Battle of Olustee in Florida

Background. In early 1864, Union General Truman Seymour landed troops at Jacksonville, a city seized by the Union in March 1862. His primary objective was to disrupt the Confederate food supply. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard correctly guessed that Seymour's objective was Florida and believed the Union actions posed enough of a threat for him to detach reinforcements under Georgian Alfred H. Colquitt, who marched his brigade south to help defend against the invasion.

Engagement. As Colquitt's troops arrived, Seymour began a drive across northern Florida, possibly aiming for Tallahassee. Seymour mistakenly assumed he faced only Florida militia units, which he had previously routed, and committed his troops piecemeal. Both commanders reinforced their units during the afternoon, leading to a battle in open pine woods. The Confederates made a final attempt to engage the Union rear, but were repulsed by Black soldiers from the 54th Massachusetts and 35th USCT.

Outcome. The battle resulted in a significant Union defeat, described as one of the costliest for the Union during the war. Seymour's force returned defeated to Jacksonville, where Union troops retained control until the war ended. Seymour retained command of the District of Florida until March 28, 1864. The battlefield is now commemorated by the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.

Participants. Brigadier General Truman Seymour commanded the Union troops, having previously served as chief of staff in the Department of the South. Brigadier General Alfred H. Colquitt, a former U.S. officer in the Mexican-American War, marched his brigade south to defend against the Union invasion. Colquitt's brigade had previously been transferred to protect Charleston, South Carolina, in the summer of 1863.