St. Louis Historic Preservation

Event:  St. Louis is Attacked by the British
Brief Description:  In 1780 there was a combined British and Indian attackon St. Louis during the American Revolutionary War. East of St. Louis, 300 Indians went with pro-British Frenchman Jean Marie Ducharme (a former St. Louisan) to attack Cahokia. The rest of his command went to attack St. Louis, led by a general named Hesse. Crossing north of the City, Hesse´s forces encountered many St. Louisans out picking strawberries at present day Fairgrounds Park. One St. Louisan was killed and another captured. Reports of the number killed outside the City´s gates varied significantly from a few dozen to forty or more. Among those killed was Jean Marie Cardinal, an early trader and explorer of the Mississippi. At least one American was also killed in the fields. For defense, the city had fortifications that extended over a mile. The local militia numbered approximately 168 men, augmented with 34 Spanish regulars and the militia of Ste. Genevieve. Without its artillery, however, this force would not have been able to withstand the overwhelming enemy force. A tower located near Fourth and Walnut Streets had three four-pounders and two six-pounder cannons. This artillery was loaded with grapeshot and commanded the fields immediately surrounding the fort. Its fusillades were so successful that, upon the first volley, the Sac and Fox warriors fled the field.
Year:  1780
Decade:  1780 - 1789
Beginning Date: May. 26, 1780

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This site was funded in part by Federal funds administered by the Missouri State Historical Preservation Office, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, The National Park Service, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

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