The Colbert Raid

The Colbert Raid. April 17, 1783. , During the American Revolution, Arkansas Post belonged to the Spanish, allies of the American patriots. In 1783, British partisans led by James Colbert raided the Spanish village and fort here. It was one of the last engagements of the war, and the only one in Arkansas. , Opposing Forces, The Fort , About 40 Spanish soldiers, in addition to a number of Quapaw Indians, under Capt. Jacobo Dubreuil. These were allies of the American patriots. , The Raiders , About 52 British partisans, including Chickasaw Indians and blacks, under James Logan Colbert, who claimed to be an officer in the British Army., Early Morning Raid Before moving against the fort, Colbert and his British partisans raided nearby farms and homes, taking seven families hostage., [2nd Marker (to right) Photo Captions] , Top left: Stockade timbers of Fort Carlos III were split red oak. Bullets could penetrate no more than an inch. The palisade in front of you is a scale replica of a corner of the fort. , Bottom right: No Surrender After six hours of futile attack, Colbert sent a hostage, Doña de Villars, to the fort with a note demanding surrender. Captain Dubreuil refused., [3rd Marker (to right) Photo Captions] , Top left: Fort Carlos III (named after the Spanish monarch) stood several hundred feet in front of you on ground later washed away by the Arkansas River. Today the area is flooded by Post Bend, a lake occupying a former river channel. , Bottom right: Counterattack Under Captain Dubreuil's orders, Sergeant Pastor and thirteen men threw open the gate of the fort, gave the war whoop, and charged the raiders Colbert's partisans fell back. , [4th Marker (to right) Photo Captions] , Top left: The replica Spanish 8-pounder cannon to your right resembles those used at Fort Carlos III. , Bottom right: Withdrawal Colbert's men fled downstream, taking the hostages with them. , The National Park Service wishes , to thank the Arkansas Society of the , Daughters of the American Revolution , for their sponsorship of these exhibits , and historic replicas.