On the 26th May 1780, a "British" force from Michilimackinac attacked St. Louis, this expedition was led by Captain Emanuel Hesse, a "prominent" trader, he had served in the 60th (Royal American) Regiment. The attacking force included "English and French partisans" and a large number of Indians: Winipigoes, Sioux, Ottawa, Ochipwa, Iowa, and a few of the Outgamies, Sacks, Mascoutins, Kicapous and Pottowatamies. The total number of attackers has been variously stated; Lieutenant Governor Patrick Sinclair reported that 750 men "Traders, Servants and Indians" left Michilimackinac on the 2nd May. The Spanish, however, estimated the strength of Hesse's party as "one thousand two hundred men" made up of "three hundred regular troops and nine hundred savages". Two other statements say; "Captain Hesse's raiding party may have included 140 English and French traders", and "The entire force was probably about 950."

Matchikuis (or "Machiquawish"), an Ottawa, was given "chief command" of the Indians, the rank of General and a scarlet coat with epaulets, Matchikuis had led the Ottawa's who captured Michilimackinac in 1763. Matchikuis was accompanied by Sergeant J. F. Phillips of the 8th Foot, Lieutenant Governor Sinclair made Sergeant Phillips an acting Lieutenant. According to Lieutenant Governor Sinclair, the Sioux were "undebauched, addicted to War, & Jealously attached to His Majesty's Interest, their leader was the "illustrious" chief Wabasha who could muster 200 men.

The Spanish commandant at "San Luis de Ylinoises" was Captain Fernando de Leyba of the Infantry Regiment of Louisiana, at the time of the attack, St. Louis was garrisoned by 29 "veteran soldiers" and 281 "countrymen". This number included reinforcements from Ste. Genevieve, made up of 12 regulars and 60 militiamen, both units came under the command of Lieutenant Francisco de Cartabona.

Sources

Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, by M. M. Boatner III, New York, 1966 pp.964.
The Myth of the "Imbecile Governor; Captain Fernando de Leyba and the Defense of St. Louis in 1780, edited by J. F. McDermott, published in "The Spanish in the Mississippi Valley 1762-1804, Urbana Ill., 1974, pp.339, 342, 347, n.41.
The Spirit of "Seventy-Six": The Story of the American Revolution as told by Participants, edited by H. S. Commager & R. B. Morris, see sections "Martin Navarro to Jose de Galvez, 18 August 1780", pp.1053, & "Patrick Sinclair to Frederick Haldimand, 17 February 1780", pp.1052.
A Company of Heroes: The American Frontier 1775-1783, by Dale Van Every, New York, 1963, pp.257.
Wisconsin in Three Centuries 1634-1905, by H. C. Campbell, New York 1906, Vol.2, pp.102.
The Life of George Rogers Clark, by J. A. James, Chicago 1928, pp.202, n.2, pp.203, n.2 & 3.
Seventy-Two Years; Recollections of Wisconsin, by Augustin Grignon, pub. Wisconsin State Historical Society, 3rd Annual Report 1857, pp.232.
Patrick Sinclair to Frederick Haldimand 15 February, 17 February & 29 May 1780, pub. Wisconsin State Historical Society, Collections, 1888, Vol. XI, pp.147-8 & 152.

More Spanish and British Units: American Revolution

1st Note: British at Pensacola
2nd Note: Spanish in Louisiana
3rd Note: Spanish at St. Louis
4th Note: British at Mobile
5th Note: Spanish at Mobile
6th Note: British Attack St. Louis
7th Note: Spanish Garrison of St. Louis
8th Note: Spanish "Regular" units in Louisiana and West Florida