The Colbert Raid

During the American Revolution, Arkansas Post belonged to the Spanish, who were allies of the American patriots. In 1783, British partisans led by James Logan Colbert raided the Spanish village and fort there in one of the last engagements of the war and the only one in Arkansas. The fort was defended by about 40 Spanish soldiers and a number of Quapaw Indians under Capt. Jacobo Dubreuil, while the raiders numbered about 52 British partisans, including Chickasaw Indians and blacks, under Colbert, who claimed to be an officer in the British Army. Before attacking the fort, Colbert and his men raided nearby farms and homes and took seven families hostage. After six hours of futile attack, Colbert sent a hostage, Doña de Villars, to demand surrender, but Captain Dubreuil refused. Under Dubreuil's orders, Sergeant Pastor and thirteen men opened the fort gate, gave the war whoop, and charged, forcing the raiders back. Colbert's men then fled downstream, taking the hostages with them.

Arkansas · United States