The Battle of Olustee was the largest Civil War engagement fought in Florida, halting the Union advance toward Tallahassee.
Key Facts
- Date
- February 20, 1864
- Location
- Baker County, Florida
- Union Commander
- General Truman Seymour
- Confederate Commander
- General Alfred H. Colquitt
- Union Base of Operations
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Confederate Reinforcement Source
- Charleston
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Union General Truman Seymour landed troops at Jacksonville with the primary aim of disrupting Confederate food supplies. Encountering little initial resistance, he advanced toward Tallahassee against orders, underestimating the opposition as only a small Florida militia. Confederate forces in Charleston responded by dispatching reinforcements under General Alfred H. Colquitt to intercept the Union advance.
On February 20, 1864, Union and Confederate forces collided near Ocean Pond in Olustee, Baker County, Florida. The engagement, the largest battle of the Civil War fought in Florida, resulted in the Union forces being repulsed after fierce fighting.
Following the defeat, Union forces retreated to Jacksonville. Some troops remained garrisoned there to maintain a territorial presence, while others were transferred to more active theaters of the war where they were more urgently needed. The Confederate hold on Florida, including the capital Tallahassee, remained intact.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Truman Seymour.
Side B
1 belligerent
Alfred H. Colquitt.