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In late August of 1779 the Opelousas Post Militia consisting of about 67 men left from this place to join other militia units to attack British forces numbering over 1000 in the lower Mississippi valley. They crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to join the Governor-General of the Spanish colony of Louisiana, Gen. Bernardo de Gálvez. They met at Fort San Gabriel a few miles below Baton Rouge. Total forces under Gálvez included 175 Spanish army veterans, 330 Spanish recruits, 80 free men of color, 160 Choctaws, and about 600 men from the various other militias along the Mississippi and throughout the province of Louisiana.

On 22 September 1779, Galvez’s forces captured Ft. New Richmond at Baton Rouge. This brilliant victory forced the surrender of the British headquarters at Ft. Panmure at Natchez. This generally unknown military action in American history in which the Opelousas Post Militia took part aided significantly in the winning of the American Revolution of 1775-1783.

The public is like always invited. Refreshments from 9:30 - 10:00.