Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fort San Carlos

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 18, 2019

1. Fort San Carlos Marker

Inscription.
May 28, 1780
June 17, 1946

Near this spot stood Fort San Carlos, erected in 1780. It was attacked May 28, 1780 by the British & Indians & successfully defended by the Spanish garrison under Capt Fernando de Leyba This victory prevented Great Britain from gaining control of the Mississippi Valley in the later years of the American Revolutionary War

This tablet was placed here by the General Society Sons of the Revolution

Erected 1946 by General Society Sons of the Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.

Location. 38° 37.493′ N, 90° 11.432′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown. Marker is on South Broadway, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the grounds of Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel, near its patio on the left side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 South Broadway, Saint Louis MO 63102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chief Pontiac (within shouting distance of this marker); Phelim O'Toole (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frankie Muse Freeman

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(about 400 feet away); St. Charles Rock Road (about 500 feet away); Battle of St. Louis (about 500 feet away); Rue de la Tour (about 500 feet away); American Zinc Building (about 500 feet away); International Fur Exchange (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Regarding Fort San Carlos. As the marker states, the Battle of Fort San Carlos, the only battle of the American Revolution fought west of the Mississippi took place on what is now the Ballpark Village site. The fort was located at the corner of present-day 4th and Walnut Streets. Led by the British, it's estimated that somewhere between 1,200 and 2,000 Native American warriors from the Sioux, Chippewa, Menominee, and Winnebago advanced on the Village, attacking the unsuspecting community of 900 people, killing several settlers & slaves who were tending their fields on the outskirts of town.

Spanish Governor, Fernando de Leyba, had ordered 4 stone towers to be built in defense of the city, but at the time of the attack, only one, known as Fort San Carlos, had been completed. Although greatly outnumbered, historians

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 18, 2019

2. Fort San Carlos Marker

In front of Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark

give many reasons why the primarily-French townspeople prevailed that day. One of them being that, was the cannon placed in the tower, which, after running out of cannonballs, began firing pieces of glass & nails. Another reason was the fact that the Indians seemed to be more interested in impressing the other tribes. Instead of attacking together, each tribe would take a turn rushing the fort, fight ferociously, then ride off and the next tribe would take a turn. Later, in the official reports of the British commanders, they said that their Native American allies seemed satisfied with what they did, which was to prove their strength & courage in battle. The British were planning to extend the battle for several days, depleting the settlers supply of food, water, & ammunition. But their losses were so high, the battle only lasted two hours. Twenty-one villagers had been killed, & 71 captured.

Every year (on May 28th), the Fort San Carlos Society commemorates the event at that site by reading the names of the 21 people who lost their lives.

Also see . . . Fort San Carlos Commemoration Committee's website. The official website of the committee. Includes a bit of history, as well as the 21 people who were killed in that short battle. (Submitted on September 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,120 times since then and 159 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.