American Civil War Battlefields

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park

Olustee, Florida

                               Photos and text courtesy of  LCWRT Member Charlie Moore

This small park commemorates the site of Florida’s largest Civil War battle, which took place February 20, 1864.  More than 10,000 cavalry, infantry and artillery troops fought a five-hour battle in a pine forest near Olustee. Olustee is located in northern Florida, halfway between Lake City and Jacksonville. Three Regiments of U.S. Colored Troops took part in the battle, including the 54^th Massachusetts which was subject of the movie “Glory”.  The battle ended with 2,897 casualties and the retreat of Union troops to Jacksonville where they remained until the end of the war.