Monday, September 30, 2019

Fort Matanzas

Fort Matanzas was built by the Spanish in 1742 to guard Matanzas Inlet, the southern mouth of the Matanzas River, which could be used as a rear entrance to the city of St. Augustine. Such an approach avoided St. Augustine's primary defense system, centered at Castillo de San Marcos. In 1740, Gov. James Oglethorpe of Georgia used the inlet to blockade St. Augustine and launch a thirty-nine-day siege. St. Augustine endured the siege, but the episode convinced the Spanish that protecting the inlet was necessary to the security of the town. Under Gov. Manuel de Montiano's orders, construction of the fort began that year and was completed in 1742. Engineer Pedro Ruiz de Olano, who had worked on additions to the Castillo de San Marcos, designed the fortified observation tower. Convicts, slaves, and troops from Cuba were used as labor to erect the structure, which was sited on present-day Rattlesnake Island and had a commanding position over Matanzas Inlet.


Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The Baptist

"And you, come forth to receive your communion" preached Father Phobetor, pointing to the next in line in the congregation. The supplicant climbed the stairs to the dais and knelt in holy prayer. Father Phobetor gestured and a hooded figure approached the worshiper, dousing him in divine vapors and bringing visions of the Emperor.