The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-03-10
THE BATTLE OF
BRADDOCK'S FARM
Story of Only Battle of Civil
War Fought Near Crescent

City.
In the great war of the ZOOS, referred
to by the victorious Federals as the
WAR OF the Rebellion" and called by
the defeated Confederates as "The War
Between the States" the country herea.
bouts was not in the war zone. The
lighting in Florida was mostly caused by
the invasion of the country by Federal
troops who came up the river and to the
coast towns to forage for cattle, cotton
and such other supplies as the country
produced.
1t was TO prevent such raid that
brought on the battle of Braddock's
Farm, some two miles south of Crescent
City.
Of course there was no such town as
Crescent City in those days, there being
only scattered farms. Some of the fami.
lies then living here are still represented
Mr.. and Mrs. Jas Padgett ST., James
Long and few others, still living here
will remember the battle. Mrs. Pad
gett, who was then Braddock, remem-
berS the fight. 1t was in February 1865,
and Capt. Dickson, who commanded
the Confederate forces, was operating in
the county from Picolata TO St. Angus
tine, and Palatka. The story of the
SkirmiSh at Braddock' S farm is as follows:
Dickson now learned that Colonel
WilcoXSon, with the Seventeenth Con
neCticut and ten large Six.mule wagons,
had gone up the road in the direction of
VoluSia county. Dividing his command
he took 81 men with one lieutenant to
follow in pursuit of Colonel Wilcoxson,
leaving the remainder under LieutenantS
Halle, Haynes and McCardell with the
guard in charge of the prisoners, with
orders 10 move on by the way of Haw'S
creek and meet him at or near Brad
docks farm, about & miles east of the
river. He then rapidly proceeded with
his detachment. They had marched
but few miles when Lieutenant Nc
Eaddy, commanding the advance, met a
detachment of cavalry under Captain
Staples and captured man and 2 horses,
the others making their escape in the
swamp near by. Upon reaching the
main road, bright moonlight smiling
upon them, they continued to press for
ward until midnight, when a halt was
f1r bN,,r THAI
their march, every few miles meeting
deSerterS on their way to st. Augustine.
Gaining all the information desired from
them they were sent TO the rear as
prisoners. On the evening of the third
day they learned from two deSerterS who
were Just from WilcoxSon's headquar-
tiers at Braddock'S farmhouse, only 2
miles distant, that they were making
ready TO start back their wagons loaded
with cotton. Captain Dickson then ad-
vanced little nearer, halted, and ar
ranged his little command for deSper
ate encounter, as he we'll knew the
enemy outnumbered him two TO one,
their regiment fine and we'll discip-
lined one. Lieutenant McEaddy, the
only commissioned officer with him ex-
cept his surgeon, Dr. Williams, was di-
rccted TO keep his men in good line,
ready for the charge, the signal to be
given TO him from the head of the adj
vance by wave of his handkerchief.
Moving on slowly, his surgeon by his
side, he saw the enemy at some distance
moving down long hill with heavy
train of wagons He could see them
along in no particular order
by the side of the wagons, having no
advance guard, as they had just left their
headquarters. A branch being between
the enemy and our men, he ordered our
advance, consisting of 10 men under
Scrgt. William Cox, to dismount and
take position at the branch and await
orders. The enemy halted not over
$50 yards distant, and our advance under
the excitement fired into them without
orders They were then ordered to
make charge. The heart of any COM
mander would have thrilled with proud
delight at the splendid heroiSm they
displayed. They fought as only brave
men fight. Charging up to the long
line of wagons under heavy fire, they
pressed on until the enemy gave way
and fell back to the woods, pursued by
our intrepid Dragons. The captain de-
mandcd a surrender, ordering them to
throw down their arms. This was all
done before they had time to learn the
strength of our force. AS we passed
The wagons in the charge Captain Dicki-
son directed his surgeon, DR.. Williams,
TO remain with the wagons and stop our
advance as they came up. AT this juno
ture Lieutenant McEaddy, in making
ready for a charge, struck a pond,
around which he with few OF his COM
mand made the charge, Colonel Wilcox.
son with his staff and detachment OF
20 cavalry being at that moment READY
TO meet him. They charged down the
hill upon our men, coming up. near
where the prisoners had surrendered.
Our command then fired into the col
onel's escort which dashed off on the
road toward the wagons, where a lively
fight ensued, our surgeon and Sergeant
Cox with 10 men killing and capturing
every one, except Colonel WilcoxSon.
He fought fearlessly. After firing his
last SnOI ne llllCN ITO PlotCt 60
our soldiers, then drew his sword and
started down the road where three men
were guarding the prisoners, There
was but one way for him TO make his eS-
cape, between this guard and Captain
Dickson, who was on the watch, fear
inc the prisoners would revolt. Seeing
This officer approaching, not knowing
who he was, he rode on TO meet him,
and demanded a surrender. Driven TO
desperation, the Federal drew his sword
and made a furious charge at Dickson,
who fired, the shot taking effect in his
left side. As their horses were moving
rapidly they passed each other Dicki;
son quickly turned and soon gained
mon his adversary, whose glitlerlng
sword flashed defiance. Again he fired
With sure aim, the Saber strokes falling
fast One more shot and his antagonist
fell At this moment one OF our men
rode ND and the wounded man was LETT
in his care. The fight ended, Captain
Dickson on inquiry learned that Colo
neI Wilcoxson was not among the priS-
Il 80 NW ~