Help from Spain
When Bernardo de Galvez became governor of Louisiana (remember that Louisiana was controlled by Spain), Spain was neutral. That did not stop Galvez from helping the Patriots. He loaned thousands of dollars to the Americans and opened the port of New Orleans to free trade. Galvez also had tons of supplies and ammunition shipped up the Mississippi River to American troops in the Northwest. With his help, George Rogers Clark was able to capture the key posts of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.
In the summer of 1779, Spain declared war of Great Britain. Galvez raised an army of Spanish soldiers along with Creoles (a person of European and African descent), Native Americans, and African Americans and marched on British posts along the lower Mississippi River. He was able to capture Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile, and Pensacola. Galvez's victories opened supply lines for military goods from Spain, France, and the Caribbean.
According to historian Buchanan Parker Thomson, Galvez had given:
In the summer of 1779, Spain declared war of Great Britain. Galvez raised an army of Spanish soldiers along with Creoles (a person of European and African descent), Native Americans, and African Americans and marched on British posts along the lower Mississippi River. He was able to capture Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile, and Pensacola. Galvez's victories opened supply lines for military goods from Spain, France, and the Caribbean.
According to historian Buchanan Parker Thomson, Galvez had given: