Summati n Weekly
USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
T h i s C o m mu n i t y N ew s p a p e r is a publication of Escambia / Santa Rosa Bar Association
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 16, No. 20
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
May 25, 2016
1 Section, 8 Pages
A Monumental Project: Pensacola Heritage Foundation and the Pensacola “Galvez” Monument
P
ensacola Heritage Foundation (PHF), the oldest historic preservation group in Pensacola, was created in 1964 by Mary Turner Rule with the vision to foster the preservation, and increase community awareness, of the rich heritage of Pensacola and Escambia County, Fla. in order to ensure that the unique history, architecture, and landmarks of the area are available for the enjoyment of future generations and tourists who visit the area. Since Pensacola began, generations of men and women have invested in building this city. They built churches, homes, offices, factories, and public buildings for their needs at the moment. But, more often than not, they recognized that those structures were investments with value beyond their own lifetimes. Today those investments constitute the rich inventory of the history, the evolution and the soul of Pensacola. As PHF President Jim Green knows, this organization spearheaded and continues to encourage local efforts to create a thriving historical region. In the last 40 years, PHF restored homes and historic properties with determination, including the Old Barkley House and Dorr House, now a part of the University of West Florida Historic Trust, another professional partner in cultural resources. In past years, PHF’s efforts enhanced the renewal of the Old Seville Square area from ruins to a thriving historical park via the creation of “Evenings in Olde Seville” concert series, which for 25 years attracted over 50,000 visitors during the summer months. Additionally, PHF hosts a decades-long lecture series featuring beloved storyteller, John Appleyard. History essay contests for local high schools allow local students the opportunity to receive a college scholarship. Celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2014, PHF agreed to partner with the City of Pensacola in a series of monuments, gardens, recognitions and presentations that would feature their common missions of heritage tourism. To that end, PHF recognized that the renewed interest in local historical characters would be a fine way to begin this coordinated effort with the city. The first subject will be a life-sized bronze, equestrian statue at the top of the median of Palafox and Wright streets. This statue is the likeness of Bernardo de Gálvez, Pensacola’s hero of the American Revolution. Now you may ask-–who was Gálvez? Why was he the first character PHF chose to share one of the chronicles of Pensacola’s history? Here is a brief “rest of the story.” In March 1781, General Gálvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gálvez was a Spanish military leader and colonial administrator who sailed into Pensacola Bay to deliver West Florida from the British in one of the longest battles of the American Revolution. As a unique Spanish character in the narrative of Pensacola, Gálvez’s story is extraordinary. To those who study the American Revolution, this man was a true hero. During the course of several years, this dynamic, energetic man supported the cause of the American patriots against the British. Spain had not yet declared war against the British, but as Spain’s agent in Louisiana, his country
was sympathetic to the patriot’s cause. Functioning under the direction of Spain, Gálvez assisted American patriot Oliver Pollock along the southern part of the Gulf in the Spanish-owned territory of Louisiana. Gálvez was able to keep the British away from the Mississippi River, which they were using to supply their troops. East of the Louisiana Territory, then called West Florida, was under British control and was considered a critically strategic asset. Additionally, it was a former valued colony of Spain. When Gálvez received information indicating that Spain had declared war against the British in 1779, his orders were to “drive the British forces out of Pensacola, Mobile, and the other posts they occupy on the Mississippi.” On his own, as the recently named Governor of Louisiana, he began recruiting soldiers to support his mission across West Florida–-to take the forts away from the British. His expedition across the Gulf Coast was called “La Marcha” and with a force of men that included French, Spanish, Creoles, Native Americans, Africans, Swiss, Mexicans and Arcadians, he overtook the forts of Baton Rouge, Manchac and Natchez and drove the British away from the Mississippi River and its environs. Fort Charlotte in Mobile fell soon after, but because of weather, Gálvez’s trek east and “La Marcha” had to wait a bit for the prize of Pensacola and the English Fort George. By this time, the English had the time to repair and reinforce their stronghold in preparation for the siege that was inevitable. Gálvez knew he needed Havana’s support from the sea in order to take the British fort in Pensacola. He requested and received 30 ships and they arrived in March of 1781. By now, because of his success along the Gulf Coast, Spanish King Charles nominated Gálvez to command all forces even over the more senior officers on board the Spanish ships. When Spanish Admiral Calvo, who was in charge of the fleet, arrived at the mouth of the cut into Pensacola Bay, he declared that the water was too shallow for his ships and they would be at risk from nearby batteries. By that evening, a frustrated now General Gálvez sent a cannon ball with a letter wrapped around it to Admiral Calvo, and suggested that he alone (Yo Solo) would go through the cut to prove it possible. He further added the phrase that indicated: “and let those who were brave enough follow him.” The next morning, Gálvez sailed into Pensacola Bay in his flagship and very quickly the rest of the fleet followed. Quietly, Admiral Calvo returned to Havana. As an
aside, in the year that followed, with the Spanish king’s permission, “Yo Solo” (I Alone) is on the Gálvez family coat of arms. Gálvez’s ships landed at Santa Rosa Island on March 9, 1781 and, over the course of almost three months, continued skirmishes with the British. Finally, Gálvez’s forces dug trenches up to the top of Gage Hill, the location of Fort George, and during the course of fighting on May 8, “a grenade from a Spanish siege howitzer ignited the powder store in the Halfmoon Redoubt, a key strongpoint in Pensacola’s fortification system. Further resistance was useless.” British Commander General Campbell surrendered and West Florida was again under Spanish control. This concise narrative gives only highlights of Bernardo de Gálvez’s intrepid chronicle. It is interesting to note that many scholars have written the history of the “Battle of Pensacola” and a recent interview with Spanish historian Carmen de Reparaz helped codify for me the importance of Gálvez to Pensacola’s history. In the last few decades, Bernardo de Gálvez’s name has become familiar to many historians and the general public. He has never been overlooked in his native Spain as he was always their hero of the American Revolution. In 2007, my friend and Pensacola resident Molly Long was living in Spain as the wife of a Spanish Naval Officer. She was also the president of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Madrid. She urged me to ask our congress to support the American Citizenship of Bernardo de Gálvez. To that end, the Malaga Declaration in support of citizenship was coordinated by Federico Souviron, who was President of Foro Bernardo de Galvez, and Molly’s DAR Madrid. As Molly’s friend, I could not say no, but had no clue how to make this happen. However, I was game to try. Over the course of several months, I was patted on the head by many, who assured me that there had only been seven individuals named an “Honorary Citizen of America” –- Hannah and William Penn, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Raoul Wallenberg, and Mother Teresa. Interestingly, two more honorees were contemporaries of Gálvez: Marquis de Lafayette of France and Casimir Pulaski of Poland. It seemed fair to me to include Bernardo de Gálvez in this pantheon of the Revolution and I thought this just might work. Timing is everything. It did not happen from 2007 to 2010, but neither Molly nor I forgot. There were many coincidences that happened in the period after, and, so
this too includes the rest of the story. Bernardo de Gálvez is the native son of the city of Macharaviaya, and because of his support of the American Revolution, that small town in the northern province of Malaga has a Fourth of July event each year. For years, this delightful city has re-enactments of the Battle of Pensacola on May 8. In 2012, several of us traveled with Honorary Spanish Consul Maria Davis to support Macharaviaya as Pensacola’s “Sister City.” Upon his return to Pensacola, Mayor Ashton Hayward declared every May 8 would be celebrated as “Galvez Day” in Pensacola. Additionally, because of various gifted scholars who began writing extensively about Bernardo de Gálvez, his surname was becoming increasingly familiar. In 2012, Governor Scott recognized him as a “Great Floridian.” Our own University of West Florida and WSRE hosted an original film about Bernardo de Gálvez with a charming actor named Chaz Mena, who portrayed Bernardo de Gálvez. Old friend David Hartman, former host of Good Morning America supplied the historical perspective in the film. The Studers also allowed their library to be used in the film. That film is still available online and I encourage you to view it: Yo Solo: Bernardo de Gálvez on the Stage of the American Revolution. Interestingly, two other actions materialized in 2012 that serendipitously buttressed later events. That year Congressman Jeff Miller renewed his interest in our effort, encouraged by his aid, Sharon Santurri. (Santurri is a descendent of one of those on the “La Marcha” expedition in 1781.) Three city administrators dedicated time to this project and gathered a small cadre to join us. We then resubmitted the argument for the nomination for Galvez’s Honorary Citizenship. By now, numerous scholars had reviewed the original argument from 2007, adding new information, and it was traditionally vetted for accuracy. With the encouragement of the Mayor, the City of Pensacola, Escambia County officials, and various state representatives, the entire Florida delegation unanimously voted to support this effort. Regional Gulf Coast support soon followed thanks to the tireless efforts of Congressman Miller’s staff. Two years went by but Congressman Miller and his dedicated staff never stopped working this issue and gaining support from other Gulf Coast states, especially Texas and Louisiana. It was then that serendipity stepped in. In an unanticipated incident, a letter from the period discovered by a Spanish national indicated that Bernardo de Gálvez was as-
sured that his portrait would be hung in perpetuity in the halls of Congress. Pensacola’s efforts and this event happened almost concurrently. In late 2013, Galvez’s portrait was officially hung in the halls of Congress, recognizing him as an American hero of the Revolution and the name Bernardo de Gálvez was a buzz word for American pride. Finally, in December 2014, Congressman Miller kindly called to tell me that Bernardo de Gálvez Citizenship passed unanimously in both houses of Congress. In January of 2015, President Obama signed the declaration. I cried. Now, 235 years later, Pensacola Heritage Foundation is working to preserve the memory of Bernardo de Gálvez and his aid to the colonists during the American Revolution. The life-sized bronze statue, created by Capt. Robert Rasmussen, is Bernardo de Gálvez astride his horse, headed north up Palafox Street to Fort George, which is across the street from the First Baptist Church-– the highest point in Pensacola. His gesture with his hat seems to say, “Follow me boys!” The base of the statue, designed by local architect Dio Perera, will be locally resourced Spanish granite. The shallow pool around the base will have flowing water running off bronze Fleur di Lis surrounding the base, which represents Gálvez’s time in New Orleans. The pool represents the fact that Gálvez arrived by the sea and each of the four sides of the monument will have the names of the British forts which he captured: Baton Rouge, Manchac, Natchez and Pensacola. Surrounding the statue will be knock out red roses with yellow centers which are the colors of the Spanish flag and represent those who died in the battles. With permission from his heirs, the Gálvez coat of arms will be on the north side of the statue as a reminder of our Pensacola hero and one of the lengthiest battles in the American Revolution. Upon completion on May 8, 2017, the statue becomes a gift to the City of Pensacola from Pensacola Heritage Foundation and the committed donors who supported it. This equestrian statue honoring Gálvez is not the first in America. Another likeness of Bernardo de Gálvez was dedicated in Washington, D.C. during the 1776 Bicentennial of the American Revolution. The Spanish granite base has the following words inscribed which were taken from remarks given that day by the King of Spain: “May the statue of Bernardo de Gálvez serve as a reminder that Spain offered the blood of her soldiers for the cause of American Independence.” Indeed.