The Willing Expedition was a 1778 military expedition launched on behalf of the American Continental Congress by Captain James Willing during the American War of Independence. He advanced south along the Mississipi River into British West Florida. After initial success in which he occupied Natchez and plundered nearby plantations, Willing was eventually defeated by a force of West Floridan Loyalists and was later captured by the British.
Background edit
Willing was a former unsuccesful merchant who had been made a Naval Captain.[1]
Willing had already visited Baton Rouge in 1777 bringing an offer from the Continental Congress for West Florida to join the rebellion against the British crown and potentially become the fourteenth state. Although many West Floridans had some sympathy with the cause of the American independence, they were happy with their own situtation which included an elected assembly, and were far more concerned about the threatening Spanish presence in nearby New Orleans from which they required British protection.[2]
Willing reported back to Congress that West Florida was a threat to American independence and was authorised to take a force of troops down the Mississipi River and compel the settlers to take an oath of neutrality.[3] The principle backer of the scheme was Robert Morris, whose decision to endorse Willing's plan proved controversial.[4]
Raid edit
Willing assembled a force of fortune-hunters and set out. He received tacit co-operation from Bernado de Galvez the Spanish Governor of neighbouring Louisiana. Galvez did this because he believed that if Willing were to capture West Florida, it would then be handed over to Spain.[5]
Willing reached Fort Bute and captured a British vessel there. He then advanced southwards but many of the planters crossed the River and took shelter on the Spanish side. They were p [6]
Willing occupied Natchez on 19 February and announced that a 5,000 strong force under George Rogers Clark was following him down the river. He forced a comittee of local landowners to pledge they would not take up arms of abet the enemies of the United States. [7]
It was estimated he and his troops had looted up to $1,500,000.[8]
Aftermath edit
In response to Willing's raid the British despatched more troops to the area[9], part of a wider plan to redistibute troops to the Gulf of Mexico following the entry of France into the war.
References edit
Bibliography edit
- Meyes, Rose. A History of Baton Rouge 1699-1812.
- Bemis, Samuel Flagg. The Diplomacy of the American Revolution.
- Charles, Rappleye. Robert Morris: Financier of the American Revolution.