From the moment we walked across the drawbridge we knew we were entering a special place. Having visited many other forts, here we were greeted by a volunteer/ranger who was dressed in a period Spanish soldiers uniform and throughout our visit walked the battlements, answered questions, and posed for pictures.
Our first stop was at the guard room and the carcel/prison. Hot air seemed to pour out of the enclosed structure and it was a cool day in St Augustine! It must have been insufferable duirng the hot months. The guard quarters were decorated by graffiti from bored soldiers. Among other things they had carved images of ships on the coquina walls.
We read that the fort had never been taken and had resisted several English attempts in the eighteenth century. It had only changed hands as the result of treaties although it was taken over by Union Forces when the frigate Wabash entered the St Augustine Harbor, (the Confederates had abandoned the Fort and the City and thank goodness no Parrot Cannons had destroyed its walls).
Each of the rooms in the lower level had a story to tell. Several described the imprisonment of Kiowa, Seminole, Commanche, and Apache. Another room contained the powder room, the next the treasury/bank and we both imagined the jewels, gold, and silver that must have been stored there, (ok we are a bit obsessed with pretty rocks).
Every room contained great exhibits explaining its use. It was by far the best exhibits we have seen anyplace of the history contained in the stone walls.
Climbing up the stairs to the battlements we were greeted with rows of guns all still defending the forts sides.
The brass guns and mortars were beautifully engraved and forged with whale shaped handles and dragons mouths. The name of the maker and the Spanish town were also preserved, The brass cannons had been captured in Sante Cruz, during the Mexican War and we wondered if Lee and Grant had ever admired their beauty.
One corner of the fort held a signal tower and another a sentry position. Several of the guns had been recently manufactured, in Spain, and were still being used and fired during demonstrations. Each had the fire hole protected with a leather covering and all the new guns pointed toward the harbor, still promising protection from pirates and the hated English.
We laughed as school buses unloaded groups of students who later ran and jumped down into the dry and grassy moat, ( remembering how we had led many field trips and the importance of wearing them out so they would sleep on the bus during the return).
It was another beautiful day in a magical place. St Augustine has captured our hearts and is a gem among gems. We are often asked if we have found a place to stop, when we finished our travels. The truth is we have found many special places and St Augustine is one of those. Clear skies
No comments:
Post a Comment