Capture of Pensacola

Within the War of the Quadruple Alliance, France launches a colonial operation against the Spanish town of Pensacola, key to the Gulf of Mexico. The operation is led by Bienville from Louisiana. Thanks to a combined land and naval attack, the French quickly take the town. The Spanish attempt a counterattack in August but are repulsed again.

France supported Spain's attempt to recover its former Italian possessions, but soon found itself allied against Spain. In America, French authorities in Louisiana took the local initiative to attack the Spanish to secure the Gulf coast. News of France's declaration of war on Spain reached Louisiana on 19 April 1719; Bienville received orders to take Pensacola from Fort Louis de la Mobile with about 800 embarked soldiers and 400 allied Native Americans.

Coordinated amphibious assault: French gunboats bombard defenses while troops land on the west beach. The Spanish garrison capitulates after brief resistance.

The capture of Pensacola strengthened France's strategic position in Louisiana. The town changed hands several times in 1719–1720 before being returned to Spain after the peace. This operation showed the growing importance of colonial theaters in European conflicts. The French occupied Pensacola until 1722, and did not finally withdraw their small garrison until 1726, under the Treaty of The Hague.