page_title: Joseph Finegan
section_title: Civil War
hierarchical_section_title: Joseph Finegan / Civil War
caption_attribution_description: English: Joseph Finnegan of the American Civil War
context_page_description: Joseph Finegan, sometimes Finnegan, was an Irish-born American businessman and brigadier general for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. From 1862 to 1864 he commanded Confederate forces operating in Middle and East Florida, ultimately leading the Confederate victory at the Battle of Olustee, the state's only major battle. He subsequently led the Florida Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia until near the end of the war.
  Before the war, Finegan was a politician, attorney, lumber mill operator, slave owner, and railroad builder. He returned to business after the war, and worked as a cotton broker.
context_section_description: In April 1862, Finegan assumed command of Middle and East Florida from Brigadier General James H. Trapier. Soon thereafter, he suffered some embarrassment surrounding the wreck of the blockade runner Kate at Mosquito Inlet (the modern Ponce de Leon Inlet).  Her cargo of rifles, ammunition, medical supplies, blankets, and shoes was plundered by civilians.  Attempts to recover these items took months before he issued a public appeal.  Eventually, most of the rifles were found, but the other supplies were never recovered. Also in 1862, recognizing the importance of Florida beef to the Confederate cause, Finegan gave cattle baron Jacob Summerlin permission to select thirty men from the state troops under his command to assist in rounding up herds to drive north.
  At this time, the principal Confederate military post in east Florida was dubbed "Camp Finegan" to honor the state's highest-ranking officer.  It was about seven miles (11 km) west of Jacksonville, south of the rail line near modern Marietta.
  In 1863, Finegan complained of the large quantity of rum making its way from the West Indies into Florida.  Smugglers were buying it in Cuba for a mere seventeen cents per gallon, only to sell it in the blockaded state for twenty-five dollars per gallon.  He urged Governor John Milton to confiscate the "vile article" and destroy it before it could impact army and civilian morals.
  In February 1864, General P.G.T. Beauregard began rushing reinforcements to Finegan after Confederate officials became aware of a build-up of Federal troops in the occupied city of Jacksonville.  As Florida was a vital supply route and source of beef to the other southern states, they could not allow it to fall completely into Union hands.
  On February 20, 1864, Finegan stopped a Federal advance from Jacksonville under General Truman Seymour that was intent upon capturing the state capitol at Tallahassee.  Their two armies clashed at the Battle of Olustee, where Finegan's men defeated the Union Army and forced them to flee back beyond the Saint Johns River.  Critics have faulted Finegan for failing to exploit his victory by pursuing his retreating enemy, contenting himself by salvaging their arms and ammunition from the battlefield.  But, his victory was one rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy year for the dying Confederacy.
  Some Finegan detractors believe he did little more to contribute to the Confederate victory at Olustee than to shuttle troops forward to General Alfred H. Colquitt of Georgia, whom they credit for thwarting the Federal advance. They point out that Finegan was quickly relieved of his command over the state troops, replaced by Major General James Patton Anderson. But this change in command was necessary as Finegan was ordered to lead the "Florida Brigade" in the Army of Northern Virginia, where he served effectively until near the end of the war.
  Col David Lang was the brigade's last commander before the surrender after the Battle of Appomattox Court House.
caption: The grave of Joseph Finegan in the Old City Cemetery of Jacksonville, Florida.
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