Actually, Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, was established in 1563/64 by French Huguenots (Protestants). Spanish conquistador Menendez came with a fleet of ships and a thousand men the next year, conquored the Huguenot settlement—and after the battle, when the French civilians refused to convert to Roman Catholicism...SLAUGHTERED THEM ALL. Then Menendez went back and established St. Augustine.
This was before the onset of the religious wars in Europe—where later tens of thousands were killed for their religion—and Menendez’ slaughter shocked even jaded Europeans.
Something around 500 French Protestants were executed by the founder of St. Augustine...
When growing up, my Favorite book was “The Flamingo Feather” by kirk monroe. It was written in 1854 and details the Ft Caroline colony and a boy that was abandoned when the Spanish destroyed the colony. He became Indian royalty.
Recently headed to Florida Keys my wife wanted to go out to Jacksonville Beach. I didn’t want to go but did. On the way out off I 95 she noticed Ft Caroline National Historical Park. To my astonishment it was the site of the plot of the Flamingo Feather. I had poured overmaps at various times for at least 40 years speculating where it was. My thought it was further north at the St Mayr’s river. I didn’t miss the park because it wasn’t there. It is recent, established after my various hunts for the site. It is sort of an NPS diversity effort...... include the French
Any way, there was a fantastic book there for sale. “The Three Voyages” by Rene Laudonniere, a Hugenot. It goes into great detail describing the three voyages the author made in 1562-1565 to Ft Caroline. It has details of the problems internal and external with the Indians and the Spanish. It has great detail and woodcuts of Indian life. It describes expeditions by the colonists to as far away as western NC and possibly east Tennessee.
The book is first hand recounting of the effort and pain required by those tremendously adventurous souls that colonized America. I strongly recommend it and of course The Flamingo Feather