The free Black militia: more than 450 men by 1801, fighting with Gálvez (Spanish Louisiana, 1779–1801)

SUMMARYThe free Black militia: more than 450 men by 1801, fighting with Gálvez (Spanish Louisiana, 1779–1801) [Connections: Louisiana (deep), Nov 5, 2026]

RECORD64 Parishes (Elizabeth Clark Neidenbach) says "The Spanish enlarged the free Black militia in New Orleans to include more than 450 members by 1801," and "During the American Revolution, free Black soldiers fought with Governor Bernardo de Gálvez against the British in Florida." Militiamen also hunted people who escaped slavery. Between 1771 and 1803, 1,921 people gained freedom in New Orleans through manumission and self-purchase (coartación). The same entry notes François Tiocou won freedom for militia service against Native Americans after the 1729 Natchez revolt

PATTERNSpain armed people "of color" and used them against both the British and maroons. In the French period it used them against Native nations. The colony set the people it labeled "of color" against the nations

LENS (WW9)Divide and rule: the colony armed people it called "of color" and sent them against the nations and the maroons

OPENMuster rolls of the pardo and moreno companies, with any "grifo" or "indio" entries

SOURCEFree People of Color in Colonial Louisiana (64 Parishes, Elizabeth Clark Neidenbach).