Jun.
11, 2023
HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Pascagoula in Jackson County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Round Island Affair - 1849
Inscription. Round Island is easily
seen three miles south of the Pascagoula
River entrance. In the summer of 1849 it
was the site of an event which drew
attendance by soldiers of fortune from all
over the South and required intervention
by the President of the United States to
bring under control.
Handbills had appeared calling for
volunteers who would receive money and Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 22, 2018
land in return for one year of service.
1. The Round Island Affair - 1849 Marker
Ostensibly this was to free Cuba from
Spanish rule, but for many it was an opportunity for booty. This was one of several attempts by
organizer Narciso Lopez, a Cuban, to obtain Cuban independence.
In response, 800 men gathered by August 7, 1849 on Round Island under a Col. White of
Louisiana to await supplies and orders. President Zachary Taylor, who as Major General had
been stationed in Pascagoula the year earlier, could not allow such unauthorized insurgency
of another sovereign territory. Federal warships were dispatched to blockade Round Island,
an event that made front page on national newspapers. The ships prevented arrival of rations,
supplies, and transportation to the men on the island. After 6 weeks of drinking whiskey
playing cards, dwindling rations, and being bit by mosquitoes, and one man
killed in a fight, the would-be mercenaries disbanded and went home.
Lopez was not so lucky. After three more attempts to invade and free Cuba
he was caught by Spanish authorities and publicly garroted in Havana. In
Click or scan to see
this page online history circles these episodes are referred to as the Cuban filibusters;
filibuster meaning an unauthorized take over, insurgency.
Erected by the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society and City of
Pascagoula.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic
Americans • Military • Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the
Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series list. A significant historical date for this
entry is August 7, 1849.
Location. 30° 20.597′ N, 88° 33.218′ W. Marker is in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in Jackson
County. Marker is at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Pascagoula Street, on the right
when traveling east on Beach Boulevard. Located along the Pascagoula Promenade. Touch for
map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Pascagoula Street, Pascagoula MS 39567,
United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
marker. Georgia P. Kinne House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cottage by the Sea
Tavern (about 400 feet away, measured in
a direct line); Randall's Tavern (about 600
feet away); William Faulkner, Pascagoula
Novelist (about 800 feet away); Running
the Blockade: SS Fanny (Fox) (approx. 0.2
miles away); R.A. Farnsworth Summer
Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clark
House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Capt. John
Grant (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a
list and map of all markers in Pascagoula.
Also see . . . Journal of Mississippi
History, Winter 2000 article on the Affair. Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 22, 2018
(pdf). The Taylor Administration versus 2. The Round Island Affair - 1849 Marker looking
Mississippi Sovereignty: The Round Island north on Pascagoula Street.
Expedition of 1849 (Submitted on August 27, 2018,
by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Public Domain (LOC)
3. The Great Naval Blockade of Round Island Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 22, 2018
Affair. 4. View from marker looking east along the
Retrieved from the Library of Congress, promenade.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661520/.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on
August 27, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 307
times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2018, by
Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
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