Alejandro O'Reilly
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Alejandro O'Reilly (1722-1794) (originally: Alexander O'Reilly), was the second Spanish governor of colonial Louisiana, and the first Spanish governor of the territory to exercise power.
Born in Ireland, he became a mercenary in the Spanish army and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1765, the Spanish Crown sent Field Marshal Alejandro O'Reilly to Puerto Rico, to form an organized militia. O'Reilly, known as the "father of the Puerto Rican militia," took it upon himself to instill a sense of military discipline in the local troops. The training which he oversaw was to bring fame and glory to the militia in future military engagements. He nicknamed the civilian militia the "Disciplined Militia."
He was appointed governor of colonial Louisiana in 1769. As a leader of the Spanish army, O'Reilly was also to conduct a reprisal against those responsible for the expulsion of Governor Antonio de Ulloa from the colony. Arriving in New Orleans, the colonial capital, in August 1769, O'Reilly took formal possession of Louisiana for Spain.
He is still remembered in New Orleans as "'Bloody' O'Reilly" for his October 1769 execution of six prominent Frenchmen who had led the uprising against Governor Antonio de Ulloa and Spanish control. O'Reilly went on to establish a Spanish colonial government to replace the French structures in place at the time of his arrival in Louisiana His mission thus accomplished, O'Reilly was relieved as governor in March 1770.
| Preceded by: Antonio de Ulloa |
Spanish Governor of Louisiana 1769 |
Succeeded by: Luis de Unzaga |
