Battle of Olustee

From Conservapedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Battle of Olustee
Ocean Pond
Began:

February 20, 1864

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Baker County, Florida

Theater:

Lower Seaboard Theater

Campaign:

Florida Expedition

Outcome:

Confederate victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Seymour's Expedtionary Force,
Department of the South

District of East Florida

Commanders

Truman Seymour
Brigadier General, USA

Joseph Finegan
Brigadier General, CSA

Strength

5,500

5,000

Casualties

1,860

946

  

In February 1864, the commander of the 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. Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour moved deep into the state, occupying, destroying, and liberating, meeting little resistance on February 20, he approached Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan’s 5,000 Confederates entrenched near Olustee. One infantry brigade pushed out to meet Seymour’s advance units. The Union forces attacked but were repulsed. The battle raged, and as Finegan committed the last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. Finegan did not exploit the retreat, allowing most of the fleeing Union forces to reach Jacksonville. (NPS summary)