I have some equipment, as I did reenact some time ago in the Brooksville raid. The battle ended with 2,807 casualties and the retreat of Union troops to Jacksonville until the war's end just 14 months later. After that, the train was pulled by both men and horses to Jacksonville for a total distance of 10 miles (16km). I've been getting my gear together over the past year and was hoping to do my first reenactment event this year then hoping by next year to have a camp site assembled so that my wife and children will be able to experience the solders life and also the evening camp life activities. Colored Troop (USCT) regiments . The site of Florida's largest Civil War battle, the Battle of Olustee. Seymours Union troops were successfuland moved deeper into the state. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023, Categories Historic Florida, Northeast Florida. This site was originally based on four booklets developed by theOlustee Battlefield Historic State Park Citizens Support Organization: However, much additional information was generously supplied by numerous individuals and organizations with a special interest in the Battle of Olustee. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park is a Florida State Park in the Osceola National Forest, near the town of Olustee. When more ammunition arrived, the attack continued. You can stroll the quiet, pine-shaded battlefield trail, picnic and learn about the battle at the visitor center. Scenes for Civil War movies, including the 1989 movie "Glory," have been filmed during the reenactments. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida. [2] Additionally, Florida became a refuge for an increasing number of Confederate deserters and pro-Union Floridians, which seemingly made it a more vulnerable target for raids and assaults by Union forces. However, during the annual reenactment visitor parking spaces are harder to come by, and you can't park inside the park entrance. (386) 362-6020 Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Visit ourfishing web page before you grab your gear. Colored Troops also took part in the battle, including the now famous 54th Massachusetts. More than 10,000 cavalry, infantry, and artillery troops fought a five-hour battle in a pine forest near the small town of Olustee. This park tells the story of Florida's largest Civil War battle, which took place Feb. 20, 1864. The Florida Civil War reenactment of the Battle of Olustee includes gun smoke, booming cannons and cavalry at Olustee Battlefield State Historic Park. The battlefield is partially protected as state park, and part of the national forest. In fact, some of the movie scenes were filmed at the Olustee reenactment. Find directions to Olustee, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more. All Civil War reenactments attract more Rebel soldiers than Union ones, Grzelak said. [6][7], On the morning of February 22, as the Union forces were still retreating to Jacksonville, the 54th Massachusetts was ordered to countermarch back to Ten-Mile Station. Then go east on U.S. 90 to the battlefield. From I-75, exit at U.S. 90 and travel east approximately 20 miles. Black powder is bought thru a variety of different sources. I do Brooksville and several others in Florida, and travel for others. The Battle of Olustee and the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park: a Brief History. http://battleofolustee.org/. Prior to the railroad, transporting these products was difficult and time consuming. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lake City. Brig. [11], Today, the battlefield is commemorated by the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, a part of the Florida State Park system. In 1912, when many living Civil War veterans still attended reunions, the battlefield became Floridas first state historic site and later one of Floridas first state parks. History of Olustee. Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic. More than 10,000 cavalry, infantry and artillery troops fought in the pine forest near Olustee. Year-round park activities include hiking, picnicking, and viewing interpretive displays. Finegan did not fully exploit the withdrawal, however, some of his men attempted to engage the rear element of Seymour's forces just before nightfall, and were repulsed by elements of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment and the 35th United States Colored Troops. Olustee is a city in Florida. The battle lasted four hours, and as Finegan committed the last of his reserves, Seymour ordered a withdrawal. Famous Colored Regiments among 10,000 troops who fought at Olustee. The reward for your short trip is a beautiful observation point overlooking Ocean Pond. I just subscribed to your on-line newsletter to make sure I don't miss any future newsletters Bonnie. General Quincy Gilmore, commander of the Union's Department of the South, dispatched Brig. Olustee Creek - Upper Santa Fe River By James Steele February 28, 2020 Santa Fe River Cypress It's been over 20 years since I've paddled on the Upper Santa Fe River, the stretch above Oleno State Park, and a first time paddle onto Olustee Creek. Union forces also lost six artillery pieces and 39 horses that were captured. This article about a location in Baker County, Florida is a stub. In 1912, when many living Civil War veterans still attended reunions, the battlefield became the state's first historic site. Ocean Pond, Florida, is a beautiful circular body of clear, fresh water in north/central Florida. Fish from either the shoreline or drop your boat into the water for deeper lake fishing. From I-10, exit at U.S. 90 and travel west 5.5 miles. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 52 min to complete. Over 700 acres of nature at its best, Fort Cooper State Park offers a spot for relaxing, hiking, studying nature and learning about history. Hi, I would like to know who to contact to join a reenactment regiment. Seymour began moving towardLake City, west of Jacksonville, to destroy a railroad bridge and secure northern Florida. Period music concerts and crafts, lectures, battlefield surgical practices and the lives of both white and black civilians during the war are portrayed by reenactors. Universally fun for kids (little and big), families, and friends. Site identification number Each site in the USGS data base has a unique 8- to 15-digit identification number. The City of Olustee is located in Baker County in the State of Florida. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Floridas largest Civil War battle is remembered at its battlefield. Neither side fought from behind fortifications, as the fighting took place in a pine forest (see map top of the map is approximately due West), and there were few large cleared area. The name "Olustee" is from the nearby Olustee Creek whose name derives from the Creek (Muscogee) language ue-lvste (/oy-lst-i/) meaning "black water". However, if you are a civilian or military reenactor, sutler or exhibitor, then separate parking information is enclosed with your registration and application packets, or in the General Information and Commander's Letter files, when they are posted online. For more than 100 years, Olustee has welcomed visitors to walk its grounds and remember one of our nations bloodiest conflicts. Love the Civil War Era. Its an imposing tower that looks like part of a castle. Waterski along the glassy lake or watch the white caps roll in on windy days. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. From I-75, exit at U.S. 90 and travel east approximately 20 miles. Please reach out to me. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. The battle ended with 2,807 casualties and the retreat of Union troops to Jacksonville until the war's end just 14 months later. connected to the .gov website. Yes, the Confederates may have won the Battle of Olustee, but America won the war., This is the 2023 schedule. So, a few years ago, when the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War asked to place a more prominent Union memorial within the park boundaries, people objected, partly because the United Daughters of the Confederacy originally donated the park land to Florida. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the largest Civil War battle in Florida. The State of Florida actually owns only 3.09 acres (12,500m2) of the Park, but manages another 688 acres (2.78km2) of the original battlefield under a Special Use Permit from the United States Forest Service. [6] The ratio of Union casualties to the number of troops involved made this the second bloodiest battle of the War for the Union, with 265 casualties per 1,000 troops. [9], The Union losses caused Northern authorities to question the necessity of further Union involvement in the militarily insignificant state of Florida. Enjoy this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Olustee, Florida. Share sensitive information only Real Estate Highlights in Olustee, FL Olustee, FL Housing Market Currently we cannot show market trends in Olustee, FL.. Generals Gillmore and Seymour, however, had difficulties reconciling their opposing views of both the political and military situation in Florida. United States government. 306156 [1] Olustee is an unincorporated community in Baker County, Florida, United States. Its over & time for south to suck it up. Authentic campsitesare open to the public. The Florida National Scenic Trailtravels through a portion of the park. Except for reenactment weekend, the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park is a peaceful rural site through which the Florida National Scenic Trail passes. [6] The Confederate Congress even passed a resolution to officially thank the rebel soldiers. The park is thirteen miles northwest of Live Oak. If you have not found a unit as of yet please contact me at jpbama1@gmail.com and I will try to assist you. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. Friday is designated "School Day" as thousands of students arrive to spend the day watching demonstrations and listening to living historians discuss various aspects of the war and as well as life in the United States during the 1860s. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Bring a picnic lunch, take a hike on our trails and learn about our famous history. During most of the year, free parking for visitors is available right inside the entrance. If you are traveling to the Olustee Battlefield during the reenactment weekend, Lake City traffic will be heavy due to the Olustee Festival. Confederate losses were lower: 93 killed, 847 wounded, and 6 missing, a total of 946 casualties in allbut still about 19 percent. Nature and history mingle at majestic Fort Clinch State Park, where visitors can explore miles of beaches and trails as well as a Civil War fort on beautiful Amelia Island. While less than 0.5-mile long, this barrier-free trail takes you back more than a century through the history of a sawmill and community that thrived along the Ocean Pond shores in the early 1900s. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Olustee,_Florida&oldid=1124807161, Unincorporated communities in Baker County, Florida, Unincorporated communities in the Jacksonville metropolitan area, First Coast Region, Florida geography stubs, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 30 November 2022, at 16:19. By the time the two sides began to skirmish near the Olustee railroad station, each side had about 5,000 troops. Open 8 AM to sunset daily. The Olustee Battle Festival is held annually in Lake City. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. However, Union Brigadier General Truman Seymour disobeyed orders and marched towards Tallahassee. Bldg F, Suite 210 Falling Creek Falls. Explore Florida's oldest statepark and one ofFlorida'slargest Civil War battles. In addition, the Florida Trail goes through the Historic Site, with the Olustee Trailhead close to the main entrance on U.S. 90. To this day, while Florida has a state park memorializing the Confederate victory at Olustee, thousands of people are expected there this weekend for the 45th annual battle reenactment the . A public hearing on the proposal was held in Lake City in 2013; it drew 100 people and things got raucous, including a chorus of Dixie. A decision on the monument has been in the hands of the Florida State Park system for several years. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. My family land is still in Williston, FL. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Reservation Rules. Suwannee River State Park is located off U.S. 90. The Union forces attacked but were repulsed. Lake City Columbia County Historical Museum, Lessons & Workshops, Paint & Pottery Studios. If there are any group that would be willing to have me dress and reenact with them for this event. Sign up to receive the latest information on the American Battlefield Trust's efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail in South Carolina. The Battle Re-enactment is held annually at the Olustee Battlefield State Park on the third weekend in February. Everybody wants to be the underdog, he explained. It took 42 hours to pull the train that distance. Thanks. Learn how your comment data is processed. From the start of the war, Florida primarily served as a supplier of essential provisions, particularly beef and salt, for the Confederacy. The Union forces that captured Jacksonville, Florida were ordered to remain in the Jacksonville area to secure it from Confederate forces. Cloud reflection in still water, Ocean Pond, Olustee, Florida Geologists don't seem to agree on the origin of Ocean Pond. [3], On January 13, 1864, President Lincoln wrote to Major General Quincy A. Gillmore, commander of the Union's Department of the South at Hilton Head, South Carolina, asking that he take steps to "reconstruct a loyal State government in Florida." What are you people afraid of? Map Information, National Forests in Florida Supervisor's Office Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the site of Floridas largest Civil War battle. Living history, authentic encampments and reenactors bring Florida history to the forefront during this event at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park. Three U.S. 5815 Battlefield Trail Road Olustee FL 32087 Get directions Contact Info 386-758-0400 Park Menu Experiences & Amenities Events History Download Park Map Welcome to Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park This park tells the story of Florida's largest Civil War battle, which took place Feb. 20, 1864. Or if coming from further south on I-75, check road maps so you can swing east or north through Lake Butler. PALESTINE LAKE NR OLUSTEE,FL. The Union losses caused Northern authorities to question the necessity of further Union involvement in the militarily insignificant state of Florida. On February 20th, as he advanced toward Lake City, he approached Brig. In February 1864, the commander of the Union Department of the South, Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, launched an expedition into Florida to secure Union enclaves, sever Rebel supply routes, and recruit black soldiers. We reenact as Washington Artillery and use a full scale 6pdr. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The public is invited to attend on Friday (no battle reenactment), and on Saturday and Sunday. Boating in the National Forests in Florida is regulated by the state of Florida. Camping USGS. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. I've been always interested in being a living historian. Union General Truman Seymour had landed troops at Jacksonville, aiming chiefly to disrupt Confederate food supply. Amenities include a one-mile (1.6km) hiking trail with interpretive displays, picnic tables and a small interpretive center about the battle. Copyright 2023 Olustee Battlefield Citizens Support Organization, Inc. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Citizens Support Organization, The Battle of Olustee and the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park: aBrief History, Men and Arms: Sketches of the Commanders and Units of the Olustee Campaign, The Confederate Roll of Honor: Southern Casualties at the Battle of Olustee, The Union Roll of Honor: Union Casualties at the Battle of Olustee. 5815 Battlefield Trail Road This park commemorates the site of Florida's largest Civil War battle, which took place February 20, 1864. Contact the Statewide Information Line: The Battle Re-enactment is held annually at the Olustee Battlefield State Park. The battle ended with 2,807 casualties and the retreat of Union troops to Jacksonville where they stayed until the wars end 14 months later. The Confederate Roll of Honor: Southern Casualties at the Battle of Olustee. Three U.S. Finegan did not exploit the retreat, allowing most of the fleeing Union forces to reach Jacksonville. The battle raged, and as Finegan committed the last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. It takes place at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park. I live now with my family down in Wesley Chapel, FL. From my home in Fort Lauderdale, I forget that I live in a state that was part of the Confederacy. The reenactment of the Battle of Olustee is co-sponsored by four organizations: the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Citizens Support Organization; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreation and Parks; the USDA Forest Service Osceola National Forest; and The Blue-Grey Army, Inc.[5][14], The lithograph at the top of the page was printed by the firm of Kurz and Allison in 1894. more. Two years later, the Florida Legislature appropriated $2,500.00 and established a commission to oversee construction of the monument. One Georgia newspaper referred to Union forces as walking "forty miles over the most barren land of the South, frightening the salamanders and the gophers, and getting a terrible thrashing". The battle reenactment, which includes a skirmish on Saturday and a scripted battle on Sunday, is dramatic and spectacular, according to Park Service Specialist Andrea Thomas. By the following month, Gillmore ordered an expedition into Florida to secure Union enclaves, sever Confederate supply routes, and recruit black soldiers. Both vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be heavy near the park entrance, so please use caution. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. James Permane began reading about the Civil War at a very young age, finding he was drawn to learn as much as he could about our nations greatest conflict. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. Seymour's forces made several raids into the northeast and north-central Florida. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: National Forests in Florida Near Olustee, Florida. A large selection of modern-day food is continuously available from Friday through Sunday at the park.[2]. The event is the largest Florida Civil War reenactment and one of the largest in the Southeast. Tallahassee, FL 32303 An official website of the The Battle of Olustee was the climax to a Union invasion of Florida that had started just a few weeks before. . The park has a very active Citizen Support Organization of volunteers who put on an annual reenactment. 46. 325 John Knox Road The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 125 Battlefield Acres in Virginia, Help Restore History at Gettysburg, Cold Harbor & More, Help Us Save Hallowed Ground in Tennessee and Kentucky, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Support the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, Stop the Largest Rezoning in Orange County History. Shopping Malls. [6][7], Following the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad, Seymour led his 5,500 men in the direction of Lake City. But Civil War monuments can still stir controversy around here. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 57,000 acres in 25 states! Neither the Blue-Grey Army, nor the reenactment, suggest The South will rise again, but just a history lesson that the battle was fought by men on both sides who stood for important causes to them, many having made the ultimate sacrifice. The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. 90. It was one of the first parks in the Florida State Park system. The weapons used during the Civil War used percussion caps. No shuttle buses will operate west of the battlefield. Credit for their contributions is given throughout the site. On Presidents' Day weekend each February (see Notes), thousands of reenactors from across the U.S. and even from overseas come to the Park to reenact the Battle of Olustee. Seymour's men quickly established a defensive line east of Lake City, Florida, which included Olustee, and anxiously awaited the Union army's next move. When the 54th Massachusetts arrived, the men attached ropes to the engine and cars and manually pulled the train approximately three miles to Camp Finegan, where horses were secured to help pull the train. As Colquitt's troops began arriving, Seymour, without Gillmore's knowledge, began a new drive across north Florida with the capture of Tallahassee as a possible objective. [8] Soldiers on both sides were veterans of the great battles in the eastern and western theaters of war, but many of them remarked in letters and diaries that they had never undergone such terrible fighting. General Quincy Gilmore, commander of the Unions Department of the South, dispatched Brig. Unincorporated community in Florida, United States. The picture depicts the famous infantry regiment, the 54th Massachusetts, which the 1989 movie "Glory" spotlighted. There are more British in Revolutionary war reenactments and more Nazis in WWII reenactments.. United States. Here are two nearby campgrounds: Stephen Foster Cultural Center State Park(22 miles). Bodies of Water. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Colored Troops took part in the battle, including the now famous 54th Massachusetts. The Lake City Mall. On Presidents' Day weekend each February (see Citations), an annual historical reenactment is conducted on the site of the battle. There are cavalry runs with horses, pyrotechnics, big guns it looks like a real battle.. [2] The town was historically known as Olustee Station and is the location of the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park and of the ranger station for the Osceola National Forest, which is headquartered there. Like so many Civil War battlefields, memorials dot the landscape at Olustee, Floridathe site of the largest battle fought in Florida that included multiple U.S. Kayaks, canoes and low-powered boats can enjoy the cypress that line the lake's perimeter. [4] Brigadier General Truman Seymour, in command of the expedition, landed troops at Jacksonville, in an area already seized by the Union in March 1862. Seymour, believing he was attacking Florida militia units, sent in his forces piecemeal. The living history weekend features a Civil War-era battle reenactment on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., as well as the reenactment of the Battle of Olustee on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.. The weekend of living history activities includes exhibits, parades, period music concerts as well as restaging the battle. Museum and restrooms open 9 AM to 5 PM. More than 10,000 cavalry, infantry and artillery troops fought a five-hour battle in a pine forest near Olustee. The UDC administered the Olustee Battlefield Memorial until 1949, when the Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials assumed responsibility. Olustee, FL City Data Olustee, FL is a city with great restaurants, attractions, history and people. The Battle of Olustee or Battle of Ocean Pond was fought in Baker County, Florida on February 20, 1864, during the American Civil War. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. The importance of these supplies escalated significantly after the fall of Vicksburg, as it severed the eastern part of the Confederacy from beef and supplies originating west of the Mississippi. At approximately 2:30 in the afternoon of February 20, the Union force approached General Finegan's 5,000 Confederates entrenched near Olustee Station. You may also enjoy fishing on the pier, picnicking under the hammock, or walking the Trampled Track Trail, which tells the story of Osceola's turpentining history. There are several monuments at Olustee Battlefield State Historic Park: The largest Confederate one was erected in 1912 before a crowd of 4,000 including many Confederate veterans. Her favorite activities, however, are the living history demonstrations on topics such as Civil War battlefield medical care and blacksmithing. Grzelak, who grew up in Miami and now lives in Orlando, is a Union reenactor; 30 years ago he formed his own unit, the Unions 17th Connecticut. In these pine flatwoods, Union and Confederate forces met at the Battle of Olustee, Florida's largest and bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The action occurred in a pine forest near present-day Lake City, between Jacksonville and Tallahassee. At Lake Butler, then turn west to state route 231, which goes north to the town of Olustee. On all three days visitors can tour the camps, view demonstrations, interact with living historians, shop at numerous sutler tents for authentic Civil War merchandise, and attend the battles reenacted on Saturday and Sunday only. The Olustee Battle Festival is held annually in Lake City. The park is open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day. [5][6], Union casualties were 203 killed, 1,152 wounded, and 506 missing, a total of 1,861 menabout 34 percent.

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