Scotsman invades Puerto Rico

[Galician]

No, I'm not referring to our own PiobBear, who was invited to play the bagpipes for last year's celebration of St. Patrick's Day there.

Every schoolchild in Puerto Rico is taught about the last major invasion of the island by the British in the late 18th century. Today is the anniversary of that attack. It seems that the ten thousand British troops and German mercenaries who attacked the city of Puerto Rico (now called San Juan) were led by a Scotsman, Sir Gen. Ralph Abercromby. It was the largest assault of New Spain by the British Empire ever attempted.

I haven't been able to determine if Mr. Fitch was among the forces.

[Jock Scot]

Good lord! I did not know that. Have you the date of this event and what was the result of the invasion?

[Galician]

Jock, the attack started April 17, 1797, and lasted until the Spanish forces--which were mostly criollos (native-born Spaniards) forced the British armada to retreat on April 30th. Perhaps as a consequence, no other major assault of New Spain was attempted. I had seen examples of the uniforms worn by the San Juanero forces on display at El Morro, the massive fortress built at the tip of the peninsula which guards the Bay of San Juan.

It was on this same campaign that Abercromby seized Trinidad and Tobago for the British Crown. One consequence for him was that, upon his return to Britain, he was named commander of the Royal Scots Greys.

P.S. Most of this information is courtesy of Wikipedia.

[macwilkin]

Here's a better source from the NPS site at El Morro Castle:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/saju/14.html

To further the topic, here is an interesting story about a kilted gentleman in "Porto Rico" told by none other that US President Theodore Roosevelt:

Mr. Grahame, whom of course you remember, is the intimate friend and ally of the leaders of the administration, that is of Governor Beekman Winthrop and of the Secretary of State, Mr. Regis Post. Grahame is a perfect trump and such a handsome, athletic fellow, and a real Sir Galahad. Any wrong-doing, and especially any cruelty makes him flame with fearless indignation. He perfectly delighted the Porto Ricans and also immensely puzzled them by coming in his Scotch kilt to a Government ball. Accordingly, at my special request, I had him wear his kilt at the state dinner and reception the night we were at the palace. You know he is a descendant of Montrose, and although born in Canada, his parents were Scotch and he was educated in Scotland. Do tell Mr. Bob Fergie about him and his kilts when you next write him.

-- Letter to Kermit Roosevelt, written "at sea" aboard the USS Louisiana, 23 November 1906.

Con respecto,

Todd

[Bugbear]

Maybe that's why the habanero peppers down there are called Scotch bonnets.

[Galician]

Ah, Ted, wouldn't that be in Cuba?

Todd, great quote, I wish we had pics of that occasion! Having worn a kilt there myself, I can affirm the puzzlement still caused Puerto Ricans by its use.

[Jock Scot]

GALICIAN.

I am obliged to you sir.

[Bugbear]

Don't know, Galician. I haven't pinned down the source of the name. Guess they are only related to the habanero peppers, though.

[macwilkin]

Ah, Ted, wouldn't that be in Cuba?

Todd, great quote, I wish we had pics of that occasion! Having worn a kilt there myself, I can affirm the puzzlement still caused Puerto Ricans by its use.

Agreed.

My wife is always rubbing it in that she has been to Old San Juan and El Morro, and I have not.

To further PR's "Celtic connection", Irishman (and "Wild Geese") Alejandro O'Reilly was responsible for modernizing the defenses of PR which led to the building of El Morro. He later served as governor of Cuba and then of Spanish Louisiana.

Regards,

Todd