De Soto Winter Encampment Site

Florida’s Spanish presence dates back to the rugged conquistadors who trail-blazed the European path through its swamps, forests, and rivers in the 16th century.

Hernando De Soto, who assisted in conquering the Incas in Peru, led an expedition to Florida ...

De Soto Winter Encampment Site

The site of the Hernando de Soto Winter Encampment is located at the B. Calvin Jones Center, home to the offices of the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Archaeological Research.

Archaeological investigations confirm that the Hernando de Soto ...

Winter Encampment

December 19, 1777 – June 19, 1778

The countryside was stripped of trees. All available wood went to build and heat the city of huts that crowded this ridge.

When the Continental Army wintered here, every acre was heavily used – for ...

The 1863-64 Winter Encampment

The Army of the Potomac at Brandy Station

War has many faces and the residents of Culpeper County saw them all. Brandy Station played an important role in the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863, though the Union and ...

The 1863-64 Winter Encampment

The Calm Before the Storm

The 1863-1864 winter encampment proved a busy time for the Army of the Potomac. "There was something fascinating about our winter city of 100,000 men," a staff officer recalled. "Many pleasant recollections cluster around the ...