Capture of Mobile
1813 War of 1812 capture by American forces
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In 1813, the city of Mobile, Alabama was captured by American forces under James Wilkinson during the War of 1812.
changes United States occupation (and later annexation) of Mobile
| Capture of Mobile | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War of 1812 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 United States |
 Spanish Florida | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
James Wilkinson |
Cayetano Pérez  [1] | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| 3rd Infantry Regiment[2] | Fuerte Carlota garrison | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
|
600[2]–Over 1,000 regulars[3] 5 gunboats[2] |
80 regulars 50 cannons[2] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| None | Entire garrison surrendered | ||||||||
Background
In November 1803, the Mobile Act was introduced into the House of Representatives by United States House Committee on Ways and Means chairman John Randolph. The act was signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson on 24 February 1804.[4] Even after the annexation of the Republic of West Florida in 1810 by the United States, Mobile had remained under the control of Spain. However, due to the war with Napoleon and several wars in its South American colonies, Spain was in a weakened state.[5] The situation was so dire that Luis de Onís, the Spanish envoy to the United States, objected in any military actions (including by Spain's allies, Britain and allied native tribes) to defend Spanish Florida as he believed that Spain could only retain control over its holdings in Florida through diplomatic means.[5] In 1813, American President James Madison ordered General James Wilkinson to depart from New Orleans and capture Mobile from Spain.[6]
Capture
Opposing Wilkinson was Spanish Captain Cayetano Pérez. Surrounded, outnumbered, and lacking support from the Spanish government, Pérez surrendered Fuerte Carlota on 13 April 1813 to American General James Wilkinson.[7][8] The American flag was raised over the fort, marking the first time that the American flag had been raised in the city of Mobile.[9]
Aftermath
After the Spanish surrender, Mobile and the surrounding area was annexed into the Mississippi Territory.[10][11] On 30 August 1813, Fort Bowyer was established at Mobile Point.[12] The capture and annexation of Mobile marked the only permanent territorial acquisition made by the United States during the War of 1812.[13]