Olustee Battlefield
Posted by: 
IceCreamMan
N 30° 12.716 W 082° 23.330
17R E 366329 N 3343084
A Civil War Battlefield in the Osceola National Forest.
Waymark Code: WM2W9K
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 12/30/2007
Views: 37
The Union campaign that climaxed in the Battle of Olustee (or Ocean Pond) began in February 1864, when troops commanded by General Truman A. Seymour embarked at Hilton Head, S.C. Their immediate objective was a fourth occupation of Jacksonville. The force could then disrupt transportation links and deprive the confederacy of food supplies from central Florida; capture cotton, turpentine and timber; gain black recruits for the Union army; and induce Unionists in east Florida to organize a loyal state government. Seymour's expeditionary force landed at Jacksonville on February 7. The Union Force moved westward and met little opposition.
Meanwhile, during the month of January, movement of the Federal fleet had been noted by the Confederate forces, and they began to prepare for an offensive. The defense of Florida was placed in the hands of Brig. General Joseph Finegan and Brig. General Alfred Colquitt. Once it was apparent the Union forces were moving westward in Florida, Finegan began searching for the Confederate army's best defendable position.
Finegan found that position at Olustee. With a lake called Ocean Pond on his left, a nearly impassable swamp on his right and only a narrow passage between, he called for troops to help defend Florida. Colquitt answered that call, bringing veteran troops from Savannah, Georgia.
On February 20, the Union force of 5,500 men and 16 cannon marched westward from Macclenny. By this time, the Confederate forces almost equaled the Union opposing army in number. Finegan sent skirmishers to draw the Union forces to Olustee; they made contact that afternoon. The Confederate line was formed. The infantry in the center was supported by cavalry on each flank.
The battle was joined on the floor of a forest of virgin pines, free of underbrush. Men fought in the open forest. The battle raged till dark, when the Union forces began a hasty retreat.
Battle casualties amounted to 1,861 Union and 946 Confederate soldiers.
Union forces remained in Jacksonville until the end of the war and occupied several coastal towns and various places along the St. Johns River. They carried out frequent operations against Confederate forces defending east Florida but did not venture out in significant force again.
Name of Battle:
Battle of Olustee aka Battle of Ocean Pond
Name of War: Civil War
Entrance Fee: Not Listed
Parking: Not Listed
Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): Not listed
Date of Battle (End): Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.
In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.