Battle of Natural Bridge

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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

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

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

  

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)