Bernardo de Galvez

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Bernardo de Galvez was born in 1746 in Malaga, Spain, to a noble and distinguished family in the royal service of the Spanish monarchy.
 

He arrived in Mexico (New Spain) in 1765 and in 1769, he was made commandant of Nueva Vizcaya. It was his duty to subdue the Apache Indians in the area that included Texas. He became governor of Louisiana in 1777. Galvez's duties required him to maintain and develop colonial New Spanish Louisiana, but most importantly, to weaken British influence in the area that included Texas.

 

He became governor of Louisiana in 1777. Galvez's duties required him to maintain and develop colonial New Spanish Louisiana, but most importantly to weaken British influence in the area. He had great admiration for the American Independence movement and was given secret orders to assist wherever possible. Galvez declared the port of New Orleans open and free to American forces and began to provide munitions and cooperated with practically every venture of the rebels in the area.

 

In 1779, Spain declared war on Great Britain and became an open ally of the American Revolutionary movement. Forces under General de Galvez secured the Mississippi River with victories at Manchac, Baton Rouge, and Natchez, causing great worry in the British high command. In 1780, now Brigadier-General de Galvez captured Mobile, and was promoted to Field Marshal and became commander of all Spanish forces in the Americas.
 

Galvez captured Pensacola, the British capital of West Florida. After the revolution, Galvez became viceroy of New Spain in Mexico City, where he died in 1786 at age forty.
 

Bernardo de Galvez deserves recognition for his part in helping the United States gain independence from England and whould be remembered as a patriot. He was, in fact, commended by the Continental Congress and received letters from Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson thanking him for his service to the United States.

 Galveston, Texas and Galveston Bay are named for him and Texans are proud of his contribution to the American Revolution.

Additional information can be found on http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/bernardo-galvez.htm.

 

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Website Created 16 Mar 2005

Last update 21 Apr 2008 09:30:27 PM -0500