Fort George (9)

 (1779-1814) - A British colonial fort established in 1772 by British General John Campbell in present-day Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida. Besieged and taken in 1781 by the Spanish under Bernardo de Galvez. Renamed Fort San Miguel (2) and rebuilt by the Spanish in 1783. Fell into ruin after being bombarded by General Andrew Jackson in 1814 during the War of 1812. Abandoned in 1814. Also known as Fort St. Michael (1).

Revolutionary War (1772-1783)
The British were in control of Pensacola during the first part of the Revolutionary War and in 1772 built Fort George at the top of present-day Palafox Hill. By 1871 Fort George was supplemented with two outlying redoubts, Queen Ann's Redoubt and the Prince of Wales Redoubt.

Fort George itself evolved into a large complex anchored at one end by a square parade surrounded by earthworks with four demi-bastions and a dry moat. A long earthwork extended southwest some 600 feet. The fort walls mounted some 20 cannons.



War of 1812 (1812-1814)
The post was bombarded by U.S. General Andrew Jackson in his 1814 attack on Spanish West Florida. In 1818 General Jackson again invaded Pensacola occupying the remaining forts in an effort to stop hostile Florida Indians from attacking U.S. interests. The fort was renamed Fort St. Michael by the Americans. He also removed the Spanish garrison from Pensacola to Cuba in 1818 and returned in 1821 to accept Spanish West Florida from the last Spanish Governor. General Jackson then became the first U.S. military governor of the Florida territory in 1821.

Current Status
Part of Fort George City Park in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida. A partial reconstruction displays a short section of wall with two cannons mounted above.

Sources:
 * , page 170.

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort George
 * Explore Southern History - Fort George