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Article Title: Amelia Island Taken! Another account of the taking of Amelia Island by the Patriot troops.
Author:
Published in: Connecticut Mirror
Place of Publication: Hartford, CT
Publication Date: 4/13/1812
CHARLESTON, March 26, 1812.
AMELIA-ISLAND TAKEN ! We had the pleasure of conversing with a gentleman, who left
Amelia-Island on Sunday last, and who arrived this morning in the Stage from Savannah. He states,
that a day or two previous to the 16th inst. Amelia-Island was summoned to surrender by the
Revolutionists at St. Mary's who accompanied their summons with a declaration, that the United
States' troops stationed there, would assist them in taking possession of it, should they refuse. The
commandant of Amelia having requested and obtained a short time to return an answer, wrote
immediately to Major Laval and Commodore Campbell, to know whether it was their intention to
co-operate with them. The Major returned for answer, that having had no instructions from his
Government to that effect, he should not. In the mean time, Maj. Laval was superceded in the
command by Col. Smith. The Commodore did not answer until the next morning, when he stated,
that he had no instructions to render such assistance, but that he should act with them on his own
responsibility ; and, accordingly, on the 16th or 17th, proceeded to drop the Gun-Boats down the river.
Some signal guns having been fired by the Commodore, Amelia was taken possession of, without
opposition, on Wednesday the 18th, by the Spanish Revolutionists, conjointly with the United States'
troops. One company of Riflemen was sent from Colonel Smith's command. The Gentleman
mentioned above, on whose information we rely with confidence, entertains no doubt of their having
proceeded immediately to St. Augustine, where, we understand, there is some considerable force.
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