Fort Barrancas - First Battles

First Battles

In 1814, the fort was the scene of the American victory at the Battle of Pensacola, which was fought between the American forces, commanded by General Andrew Jackson, and the British, Spanish, and Creek Indians during the War of 1812.

In 1818, the Spanish garrison of the fort exchanged cannon fire with an American battery for a few days. The U.S. force was again led by General Andrew Jackson. Eventually the Spanish surrendered the fort, leaving Pensacola in American hands.

When Florida was acquired from Spain in 1821, Pensacola was selected as a navy yard, and harbor fortifications were constructed to protect its deepwater bay. After 1829, Fort Pickens and Fort McRee were built to defend the pass to Pensacola Bay.

Fort Barrancas, expanded with brick between 1839–1844, is on the mainland. It was built to defend against both sailing ships entering the harbor and attack across land. The Advanced Redoubt was built north of the fort, and a trenchline connected them. This system protected the navy yard to the east from infantry attacks.

Fort Barrancas was designed by Joseph Gilbert Totten and was connected to the Spanish-built water-battery by an underground walkway tunnel. Major William Henry Chase supervised the construction, done mostly by slave labor.