P SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK FROM THE PAGES OF THE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979 EDITION OF THE INDEPENDENT POST Rebs Win Again V# 15,000 Watch Battle Of Olustee Renewed Union Troops Muster Their Forces Confederates Plan Battle Strategy is l" (Editor's note-All material was taken from the Florida Handbook, pages 307-309, and other Florida histories.) It was sunny and warm that February in 1864. A Federal ex- . peditionary force of 5,500 men was occupying Jacksonville for the fourth time during the war. Their primary objective was to break communications bet- ween East and West Florida. They also planned on recruiting Negros for Union regiments. Cotton, turpentine and timber had to be taken for Union supplies. Perhaps more importantly, the supply route from East and South Florida to the beleaguered Confederate forces farther north had to be cut. THE UNION TROOPS WERE MADE UP OF MEN from Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut under the command of General Truman A. Seymour. Moving west, Federal raiders fanned out from Jacksonville meeting little native resistance. On February 9 they took the rail junctions for Fernandina and Cedar Key as well as from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, They had seized $500,000 worth of supplies; By February 11 the calvary had penetrated to within three miles of Lake City. After a skirmish with Confederate troops, they withdrew to Sanderson. Meanwhile, hastily reinforced Confederates dug defensive works along a, line from Ocean Pond (OIustee) across the east- west railroad. Olustee is some 15 miles east of Lake City. Three Union infantry brigades, three batteries of artillery and one cavalry unit moved against the Confederate forces. Two-thirds of the southerners were from Georgia. They were comprised of one cavalry unit, two infantry brigades and three artillery batteries. General Joseph Finegan commanded the 5,200 men. The early sun on February 20 saw the Federals setting out in two columns from Sanderson. One advanced west down the sandy road, the other along the railroad tracks. As the columns neared Olustee, a regiment was sent ahead to throw out skir- mishers. A LITTLE BEFORE NOON, FINEGAN SENT his cavalry with supporting infantry east to skirmish with the Northern troops. He hoped to draw them into the prepared Confederate position. Finegan soon decided, however, that Seymour would be too cautious to attack an entrenched force. He sent three regiments commanded by General A.H, Colquitt to attack whatever force he met. By 12:30 p.m. the Confederate cavalry made contact with the advance Union elements. Moving steadily westward, the Federal forces crossed the road and railroad until they were about two miles east of Olustee. Colquitt was ready for them. Cannon and rifle fire crashed through the pine forest The Confederate line was made up of cavalry units flanking a central core oi infantry Sepmour placed his three artillery hEatleri;. ifr ire center ih flanks ui attacking ini.nir! While arrempting to-deploy tito positioanlin'nion infantry became confused Communicating broke down and the artillery could not be wheeled against the Confederates. Under fire from the Southerners, the batteries lost so many men and animals they were forced to abandon six of their guns. Rebel Cavalry Leader The guns were later captured by the advancing Confederates. LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE CONFEDERATES ran out of ammunition. Orderlies and staff officers were forced to ride to the rear for more. The Confederates slowly followed the retreating Union troops. It ilthmn a dozen miles of Jacksonvllle More than 4 I older Iert i killed, 1,o'r wounded and rl rnsl ag .Ip.compasiton, Confederata casualties were hght, wlth only 93 killed, 847 wounded and six missmg The Soutn failed to capitalue on their victory over the Union" troops. The remnants of Seymour's troops retreated to Jacksonville, where they remained for the duration of the war. Union Troops, Confederates SM t' ) L-gj u fiAr,gain A tr 1 5 Y a *i;i Meet Again After 115 Years' Conferates at Battle Of luster Conferates at Battle Of OIustee * ^V i" ''"' The Battle of Olustee was re-fought Sunday after a 115-year interlude of quiet. Drawing Civil War buffs and historians, the re- enactment was sponsored by the First Regiment Florida Volunteer Infantry (FRFVI) Co. D., of Gainesville. The original battle pitted equal forces of Confederate and Union troops against each. other at Ocean Pond, about 15 mjles east of Lake City, February 20, 1864. The Federal objective was to disrupt communications between East and West Florida, and to stop the flow of salt, bacon and beef to the embattled Confederate troops farther to the north. THE CONFEDERATESROUTED THE NORTH, forcing them to return to Jacksonville for the duration of the war. Recorded accounts of camp life and battle action were closely reviewed, making sure the "battle" followed history as closely as possible. Clothing and weapons were also carefully resear- ched by participants. Primitive camp sites were set up for the troops. Shelter halves or period tents were arranged as living quarters for them. Cooking was done in iron pots and pans over an open fire. The U.S. Forestry Service supplied the actors with venison from confiscated deer. Inis year's battle also featured two authentic Napoleon can- nons originally part of Stonewall Jackson's artillery They weighed about 3,000 pounds each and they were part of the Confederate arsenal. The pair arrived with a Winchester, Tennessee unit. A NEW DIMENSION WAS ADDED THIS YEAR to the three- year-old annual drama. An arts and crafts show featuring black powder and tin-type photographs were exhibited. Southern cooking was available for sampling. A rodeo and parade spiced up the "pre-war" atmosphere Friday and Saturday nights. A memorial service followed the battle. An estimated 15,000 persons attended the battle. p # r; .,.* Grey Soldiers Volley At Blue. Rebs Advance To The Rear 231278-F *FHome Furnishin gs MaterialisK .- ... ,. -.C abinets . ooring SW Deputy Jeff Davis Mon.-Sat. 8 A.M. Closed Sunday wwn 5 Months Same As Cash $ 300 Minimum Purchase WA.C. s Lane (Formerly Pineniount Rd.) Lake City. Florida -5:30 P.M.; (386) 752-3910 ;.morrells.com 1-800-597-3526 ..A, i. A 'A~ PAGE 10A FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ::.~W4sB;`r h-3~v"n~ *. r L, c ~' ":,: 'O ~~*`Y. " ~rSL: t " This page sponsored by: '