Battle of Bloody Mose 2024

On June 23, 2024, reenactors from Fort Mose Historical Society and other local militia will re-create a battle that shifted the tides of Florida's history. Visitors will witness how Governor Manuel de Montiano, the people of Garcia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose (Fort Mose), and the citizens of St. Augustine all became players in the international theater.

One early morning in June of 1740, Spanish and British forces clashed in St. Augustine when British General James Oglethorpe from Savannah launched an attack on the capital of La Florida. Other Spanish forts in the area had been captured, and Fort Mose and the Castillo de San Marcos were the last defenses of Saint Augustine. The British were already encamped at the fort and planned to overtake the Castillo, and Florida Governor Montiano struggled to hold out until reinforcements from Hanava arrived.

Governor Montiano knew that the British at Fort Mose were lax in their duties, so white Europeans, African-descended people, and indigenous Floridians converged to fight for Florida and St. Augustine. Time was of the essence — the stakes were high. When the smoke cleared, who would control St. Augustine?

Fort Mose Historic State Park opens at 8:00 a.m. Free shuttle service from 200 Sebastian View starts at 8:30 a.m. The Battle of Bloody Mose event starts at 10:00 a.m. with an opening ceremony. There will be two battle reenactments. The first battle reenactment will occur at 11:00 a.m. and the second at 1:00 p.m. The event will end with a closing ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Other activities throughout the day include a Women of Mose station, which will present the role of African-descended women in colonial Florida.

This event is weather-sensitive. Please monitor this site frequently to receive event updates.

Admission: The event and access to the park grounds are free. Donations and membership enrollment in Fort Mose Historical Society are greatly appreciated. Children under six are always free. There is a $2.00 fee to enter the Visitors Center.

When: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2024. The opening ceremony is at 10:00 a.m., and the two battle reenactments are at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The event ends with a closing ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Fort Mose Historic State Park is located just north of the historic district, at 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.

Parking Info: To attend this event, please park in the Health Department Parking Lot, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. A shuttle will take you to the event from this parking lot, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Tipping is appreciated.

Participants: The Fort Mose Historical Society appreciates the support and participation of its partners, including the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Garrison, and the reenactment groups who serve as "opposing forces."

Call (904) 823-2232 or visit here for more information.

History of the Battle of Bloody Mose: This battle was a part of the larger conflict between Spain and Great Britain, who were vying for control of La Florida. The British attempted to take the Castillo de San Marcos and occupied Fort Mose. An English militia, mostly farmers seeking their runaway slaves, occupied Fort Mose. Two days later, Mose's men returned with some Spaniards and native allies to reclaim their fort. They ambushed the sleeping intruders at 4:00 a.m. By the end of the attack, the fort was burned, and the English survivors returned home to tell about "Bloody Moosa." The rest of Oglethorpe's troops continued to assault St. Augustine from the harbor, but the Mose ambush turned the tide. The citizens of St. Augustine stood their ground from the Castillo de San Marcos.