Capture of St. Lucia

Capture of St. Lucia
Part of the American Revolutionary War
View from the island of St. Lucia in December 1778 taken by the squadron and the troops of Medows standing.
Date 18–28 December 1778 Location St. Lucia, West Indies 13°52′54″N 60°58′06″W / 13.8817°N 60.9682°W / 13.8817; -60.9682 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
James Grant William Medows	Comte d'Estaing Marquis de Bouillé, Claude Anne Gui de Micoud
Strength
1,400 men	9,000 regulars and militia
Casualties and losses
25 killed and 255 wounded[1]	500 killed, 1,100 wounded

The Capture of St Lucia was the result of a campaign from 18–28 December 1778 by British land and naval forces to take over the island, which was a French colony. Britain's actions followed the capture of the British-controlled island of Dominica by French forces in a surprise invasion in September 1778. During the Battle of St. Lucia, the British fleet defeated a French fleet sent to reinforce the island. A few days later French troops were soundly defeated by British troops during the Battle of Morne de la Vigie. Realising that another British fleet would soon arrive with reinforcements, the French garrison surrendered. The remaining French troops were evacuated, and the French fleet returned to Martinique, another French colony. St. Lucia stayed in the hands of the British.