The establishment of the second French site caused immediate reaction from Phillip the second of Spain. The Governor-General of Spanish North America Pedro Menendez de Aviles was ordered to sail from Havana (Hispanola) with 34 ships and 2646 men to eliminate the French presence and to establish control over the entire region. The French spotted the Spanish fleet and Admiral Jean Ribaut moved his forces to meet the Spanish. Laudonniere was left to defend Fort Caroline. A storm smashed the French Fleet and Menendez captured the fort. Menendez executed all but 16 of the 350 that surrendered, 200 fled to the wilderness .[1]

          Menendez pursued the survivors northward to a good port called Guale. A native who was allied to the Guale people hailed him, in Spanish. When he disembarked at Guale the main chief named Guale welcomed him. The Mica informed Menendez that the refugees had fled the area when the Spanish approached. The Spanish remained in Guale for 4 days. They instructed the natives in the Catholic Faith and gave the Guale presents.[2]  

          In April 1566 Menendez explored the coasts of Georgia and Carolina and established a presidio named San Felipe on what is now Parris Island. The garrison at San Felipe was 100 strong. In July 1566 while returning from San Felipe (Santa Elena) that the first Spanish settlement in Guale was established. The presidio had a garrison of 30 and was located on St. Catherine’s Island.[3]