Moon Author's Review
Rio Nuevo Battle Site, just east of Harmony Hall, is the location of the decisive battle that left Jamaica in English hands. After three years of guerrilla warfare and harassment of the British, the last Spanish governor, Don Cristobal de Ysassi, finally received reinforcements from Cuba to help retake the island. The first set of troops arriving from Spain landed at Ocho Rios, where they were soon discovered by the British and quickly defeated. The second detail of 557 men was sent from Cuba and landed at the mouth of the Rio Nuevo. They too were soon discovered by British warships, and the battle that ensued left 300 Spanish soldiers dead for Britain's 50. Ysassi miraculously escaped and continued to wage guerilla attacks with a few remaining loyal bands of Maroons on his side until the treaty of Madrid was signed, officially conceding defeat and leaving Jamaica in British hands. Ysassi finally fled the island in handmade dugout canoes from Don Christopher's Point in Robin's Bay. A plaque mounted by the JNHT at the Rio Nuevo battle site reads: "The stockade that once stood here was captured on the 17th June 1658 by Colonel Edward D'oyley and the English forces under his command after a gallant defense by Don Cristobal de Ysassi the last Spanish governor of Jamaica."
