The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-04-06
The Battle of Natural Bridge
CIV Francis P. Fleming.)

1t is somewhat remarkable that, not
withstanding repeated attempts, at no
time during the war between the
states did the United States forces
penetrate and hold any portion of
Florida beyond the range of their ma
val batteries The most formidable
of such attempts was that under Gen
eral Seymour, which eliminated in his
signal defeat by General Finegan at
oIustee, February 0, 1864. In August,
1864, a Federal cavalry command,
about $50 strong, reached Gainesville
and was there met, defeated and cap
tured by Capt j. j. Dickson with
force az about half that number.
The last attempt to invade the state
before the final surrender was made
during the early part of March, 1865,
by Brigadier General John Newton
with a command, which he reports
about 1000 strong. am not prepared
to say that such number was incor-
rect, but it was estimated by the Con-
federates to be much larger. This ex-
petition landed near st. Marks light
house the evening of March 4th and
early on morning of the 5th. 1t was met
by Lieutenant Colonel George w.
Scott. with five companies of his cav
airy battalion and a piece of artillery
After some skirmishing Colonel Scott
retired, and being unable to carry off
the piece OF artillery, its sights were
knocked off and it.was abandoned and
fell into the hands Of the enemy. Scott
retired across the ST. Marks river at
New Port, where he partially destroy
ed the bridge, and from a breastwork
on the west side kept up a fire that
prevented the enemy from repairing
the bridge and crossing at that point
During the afternoon-Sunday the 9Th
of cadets Of the West Florida Semin-
airy at Tallahassee, sixty-five strong,
under command of V. NJ. Johnson, the
cadet captain being j. Wesley Weth
ington.
Learning from scouts that the enemy
were following up the river, and APP
pretending that he would attempt to
cross at the Natural Bridge" where
the 81. Marks flows underground for
some distance, Scott proceeded with
rlost Of his cavalry up the river on
Inc west side to that point, reaching
there about midnight, and establish
ed a picket outpost on the bridge"
AS soon as Information of the land
ing of the enemy near st. Marks
reached Major General sam Jones
: commanding the Department of Flor
ida, with headquarters at Tallahassee.
he issued orders to hasten forward ali
available troops. In response thereto
the First Regiment of Florida Re
serves, Colonel j. j. Daniel, and two
companies OF Home Guards" consist
ing of old men and boys, from Quin-
cy and Monticello, and section of the
Kilcrease Artillery under Lieutenant
Patrick Houston, all under command
Of Colonel Daniel were hurried TO the
front. The writer, at that time an Of
ficer OF the First Florida cavalry. of
the Army Of Tennessee. temporarily on
sick leave, Joined this force as a vol
unteer aide to Colonel Daniel. These
troops debarked from the train on the
st. Marks railroad at the "Oil Still
near midnight, and at once marched
about seven miles eastward to the
Natural Bridge, arriving there at day
light the mornins OF the 9th, and at
once formed line in an open country
fronting the wood which covered the
natural bridge Before such formation
was completed the cavalry pickets at
the front were driven in by the ad-
vance of the enemy. The Federals
pushed forward in vigorous attack,
which was repulsed. A spirited fire
was kept up by both sides for some
time. The artillery held a position
near the center. supported by the in
fantry on either side, and the TANKS
were held by the cavalry. Colonel Dam
lei was severely injured, being dashed
against a tree by his horse, which be-
came unmanagable when the firing
commenced. He remained in COM
mand, however, until the arrival of
Brigadier General Miller. about a.
m, who then assumed command. About
the same time the company of cadets
and Dunham's battery reached the
scene of action. desultory fire was
kept up during the morning, and soon
after midday the enemy renewed his
attack in force. and met by a heavy
fire of artillery and small arms, was
again repulsed. After this a spirited
fire was kept up on both sides. Ear
ly in the afternoon the Confederates
were further reinforced by several