Program AR Post Colbert's Raid 07 1 Colbert's Raid: The only Revolutionary War Battle in Arkansas Before the year 2000 the National Park Service (NPS) began to organize a program called "Lighting Freedom's Flame", to commemorate the events of the Revolutionary War and to publicize the events 225 years after the fact from 2000 to 2008. Why? Anniversaries of historical events provide an opportunity to cause reflection about the past, the meanings of events, and the sites associated with them. There is little awareness or understanding among the general public especially including young people. of the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary Parks and adjacent lands and resources are being increasingly threatened. The Paoli Battlefield is a good case in point. The land about 22 acres belonged to a Malvern Preparatory School and they needed more financial aid and despite the fact that the battlefield had remained intact and was still used as a corn and grain field as it was in September 1777. They felt compelled to sell it to a developer. There was a TV story re: this situation on NBC on the 4th of July 1998. I was told about it and since I knew about the battle, I called the Pennsylvania State Regent and got her permission as well as the permission of the Historian General of DAR. A packet was made up and every State Regent was sent information about the situation. Because of the pressure put on Congress, by the DAR and others, Congress finally appropriated the funds (with matching funds) to buy the field. The "Lighting Freedom's Flame" initiative's purpose is to use the 225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War to raise awareness of the meanings and legacy of the Revolution. To expand research, to identify partners for the project etc. To do so, included creating a logo, (Show pin) better communication between parks in the Revolutionary War area. There has been a great increase of information about the battles of the war as well as archeology done at the sites. This all was incorporated into new and updated programs. Re-enactors need were updated. Parks need to use current educational methods and technologies in order to reach young audiences. Partners include: Council of America's Military Past, Council of American Revolutionary Sites; Sons of the American Revolution, National Association for Interpretation, Society of Cincinnati and Daughters of the American Revolution . Program AR Post Colbert's Raid 07 2 After that introduction, let me tell you the story of Colbert's Raid 225th anniversary will be April 17, 2008. First of all, Arkansas Post was more than just the first permanent settlement of, and the first Capital in Arkansas -it was a cross roads - in 1541, DeSoto. in 1682, LaSalle; in 1686, DeTonti. Five flags have flown over the post the French monarchy; Spain, French Republic, Confederate and United States. At the time of the raid, Spain held title to the area having been awarded the Louisiana Territory after the French and Indian War. The post gave protection to the soldiers, civilians and Indians. The Quapaw Indians of the area were friendly to the Spanish. The post was situated on the south bank of the Arkansas River about 3 leagues above its mouth. There was a stockade in Quadrangular form, one three pounder cannon was mounted on the flanks of each side. The buildings within the fort were a barrick with three rooms for soldiers, commanding officers house, a powder magazine, and a magazine for supplies. Near the fort there were about eight houses.The Quapaw Indians were divided into three villages and lived _____miles from the fort ,over which served a chief and a great chief over them all. About six hundred braves in all. Even though later in the Revolutionary War, Spain entered on the side of the Americans and French, most of the Spanish had not heard the "Shot Heard Round the World". There had been fighting off and on, on the Eastern Side of the Mississippi. However, the Chickasaws and English had begun to harass the Spanish shipping on the Mississippi. To ascertain what the situation might be, Chief Angaska was sent to spy out the river traffic and also if any English had crossed the Mississippi. Capt. James Colbert had been born and raised in Scotland about 1720. He had fled to America to avoid reprisals against suspected Jacobites (supporters of King James). Landing in Savannah, Georgia, he soon made his way inland and adopting the ways of Indians lived among the Chickasaws. He married into the tribe and had three Indian wives. He advanced to a position of influence with the Chickasaws as did several of his sons. Program AR Post Colbert's Raid 07 3 By early April 1783, he was ready to undertake an attack on Arkansas Post. His force numbered: 11 mixed-bloods and Indians (many his sons and nephews), five blacks, one Frenchman, and 64 British and Americans. They boarded a keelboat and a bateau. They passed up the White River, passed thru the cutoff and went on up the Arkansas River. They tricked the Quapaws and so with muffled oars passed the sleeping Indian village. The flotilla pulled into the north bank of the Arkansas at Red Bluff, a short distance from the small village of Spanish settlers and others. Lt . deVillars had moved his family out to one of the small houses in the village when the new commandant, Capt. Dubreuil, arrived. Breaking down the door of the cabin in which the deVillars slept, the attackers took them prisoners. Most of the others were captured too except Sergt. Alexo Pastor who escaped to the fort as did some of the women and children. Outnumbered the Spanish were badly beaten. At hearing the first gun shots, Capt. Dubreuil turned out the 40 man garrison and they manned their positions at the fort and began shooting. They also had the four 4-pounder cannons which they fired. This shooting caused no casualties, but did prevent the attackers from fleeing with the booty they had taken. The Spanish from the fort, then began ordering a sortie. When the gate was opened they were to give a war whoop and dash toward the enemy. But just as they were to go, they saw one of Colbert's officers advancing with a flag of truce and Dona Marie Luisa deVillars. The officer fled and Madamme gave a message from Capt. Colbert which demanded that the Spanish capitulate. After delivering the message, Madamme deVillars returned to the village. The Spanish then launched their sortie. Taken by surprise Colbert's soldiers fled. Hounded by soldiers and Quapaw Indians they ran to their boats taking their prisoners with them. At noon Chief Angaska returned from a scouting party, and being told of the situation, he gathered 100 of his braves and 20 Spanish soldiers and set out to catch up with the English and retake the captives. Colbert decided to release his prisoners all except four soldiers, a boy and three slaves. Later, when the mail arrived, it told of the Preliminary Articles of Peace. (Keep in mind this was six months after Cornwallis was defeated by Washington and Rochambeau). So, the captives still held were released. Enter the Arkansas State Society DAR. Program AR Post Colbert's Raid 07 4 On July 4, 1976 they held a dedication of a corner replica of the Fort San Carlos III. This was on the site of the fort where the only Revolutionary War battle in Arkansas took place on April 17, 1783. The AR State Society DAR raised $15,000 to fund this venture. Gov. David Pryor dedicated the commemorative and cutting the ribbon were: Mrs. James A. Marmouget, state regent; Dr. Lily Peter, past state regent and Arkansas's Poet Laureate. Representatives of Great Britain, France, Spain and the Quapaw Nation participated. The replica of a corner of Fort San Carlos is a stockade type with a capacity of 20 standing people. It is located as close to the site of the original fort as possible. It is of rough hewn lumber and originally had paintings depicting the Colbert Incident with an audio message describing it. The four interpretive paintings and audio aid helped to make the project cover all three DAR objectives: Historical, Educational, and Patriotic. In 1981 there was a rededication of the interpretive panels that had discolored and faded and the Federal Government had had them replaced. On November 12, 1990 the Arkansas Post and Grand Prairie chapters joined together for a ceremony to recognize Revolutionary Soldier, Joseph Stillwell. A large wreathe was placed near the replica of Fort San Carlos in remembrance of the 26 soldier patriots buried in Arkansas. On October 14, 1991, a Wayside Exhibit was dedicated to enhance the partial stockade of the Fort San Carlos. The exhibit lists the names of 26 men (21 were new genealogy finds). Sixteen of those listed had fought at Arkansas Post in the battle of April 17, 1783 - the Colbert Raid. Participating in the ceremonies were: John L. Ferguson, state historian, who gave the main address; the DeWitt Senior High School Band; Co. C Detachment 1, 39th Support Battalion, AR National Guard served as color guard; Mrs. Allen Bush, State Regent; Mrs. James Pollard, state project chairman; Mr. Clark Dixon, AR Post National Park Service superintendent; Mrs. John Simpson, regent, AR Post chapter; Mrs. Glenda Fread, regent Grand Prairie chapter. Mr. Lynn Gaines, of the Bayou Bartholomew chapter NSSAR and Federal Judge Morris Arnold were also there as well as several descendents of the Revolutionary War Patriots were honored. All these are listed in the book - "Arkansas Historical Markers, including Revolutionary War soldiers." Better known as the "Marker Book" or "The Book".