Battle of Natural Bridge

Battle of Natural Bridge Began: March 6, 1865 Ended: Same day Location: Leon County, Florida Theater: Lower Seaboard Theater Campaign: Operations near St. Marks, Florida Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry 99th U.S. Colored Infantry Kilcrease Artillery; Dunham’s Battery; Abell’s Battery; 5th Florida Cavalry; 1st Florida Militia; Barwick’s Company Reserves; Hodges Company Reserves; Company A, Milton Light Artillery; Reserve Companies A, B, F, Reinforcements from Georgia (1,000 men est.) Commanders John Newton Major General, USA Samuel Jones Major General, CSA Strength Casualties 148 Killed: 21 Wounded: 89 Missing or captured: 38 26 Killed: 3 Wounded: 23

 Â

Maj. Gen. John Newton had undertaken a joint force expedition to engage and destroy Confederate troops that had attacked at Cedar Keys and Fort Myers and were allegedly encamped somewhere around St. Marks. The Navy had trouble getting its ships up the St. Marks River. The Army force, however, had advanced and, after finding one bridge destroyed, started before dawn on March 6 to attempt to cross the river at Natural Bridge. The troops initially pushed Rebel forces back but not away from the bridge. Confederate forces, protected by breastworks, guarded all of the approaches and the bridge itself. The action at Natural Bridge lasted most of the day, but, unable to take the bridge, the Union troops retreated to the protection of the fleet. (NPS summary)