Battle of Olustee

Other Names: Ocean Pond

Location: Baker County, Florida

Campaign: Florida Expedition (1864)

Date: February 20, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour [US]; Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan [CS]

Forces Engaged: 5,500 [US]; 5,000 [CS]

Casualties and losses: 2,806 total (US 1,860; CS 946)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

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. The Union losses caused Northern authorities to question the necessity of further Union involvement in the militarily insignificant state of Florida.