BATTLE // June 16, 1779

Capture of Saint Vincent

Name: Capture of Saint Vincent
Start: 1779-06-16
End: 1779-06-16
Location: Capture of Saint Vincent

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Overview

The Capture of Saint Vincent was a French invasion that took place between 16 and 18 June 1779 during the American Revolutionary War. A French force commander named Charles-Marie de Trolong du Rumain landed on the island of Saint Vincent in the West Indies and quickly took over much of the British-controlled part of the island, assisted by local Black Caribs who held the northern part of the island.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The capture of Saint Vincent in June 1779 removed a British-held island in the West Indies during the wider Anglo-French War of 1778–1783, which ran concurrently with the American Revolutionary War. The French operation under Trolong du Rumain succeeded in taking control of much of the British-controlled portion of the island within days, demonstrating the vulnerability of British Caribbean possessions to coordinated assault. The involvement of the Black Caribs, who already held the northern part of the island, was a notable element of the operation, reflecting the degree to which local populations and colonial tensions factored into French strategic gains in the theater.

Tactics

A French force under Trolong du Rumain landed on Saint Vincent and moved quickly to seize the British-controlled part of the island. The operation was supported by the Black Caribs, who held the northern portion of the island, giving the French a foothold from which to advance. Beyond the landing and this coordination with local allies, the overview does not describe specific tactical dispositions or maneuvers.