yes ‘fuquetearnos’ is another example
of an English/Spanish cognate. Although from the giggling I overheard this
explanation is hardly necessary.) |
I Was a 16th C. Reenactor's Widow
by Jennifer Burke
 |
The "Widow" and her husband mustering on St. George's
Street in St. Augustine.
|
It’s the last day of filming for the new Desoto movie and I’ve decided
to wait it out in air-conditioned comfort. There is only so much humidity,
sunburn, insect bites, and ‘snow’ that this delicate southern flower can
take (see “Yes I am a Movie
Star” for more info on the Desoto movie and ‘snow’).
So instead I have decided to write the article Tim’s been asking for
all month, “A woman’s perspective on Drake’s Raid” or as I call it, “I
was a 16th century re-enactor’s widow”. Actually, Drake’s Raid itself was
a hooty-hoo-hoot and I can’t wait to do it again next year. The re-enactment
was heavy on the testosterone levels. Musket and cannon fire combined with
pike drills during the day was fun to watch, from a distance while sipping
lemonade. He-men in Inglés and Español varieties abounded.
It became clear to me early in the weekend that I would not see much of
my husband, as Drake’s raid is tailor-made for male ‘bonding’. Instead,
I found myself getting to know the other `war widows’ as they made camp,
cooked, and educated visitor’s on the age of discovery.
The efforts of these women shamed me and my part-time re-enactor lifestyle.
They knew the history, the crafts, the culture, and how to cheat at Spanish
card games (I am not a sore loser) and portrayed the era with grace and
realism. I must give praise to Sheila Benjamin’s use of faux foods as it
kept down the insects and the pillaging by hungry soldiers. I was especially
struck by the friendliness of all the women, in 90°+ heat, while wearing
so many layers of clothing and corsets. Whereas the men stripped down to
lighter layers during the day, the women carried on (although afternoon
siestas did seem popular). |
The evening re-enactment was the highlight. After a short briefing as to
the townsfolk’s role in the re-enactment and consultation with my book
of Spanish insults to hurl at the nasty Englais we rounded up at Aviles
Street to prepare for the battle. Once there I heard tales of Drake’s raid
past. Pigs on the loose, rotten fruit throwing, fires, broken windows and
overzealous Tourists were discussed.
Suddenly (ok, it took about a half-hour for them to get started) the
flea-bitten pirates (the English) advanced with a volley of musket-fire.
The switch was thrown and we threw ourselves, quite literally in some cases,
into our parts as terrified, shock-ridden families. Suddenly I was screaming
and wailing in terror as an instant mother of three (a big surprise to
my husband later). At that moment I felt the rush of being completely in
submerged in a re-enactment. My drama-queen tendencies took over as I urged
tourists to grab their children and hide in the swamps. When separated
from my insta-family I searched, shouting, “where’s my children” and hurled
insults at the advancing English. The heat, smell of gunpowder, and sounds
of battle swept me away.
The downside was minimal. It included poor pacing of the moving re-enactment.
Lots of hurry up and wait, which led to some difficulty in maintaining
the drama and keeping the attention focused for the touristas. I hope that
a “dry-run” will be held at the fountain next year so that the pace is
better and so that townspeople can lend better crowd control/stay out of
the line of fire. Also, I have to admit I was distracted by some of the
female re-enactors decision to “Ren Faire” it up with the tourists---it
didn’t seem to work well. Don’t get me wrong, I worked the Renaissance
Faire circuit for a few years and loved it, it just seemed awkward and
counter-productive in this re-enactment setting.
On the upside was the immense charge I felt, I didn’t want it to end.
I think Tim and I discussed ways to improve next year’s ‘Raid’ most of
the way home. Additions of blood packs, farm animals, and smoke machines
were considered. We also discussed impaling meat and veggies on the ‘Inglés’
pikes and ending the re-enactment with a BBQ (I think that was the lack
of sleep talking). More seriously we discussed making up a map to block
out the procession of the battle beforehand and work out the pacing. I
can’t wait to work on my death scenes for next year. You should try it;
you can die as often as you wish and it’s cool when the tourists swear
revenge on the English dogs for harming you. At one point this year I was
concerned that a group of pro-football player type touristas might change
history by taking out Drake and his men.
[I’d put my money on the armed men vs. drunken football players-
Tim]
All in all, I enjoyed being a ‘widow’ at Drake’s Raid and I look forward
to the next opportunity I have to let go and have fun.
Back
to the Top
Calderon's Company-
Home
Questions, comments, suggestions, bad links, spelling mistakes, grammar
errors and the five simple actions that will turn me into a mental wizard
overnight can be directed to:
Timothy Burke
