Scotsman invades Puerto Rico

[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