The Battle of Olustee or Battle of Ocean Pond was fought near
Lake City, Florida, on
February 20,
1864, during the
American Civil War. It was the largest battle fought in
Florida during the war. 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
Confederate supply routes, and recruit black soldiers.
Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour moved deep into the state, occupying, destroying, and liberating, but meeting little resistance. On February 20, his 5,500 men 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.
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