The 32nd re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee

The day started fine and bright. The temperature threatened to reach the 80’s. We drove to Olustee State Park in good time, only to find the road lined with parked cars for about a mile before we reached the park. We parked in the handicapped area and made our way through the park. On either side were the tents and encampments of companies of soldiers and on the main thoroughfare, Sutlers Row, there were many vendors selling civil war memorabilia, clothes and equipment. It was here that we found our old friends the Briar Pickers playing songs from the civil war. We made our way to the battle ground, a rough rectangle, about the size of 4 football pitches, was roped off, with stands along the Southern along side. We found a good place to sit, on about the half way line. I estimate that there were about 20,000 people turned up to see the event At either end artillery was manoeuvring, The Union, Blues, were assembling their cavalry at eh East End, s they were approaching rom Jacksonville on the East Coast. The Confederate, Grays, skirmishers were appearing from the west end, as they approached from their stronghold outside Lake City.
The battle itself consisted of a number of advances and skirmishes by both sides as they could see advantages in moving forward. The South send forward skirmishers, the North replied by sending cavalry. The South replied by forming a square, with bayonets fixed. The North countered by firing cannon at the concentration of troops. The square broke and retreated. The North advanced in line. The south concentrated fire on the flanks. The north was forced to retreat. The South ran short of ammunition and was forced to retire. The South then brought up reserves and more ammunition, from Lake City, and forced the North to retreat again. Both artilleries exhnged shells the whole time. The North, having lost men and also running low on ammunition was eventually forced to retire from the field of action. Following this encounter the Union never ventured out of Jacksonville until the end of the war.
After a deafening final volley we all went home