This News Magazine, its articles, photos and all the
information contained herein are copyrighted
and may not be reproduced in any form without
written permission of the editor and its authors.
 

  Sunday's battle went off very well and the turn out from the public was great!  Even the Rebs took plenty of hits.  The special effects really were the best I have seen in years.  At the beginning of the battle, the Rebel square was shelled and they went down, breaking their lines and brining up their artillery.  History literally came to life!  Although we Yanks pounded the Johnnies good and even pressed them hard when they ran out of ammunition, the boys in Gray managed to crumble our flank an center which caused the entire line to give way, uncovering our artillery.  Even when they charged into the canister, they kept coming.  We barely escaped with our colors and lives and many are still running back to Baldwin and Jacksonville!

Battle Of Olustee 2010

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park

February 12 - 14, 2010

Photos and article by

Kathy Heitman "The Picture Lady"

 

        It was February.  The year was 1864.  The Union forces had occupied Jacksonville, Florida three times during the war.  The Union forces were hoping to occupy this integral city for a fourth time to keep the Confederacy from supplying their forces by disruption.  They wanted valuable turpentine and timber.  They were hoping to obtain black recruits for their Army.  They wanted Union sympathizers in east Florida to put a loyal state government together to help preserve the Union.

        The Confederates gained knowledge of the Union movements in the area, so they started their own movements to protect their interests.  General Joseph Finegan and Brigadier General Alfred Colquitt were put in charge of Florida's defense objective.  The Union forces continued marching westward through the state, so General Finegan began scouting for the best area at which to defend the State.

        Olustee was found by General Finegan to be the appropriate location.  There was a small lake, Ocean Pond, that was to his position's left.  With a hostile swamp on his right and a passage in-between the lake and the swamp that was so narrow as to be almost impassible, he called for enough troops to try to gain the upper hand.

        On February 20, a winter day in the state, 5,500 men from the Union left Macclenny and headed west.  General Finegan was able to muster enough Confederate troops to almost match the Union force numbers.  He sent skirmishers out to try to roust out the Union and head them toward Olustee.  On the afternoon of February 20, 1864, the opposing forces met and a fierce battle began in a pine forest where the Confederates had built earthworks to defend themselves.  The conflagration of more than 10,000 combined infantry, artillery and cavalry continued until dark with the Confederates dealing the Union forces a staggering blow with 1,861 casualties.  The now famous 54th Massachusetts Black Regiment and the 8th United States Colored Troops were among those who fought in this momentous battle.  The Union had no choice but to retreat quickly.  When counted, the Confederates suffered fewer casualties with the number at 946.  The furious battle lasted two and a half hours.

        Having suffered a humiliating defeat, the Union forces did not try to wage war at Olustee again.  Instead, they occupied Jacksonville, a few coastal towns and some areas along the St. Johns River.  They did, however have frequent head to head arguments with Confederate forces that were defending the eastern portion of Florida.  They did not, however gather to go out in force again.  The Confederate Army surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in April of 1865, thus ending the war.

        Today, there is a tall monument in the park near the site of the battle.  The United Daughters of the Confederacy decided the battle should be commemorated for future generations by erecting a monument.  They began raising money in 1897.  In 1899, the Florida Legislature enabled a commission to oversee the monument's construction.  It was completed in 1912.  In 1909, the acreage where the battle took place was acquired by the State of Florida, thereby becoming Florida's first State Park.  It is now a registered Historic Site that is managed by the Florida Park Service in cooperation with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.

        The Battlefield State Park was named the recipient of the 2001 Congressional Black Caucus Veteran's Braintrust Award in recognition of exemplary national and community service on behalf of African American veterans.  Its selection was based on the historical significance of the 1864 battle in which three African American units fought as part of the Union Army.  The award also recognized the Civil War reenactors who have paid tribute to those African American soldiers by participating in the annual reenactment of the Battle of Olustee.  The battlefield is honored to have received this distinction and appreciate the years of dedication to living history by volunteer reenactors (Courtesy of the Battle of Olustee brochure).

        This year was a grand one for the Florida Park Service.  They are celebrating their 75th Anniversary.  Florida's Park Service boasts 160 State Parks encompassing sandy white beaches, open prairies, semi-tropical forests, cultural sites, lakes, cool clear springs and beautiful rivers.

        Fast forward 146 years to 2010.  This reenactment was an interesting one to say the least.  Everyone is always advised to dress for all types of weather.  They weren't kidding.  Just south of the Georgia border, east of Tallahassee, Mother Nature doled out just about every type of scenario you can think of.  It snowed in South Georgia.  Flurries came down in Tallahassee and a winter storm warning heralded about five minutes of a wintry mix at the reenactment site.

        A cold rain began falling at 2:00 AM Friday morning.  By that evening, it turned into a wintry mix.  The skies cleared up overnight to reveal beautiful blue skies Saturday morning with bone chilling temperatures in the low 30's and a slight breeze.  By noon, greatcoats were shed with only scarves around necks.  Immediately following Colors, reenactors boarded the buses that would take them to the Lake City Festival Parade.  Afterwards, they reboarded the buses that brought them back to the battlefield.  They were able to take a brief respite and eat before they had to form up for the pre-battle skirmish.

        Saturday afternoon there was a small pre-battle skirmish in the pine woods across the field from the viewing stands.  Confederate infantry and cavalry forces harassed the Union troops then progressed into Saturday's main battle.  Capt. Clay Kearney's 2nd Florida Co. E. infantry took the field as skirmishers to rout out the Union cavalry.  They succeeded in drawing out the formidable Union cavalry and then retreated back from whence they came.  The Confederate cavalry took the field against the Union force.  Squads from both sides took the field, duked it out, and then retreated, thereby allowing the next squad from their side to outwit the opposing cavalrymen.

        After the cavalry left the field, the infantry entered the field of battle in a ferocious fight.  Artillery blew fire and smoke, rendering many soldiers wounded or dead from both sides.  An hour later there were no winners, no losers.  It was a draw.

        That night there was a Dress Ball under the new tent that was erected up in Sutler Row.  Starry skies and bitterly cold temperatures hosted the band and those who danced until they couldn't dance anymore.  At 10:00 PM it was over.

        Sunday morning Colors was a sight to see.  It was even colder.  Previously identifiable soldiers, artillerists and cavalrymen were bundled up to the point that only their eyes were visible.  It looked like a scene from the Arctic.  However, around noontime, most of the warmer clothing was tossed off in time for the 1:30 PM battle on the historic field.

        Before the battle, the announcer who was one of the Park Rangers lauded the Florida Park Service for seventy five successful years.  He wished them another seventy five plus to a thundering applause from the crowd that packed the bleachers that stood the entire length of the battlefield.  Some of the spectators at the crowd line were five deep.  Some of them gave the Park Service a standing ovation.  Immediately afterwards, the crowd was entertained by a period concert until the start of the battle.

        The battle began right at the stroke of 1:30 PM.  It was fast and furious.  It was like sitting at a ping pong or tennis match.  Heads in the stands swayed back and forth as they tried to watch everything and not miss a minute of the action.  The Union skirmishers took to the field first to rout the Confederate cavalry.  Like yesterday, the cavalry came out of the tall stands of pine trees then the Union cavalry came trotting on their steeds onto the field to charge the enemy.  There was a good showing of cavalry despite the weather and the muddy road earlier in the weekend.  After a short time, the Confederate forces marched onto the field to form a square formation with fixed bayonets called Guard Against Cavalry.  This is a very effective maneuver because the Union cavalry tried in vain to break the ranks of the brave infantrymen.  The infantry stood their ground until an explosion blew a large hole in the ground in the middle of the square.  Men, holding fast to their rifles, cartridge boxes and anything else that they didn't want left behind scattered in retreat to the safety toward the Confederate artillery line.  The cavalrymen saw the retreating soldiers and rode back into the stand of pine trees to allow the artillery battle to begin.  It was a lot of noise, fire and smoke.  Mounds of dirt, sand and pieces of carefully and safely placed parts of trees were blown high into the sky littering the ground with debris.  The cavalry came back out for a short time to shoot it out.  After that the opposing infantry forces faced off in one tough barrage of rifle fire, smoke and screaming.  The Union forces battled bravely but could not fend off the onslaught of the Confederate forces that marched steadily onward until they pushed the Union infantry back behind their own artillery pieces into the pine woods.  This battle took a little over an hour to complete.  Olustee 2010 was ended.

            The Florida Park Service and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service did a tremendous job, especially when they fixed the muddy road caused by Friday's deluge that ran from the main entrance, through the camping areas and out to the back gate.  From Friday until Sunday morning, the back entrance was completely impassible.  The State donated asphalt that was put down.  From now on the road will be passable thanks to the Florida Park Service and the Forest Service.  Many thanks and kudos.

        As in previous years the Battle of Olustee is sponsored by the Florida Park Service, Olustee Battlefield Citizen Support Organization and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.  They are dedicated, hardworking individuals who devote a good portion of their lives to see that everyone can enjoy this annual event.

        The Battle of Olustee is a happening that must be experienced to be appreciated.  It is on the order of a national event.  Over fifty sutlers, a lot of programs are presented under the ball tent, medical demonstrations and living historians doing various impressions for the public are just a few of the goings on during the weekend.  The first reenactment of the Battle of Olustee took place at the Gator Bowl in 1964 in Jacksonville, Florida in honor of the Centennial of the actual battle.  On February 20, 1977 the First Annual Battle of Olustee took place at the Battlefield State Historic Site.  Less than three hundred reenactors participated but the crowd packed in.  The battle did not occur on the battlefield as it does today.  It took place on the long, winding visitor trail loop instead.  Reenactors had to do battle by wading waist deep in some places in the stands of saw palmetto.  In the years that followed, the battle was relocated a few hundred yards to the north in a park-like area that had tall stands of pine trees without the sharp saw palmettos.  To make the reenactment more authentic, the battlefield was cut and shaped like period descriptions of how it really was.  Now it is an open field surrounded on three sides with tall pines and the ever present saw palmetto.  Each year the battle reenactment takes place on President's Day weekend.  Next year's event is scheduled for February 18 - 20, 2011.

        Olustee Battlefield State Park is located on Route 90 fifteen miles east of Lake City, fifty miles west of Jacksonville.  It is sponsored by the Olustee Citizens Support Organization, Florida State Parks, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service adn the Blue-Grey Army.  There are many activities that lead up to the busy weekend that are worth coming to see.  You can visit the website at www.floridastateparks.org/olustee or www.battleofolustee.org

        To see photos of the 2010 reenactment weekend, you can visit my website www.piclady.smugmug.com and click on the Civil War Reenacting heading.  When that opens, click on the 2010 Battle of Olustee galleries to view the photos.

        Until my next report, be well and stay safe.

 

    On Sunday, we again waded through the swampy woods the long way around to the northern woods.  We were joined by a fresh cavalry troop from Alabama and were sent out in a skirmish line to scan the woods.  The infantry

followed us through the muck and mire.  It's times like these we are all thankful for our hooves.  All was quiet until we came upon the field once more.  We noticed immediately that no opposing cavalry were in sight.  We must have ran those boys off for good!  But enemy skirmishers were spread out along the width of the field, just waiting for us.  We were given the order to hit the skirmishers a handful of times to push them back in order for out infantry to file onto the field.  We waited, ordered to hold the tree line with our dismounted troopers as the infantry formed up and the artillery battled it out.  Trees were flying everywhere, one infantryman had a flaming branch land on him, catching him ablaze.  Thank the good Lord the man was bundled in his great coat, for the extra wool gave his comrades additional time to put him out and he was left unmarred.  The waiting was taxing, reminding us of how little sleep we all had the previous night.  But when we were called to attention, our adrenaline began flowing.  The enemy infantry were forming a square formation and we were ordered to break it at all cost!  The 10th did our Lt. Col. proud and we knew it by the look on his face after each time we charged relentlessly on the enemy.

And The Wind Blew: Aiken, SC

Lt. Col. Bob Lovell

 

        The wind blew and smoke flew and I couldn't see for a minute or two!  Cannon and musket fire poured out of the hills of South Carolina and a foggy mist clouded the cold air mixed with the pungent and odorous aroma of gun smoke from the muskets of hundreds of soldiers standing their ground against hoards of Yankee intruders!  Twenty thousand spectators crowded the weekend to witness the reenactment of the Battle of Aiken in South Carolina.  And what an event it was!

        On Friday, perhaps four thousand school kids and their teachers came for sessions and demonstrations that lasted all day,  From early in the morning until late in the afternoon, they poured in to observe life as it was when the valiant 'Stars and Bars' graced the camps of our brave Confederate forefathers!  I've seen nothing like this in all my years of reenacting!

        Hardees's Corps was mostly represented by its Northern wing, the Southern Guard, led by Brig. General, "Fighting Jerry Parsons" and his tough as nails Colonel, Skippy Cornelius!  Of course, overall command was in the hands of Lt. Gen. Michael Hardy and his Chief of Staff Brig. General Bob Goodrich.  Serving on the General Staff from the Florida contingent was Lt. Col. Gomillion, Lt. Col. Lovell, Maj. Tom Sanders, Capt. Cody Gray and 2nd Lt. Tim Manke.  We were also honored to have the opportunity to again work with Col. Michael Hardy, Inspector General of Hardees' Corps.  All artillery was under the command of Col. David Foster who arrived in camp with his staff on Friday evening.  The Florida based Southern Volunteers were also represented by Capt. Bob Hackle and a company of infantry!

        There existed a tremendous spirit of comradeship between all the men present!  I would be remiss if I did not remark that General Parson's staff and officers were extremely friendly and cooperative throughout the event.  I also praise the very hard work and planning done by General Parsons, Wayne Jones, Col. Cornelius and his staff to make this a superlative weekend worth remembering.

        The battle on Saturday was tremendously exciting and started with General Hardy launching a vigorous attack on the Federals.  Then, at the very moment of victory, a very strange turn of events ensued.  From the woods, immediately behind the Confederate lines, emerged a predaceous Union officer accompanied by a trooper armed with a Henry repeating rifle.  Surprising the unarmed General Staff, the Federals were able to capture General Hardy and to abscond into the forest killing two staff members who tried valiantly to defend the General.  From that point on, chaos ensued and the Confederates were driven from the field in confusion!

        The officer leading the kidnapping was reported to be a Yankee, Indiana Red-leg by the name of Brig. General Goodrich or some name like that.  His standing in the Union Army is unclear at this moment.  However, the Yankee trooper was later identified from a Chicago newspaper as Pvt. James Standard from the 1st Wisconsin Infantry.  This whole affair was an unmitigated act of Yankee treachery!  Despite all the efforts of Cavalry and infantry, and to the further dismay and embarrassment of our troops, was the inability to recapture the General or to catch up with the perpetrators of this dastardly and cowardly deed!  So ended Saturday's battle.

        Sunday morning dawned clear and cold and the spirit of revenge on the Yankee invaders who were pillaging and looting the countryside and were responsible for the ignominious defeat of the day before!  By some miracle or providential act, General Hardy escaped his Yankee captors and rejoined the brigade with renewed determination to drive the Yankee devils from Southern soil.

        Again, after a thunderous artillery barrage directed by Col. David Foster, General Hardy pounced on the Cowardly Federals as a Lion might pursue a goat.  As the Blue bellies were being driven hard by our brave soldiers, another curious incident occurred on the battlefield!

        The Corps, Inspector General, Col. Michael Hardy, arrived on the field with a contingent of elite South Carolina Sharpshooters and arrested the infamous and treacherous Red-leg Yankee General who had now somehow brazenly disguised himself as a Confederate officer.  He was removed from the field and reportedly shot while trying to escape into the same woods in which he had perpetrated his grievous mischief the day before.  With the aid of a regiment of courageous Georgia regulars, the Yankees were sent streaming back to the protection of Sherman's main force.  With Aiken and the nearby communities freed of Northern tyranny, hostilities around this area ended.

        As the Florida, Virginia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee soldiers departed, there were many tearful farewells.  General Hardy and staff left with tremendous admiration and respect for General Parsons and his great Brigade!  His organization was terrific and his planning superb making this one of the most outstanding events I have ever attended.  In the end, even the treacherous General Goodrich was forgiven for his depredations with friendships renewed and a new closer sense of comradeship!  As we left on Sunday evening, the wind blew and the cool air of South Carolina reminded us all of what a fantastic country we have as Americans, one and all!

 

                        Lt. Col. Bob Lovell

 

Several Utube videos of the Aiken battle can be seen at:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdJL2md7X1Q&feature=related

 

Items For Sale

And Wanted

 

For Sale.  Reproduction 1853 Enfield Musket built by Parker-Hale Birmingham, England.  32 years old, never fired, still in original box.  Light rust on two barrel bands, one small scratch on stock.  $375.00  Naples FL.  Contact chbass1@embarqmail.com

For Sale (4 items):  Officers sword belt.  45" waist - $50.  NCO Sword with scabbard and shoulder strap - $90.  Pistol holsters (2) for Colt or Remington - $20 each.  Contact John Martellini at GUMBY1048@aol.com

 

Wanted.  Officer's wall tent.  If you would like to sell your wall tent, contact Kelly at savannahlee66@yahoo.com

 

Wanted.  Tent fly.  In good condition.  Contact Kurt Hilberth at kurt@hilberthlaw.com

 

For Sale.  Cargo trailer suitable to haul an artillery piece (enclosed car carrier).  Overall length is 24 ft. inside length is 20 ft. 102 inch wide.  Large side door.  Empty weight is 3,175 - total tow weight is 7,000 lbs.  Double axel.  Only has 1,100 miles on it.  Completely finished inside with metal non-slip floor.  Back gate drops down.  Inside fluorescent lights, outside flood lights.  Finished upper and lower cabinets with workbench inside.  $5,500 firm.  Contact Camille Barr at cbis7t@yahoo.com

 

For Sale.  Period Correct Wood Items.  Cpl. Hamilton McElroy (25th Ohio Volunteers, Co. E.) has started a small company specializing in wood camp furniture called McElroy's Woodworking.  His inventory includes common camp things like chairs, chests, boxes shelves and more including lamps, lavatory, benches and tables.  Painting and stains are not included in the prices but you can have him do that to if you like.  You can visit Ham's website at  http://www.geocities.com:80/irishham97/furniture/ or you can email Hamilton at irishham97@yahoo.com

 

 

 

For Sale.  Original Colt .31 cal. percussion "pocket revolver" #61077.  Photo at left is an example of the type and not a photo of the actual pistol that is for sale.  Fully operational.  Above average condition.  All numbers match on all parts.  Colt grips good.  Blue Book value; 80% - $2250, 70% - 1500, was appraised at $1600.  Will negotiate.  Contact Janet at jdlpga@embarqmail.com

 

For Sale.  New large 18 X 30 feet (set up only one time).  Includes vents for heater, curtains with roll up screens and vent in top to let the heat out.  Could be used as sutlers tent, a hospital tent, or just a general purpose tent.  Poles and ropes not included.  Bargain priced at $450.00.  Contact John Green at info@brigadesutler.com

 

For Sale.  Cavalry horse.  Registered Tenn. Walker.  19 years old.  Has been a reenacting cavalry horse for about 10 years so he knows how it's done.  15.2 tall.  Contact Ralph VanDyke at shellev@msn.com

 

For Sale.  Confederate POW MIA flag.  The flag is a 3'X5' polyester D100 with brass grommets.  A portion of the proceeds go to support SCV camp 2086 the Dixie Defenders in Cross City, FL.  For more information and to order a flag, go to their website at www.confederatepowflag.com or www.rebelflag.com

 

For Sale.  Window stickers, signs, vehicle lettering, graphics, magnetic signs, banners of all sizes and more.  Will ship anywhere.  Contact Robyn Banks (artillery) at southerncanoneer@aol.com

 

Upcoming Events

 

For a complete listing of all Civil War reenactments, living history events, and monthly meetings in Florida, please see the 2009-2010 Event Schedule at http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/EventRoster.htm or go to this magazine's home page and click on the Event Schedule button.

This News Magazine, its articles, photos and all the
information contained herein are copyrighted
and may not be reproduced in any form without
written permission of the editor and its authors.

Home / Back Issue Contents / Contact the Editor

Designed by Dixie Myst Designs copyright ©2010