Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Ottigny, Charles d'

OTTIGNY, Charles d', French soldier, b. in Cholet in 1524; d. in Florida in September, 1565. Entering the army in 1542, he served with credit in Italy, but later he became a Protestant and left the royal service. In 1562 he accompanied Jean Ribaut in his first voyage to Florida, and in 1564 he became lieutenant of Gov. Laudonnière, who had been commissioned by Admiral Coligny to found a French colony in Florida. They landed on 25 June, 1564, off the mouth of the river May, and, after an exploration in the interior by Ottigny, they began to build Fort Caroline. Ottigny afterward sailed up the river May (now St. John's river), for more than 100 miles, and opened intercourse with Outina, a chief, whom later he aided in a raid on the villages of Potanou. During the ensuing mutinies he several times saved Laudonnière's life. When the latter was removed by Jean Ribaut in August, 1565, Ottigny retained his office of deputy commander, and after the capture of Ribaut he refused to surrender to Pedro Menendez, but, taking refuge in the hills with a few followers, for several days waged a bloody war against the Spaniards. He was captured at last and slain, it is said, by Menendez. Laudonnière in his narrative acknowledges his indebtedness to Ottigny, whose fate was regretted by the French Protestants.