Olustee Battlefield
(Right Panel)
Welcome to the Olustee Battlefield
Battlefield Map included with Park
rules and regulations
(Center Panel)
How Many Would Die ?
The morning of February 20, 1864,
dawned clear and cool. The Union army,
commanded by Brigadier General Truman Seymour,
set his force into motion at6:00 a.m. He and his
command of 5,500 men and 16 cannons left
Barber's Plantation (near present-day Macclenny)
and crossed the St. Mary's River heading west.
Confederate commander, Brigadier General Joseph
Finegan and his force of 12 cannons and about
5,000 men were entrenched at Olustee, awaiting
the Union arrival.
After learning of the Union advance from Barber's
Plantation, Finegan ordered cavalry and infantry
to advance and skirmish with the Union forces in
hopes of drawing them to the Confederate earthworks.
As the skirmishing intensified, Finegan ordered
General Colquitt forward to feel out the enemy
strength. Colquitt took immediate command at
the scene and drew additional regiments from
their earthworks at Olustee Station to form a battle
line several miles ahead.
Here the battle began - a stubborn fight at short
range in an open pine barren.
(Map and Chain of Command Picture included)
(Right Panel)
The Battle
February 20, 1864, started like any other day,
but it would become the day of the largest battle
fought on Florida soil.
Olustee was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
(Drawing included with battlefield component explanation)
Marker is on Battlefield Trail, on the left when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
