The weekly true Democrat., 1906-04-13
THE BATTLE OF
NATURAL BRIDGE.
FloSiAa's Mach Loved EE-GOvsrAOr
FAP. Fleming Writes Of II for
The Oeala Banner.

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 naval batteries. The
most formidable Of such attempts was
that under Gen. Seymour, which culmi-
mated in his signal defeat by Gen. Fine
gan. at Olustec, February, 1864. In
August, 1854, q Federal cavalry COM
mand, about $50 strong, reached Gaines:
Vile. aud was there met, defeated and
captured by Capt. J. J. Dickson with a
force of 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 command, which he reports about
1000 strong. / am not prepared to say
that such number was incorrect, but 1t
was estimated by the Confederates TO
be much larger. This expedition landed
near St. Marks light house the evening
of March 4th and early on the morning
cf the 9Th. It was met by Lieut.. Col.
George w. Scott, with five companies
of his cavalry. After some skirmishing
Col. Scott retired, and being unabl to
carry off the piece of artillery, its sights
were knocked off and it was abandoned
AID fell into the hands of the enemy.
Scott retired across the st. Marks river
at Newport, where he partially de-
stroyed the bridge, and from a breast
work on the west side kept up a fire
that prevented the enemy from repair
ing the bridge and crossing at that
point. During the afternOon--Sunday,
Sehe 5th-Scott was reinforced by com
pany of cadets of the West Florida
Seminary at Tallahassee, 65 strong, un-
der command of V. M. johnson, the
cadet captain being j. Wesley Wething-
ton.
Learning from scouts that the enemy
were following up the river, and, appre-
hending that he would attempt to cross
at the Natural Bridge" where the St.
Marks flows underground for some dis
tance, Scott proceeded with most Of his
cavalry up the river on the west side t
that point, reaching there about mid
night, and established picket outpost
on the bridge.
FASTENING FLORIDA TROOPS.
AS soon as information of the landing
of the enemy near st. Marks reachet
Mai. Gen. Sam Jones, commanding the
Department of Florida, with headquar
ters at Tallahassee, he issued orders Il
hasten forward all available troops. II
response thereto the First Regiment o.
Florida Reserves, Col. J. j. Daniel, anC
two companies of "home guards" con
sisting of old men and boys, from
Quincy and Monticello, and section o
the Kilcrease Artillery, under Lieut.
Patrick Houstoun, all under commant
of Col Daniel, were hurried to tn
front. The writer, at that time al
officer of the First Florida Cavalry, o
the Army of Tennessee, temporarily ol
sicS leave, Joined this force as volun
teer aide to Col. Daniel. These troop
debarked from the train on the st
Marks railroad at the "Oil Still, I" nea
midnight, and at once marched abou
seven miles eastward to the Natura
Bridge, arriving there at daylight tn
morning Of the 9Th, and at once forme
q line in an open country fronting tn
wood which covered the Natural Bridge
Before such formation was complete
the cavalry pickets at the front wer
driven in by the advance of the enemy
4 The Federals pushed forward in a Wig
orous attack, which was repulsed.
spirited fire was kept up by both side
for some time The artillery held
position near the center, supported b
the infantry on either side, and th
hanks were held by the cavalry. Co
Daniel was severely injured, bein
dashed against tree by his horse
which became unmanageable when III
friTg commenced.
He remained in command, hOweve
until the arrival of Brigadier-Gener;
Miller, about 9 a. m, who then assume
command. About the same time II
company of cadets and Dunham's ba
terry reached the scene Of action.
desultory firing was kept up during ii
morning, and soon after midday the eI
emy renewed his attack in force, ant
met by a heavy fire of artillery ar
small arms, was again repulsed. Mt
this a spirited fire was kept up on bot
sides Early in the afternoon the Col
federates were further reinforced
several companies of the Second Flo
ida Cavalry, dismounted. About 4 p. m
the enemy's fire having ceased, u
writer was placed in command OF a lii
Of skirmishers by Lieutenant Colon
Scott and ordered to move forward AZ
feel the enemy. This was done, pas
ing over the ground he had occupie
u where q number Of killed and son
y wounded had been left, Advancir
through the hammock and swamp
tha open on the other side, a substanti
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