to the Spaniards. When news of the massacre at Fort Caroline reached France, an enraged and vengeful De Gourgues fitted out three warships and recruited more than 200 men. From this point he sailed in 1568 for Cuba and then Florida, aided by some Spanish deserters. His force readily entered into the scheme of attacking Fort San Mateo, as Fort Caroline had been renamed by the Spaniards. As his galleys passed the Spanish battery at the fort, they saluted his ships, mistaking them for a convoy of their own. De Gourgues returned the salute to continue the deception, then sailed further up the coast and anchored near what would later become the port of Fernandina. One of De Gourgues's men was sent ashore to arouse the Indians against the Spaniards. The Indians were delighted at the prospect of revenge, and their chief, Saturiwa, promised to "have all his warriors in three days ready for the warpath." This was done, and the combined forces moved on and overpowered the Spanish fort, which was speedily taken. Most in San Mateo were killed by the French and Native forces, and De Gourgues hanged captured Spaniards where Menéndez had slaughtered the Huguenots, reportedly under a sign that read "I do this not as to Spaniards, but as to Traitors, Robbers, and Murderers". He did not attempt to reestablish a French colony, however, and instead destroyed the fort and withdrew before Spanish forces could arrive from St. Augustine or Cuba. Menéndez was chagrined upon his return to Florida; however, he maintained order among his troops, and after fortifying St. Augustine as the headquarters of the Spanish colony, sailed home to use his influence in the royal court for their welfare. Before he could execute his plans he died of a fever in 1574. See also Spanish Florida References This article incorporates text from a publication The American Magazine, Volume 19, 1885, pp. 682-683, Fort Marion, at St. Augustine—Its History and Romance by M. Seymour, now in the public domain. The original text has been edited. This article incorporates text from a publication The Spanish Settlements Within the Present Limits of the United States: Florida 1562-1574, Woodbury Lowery, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1911, pp. 155–201, now in the public domain. The original text has been edited. Notes External links Les expéditions françaises en Floride (1562-1568) - in French by Hélène Lhoumeau Colonial United States (French) French forts