USA > Florida > Duval County > Jacksonville > History of early Jacksonville, Florida; being an authentic record of events from the earliest times to and including the civil war by Thomas Frederick Davis > Part 12
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Fortifications were erected to strengthen the town against attack, and soon the arrival of rein- forcements brought General Seymour's army up to 12,000 men, splendidly equipped in every depart- ment. Among these troops were at least six negro regiments.
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The Confederate forces on February 26th oc- cupied a position on McGirt's Creek at a point where the wagon road and the railroad crossed the creek, ten or twelve miles west of Jacksonville. They were now under the command of General W. M. Gardner, who, outranking General Finegan, took command after the battle of Olustee. Breast- works and stockades were erected at McGirt's Creek, the post being named Camp Milton. After- ward, when the Confederates abandoned these works, the Union officers spoke of them as mag- nificently constructed fortifications, beautiful in detail. March 6th, General J. Patton Anderson assumed command of the Confederate army near Jacksonville. At that time it numbered about 8,000 men, some of them poorly equipped.
On March 1, 1864, General Henry (U. S. A.), with 500 cavalry and 2 pieces of artillery, left Jack- sonville for the purpose of making a reconnais- sance in the direction of Camp Milton. The move- ment developed into quite a skirmish at Cedar Creek,* six miles west of Jacksonville, lasting from 10 a. m. until 3 p. m. The Union loss was 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 5 prisoners. The Confederates lost Captain Winston Stevens, killed ; other casual- ties not reported.
During March, Palatka was occupied by a strong force sent from Jacksonville, estimated by General Anderson at 1,500 men. St. Augustine and the
*There are several creeks near Jacksonville called Cedar Creek. The one here mentiond is a branch of McGirt's Creek.
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eastern side of the St. Johns were also in posses- sion of the Union army, together with the north side of the river below Jacksonville, with a battery at Yellow Bluff. There was constant and uninter- rupted communication between these posts and the base at Jacksonville until the navigation of the St. Johns River was made extremely hazardous by the Confederates, who, on the night of March 30, 1864, placed 12 torpedoes, each containing 70 pounds of small-grain powder, in the river channel near Mandarin Point.
At 4 a. m., April 1st, the U. S. transport Maple Leaf, returning to Jacksonville from Palatka with the camp equipment of three regiments, struck one of these torpedoes and sank in seven minutes. The Confederates then boarded her and burned her to the water's edge. On April 16th, the Hunter, another U. S. transport, returning from Picolata with quartermaster stores, struck a torpedo and sank immediately, near the wreck of the Maple Leaf. One man was drowned. Again, on May 9th, the U. S. armed transport Harriet A. Weed, was destroyed at the same place by one of these torpedoes, with the loss of five men. Thus within 40 days three vessels were destroyed at this point, with 9 torpedoes still in the river. Not far from Mandarin Point, at a place called Horse Landing, Lieutenant Letford, of Captain Dickison's command, captured and burned the U. S. steamer Columbine, killing 25 and capturing 7 commissioned officers, 9 seamen, and 47 enlisted
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negroes, himself sustaining no loss whatever.
On April 2, 1864, General Henry made another reconnaissance in the direction of Cedar Creek, and in the skirmishing that followed had 8 men wounded. The Confederate casualties were not given in the reports.
These forces, the greatest number mobilized in Florida during the war, remained facing each other until the middle of April, when heavy drafts were made on both the Federal and Confederate armies in this vicinity, for service in the armies of Sherman and Grant, Lee and Johnston. Be- ginning with the 8th of April and continuing there- after until the middle of May, transports loaded with Federal troops left Jacksonville almost daily. The Union forces in this vicinity were finally re- duced to about 2,500 or 3,000 men, largely negroes, the bulk of which occupied Jacksonville. After- ward, reinforcements came, but did not remain long. The Confederate troops began leaving April 14th, for assignment elsewhere, until only one regiment and two battalions of cavalry and three companies of artillery remained in East Florida. General Anderson then changed his headquarters to Lake City, leaving in front of Jacksonville the Second Florida Cavalry and four companies of the Fifth Battalion Florida Cavalry, to oppose the overwhelming force in the strongly fortified posi- tion at Jacksonville.
On the night of May 31-June 1, a force of 2,459 Federal troops left Jacksonville in two columns,
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to attack Camp Milton. The small Confederate detachment occupying the post at that time was surprised and driven from Cedar Creek and Camp Milton back upon Baldwin. A portion of the works at Camp Milton was burned or otherwise de- stroyed, but the next day the Confederates ad- vanced, skirmishing with the advance guard of the enemy, and reoccupied Camp Milton.
Overwhelmingly outnumbered, this remnant of Florida cavalry performed miracles. It met and defeated raiding parties, one of which was almost annihilated in the streets of Gainesville by Dickison and his men, aided by citizens of the town; attacked and captured outposts and pickets ; threatened the Federal communications on the St. Johns River, and was nearly successful in the attempt to obstruct the navigation of the river be- low Jacksonville, in the vicinity of Yellow Bluff, by placing torpedoes and mines in the channel. That these harassing tactics came near causing the evacuation of Jacksonville by the Federal army is indicated in the following communication from Federal headquarters at Hilton Head to General William Birney, commanding at Jacksonville, dated July 16, 1864, to-wit :
I am instructed by the major-general command- ing to inform you that the number of troops now in your command is considerably greater than that sec- tion of the department demands in a military point of view. If you cannot properly guard the St.
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Johns River you must prepare to make St. Augustine your base, keeping Jacksonville and Picolata as ad- vanced posts, if practicable. In case of immediate danger of the St. Johns River being rendered im- practicable for navigation by reason of the enemy gaining possession of points along the banks or by reason of their planting a great number of torpedoes in the river, the communication from Jacksonville to St. Augustine must be by ferry across the river, which you must provide in season, and by land across the country.
All of this was in face of the fact that Jackson- ville at that time was protected by inclosed works, redoubts and lunettes, connected by rifle pits and manned with eight batteries of the most improved artillery.
There was considerable skirmishing during the latter half of July in the neighborhood of Trout Creek, and near Baldwin and Camp Milton, which the Confederates again evacuated and reoccupied. By this time they had dwindled to 216 cavalry, 40 mounted infantry, and a battery of 4 guns. When a force comprising 3 negro regiments and 1 white regiment of infantry, 1 cavalry regiment, and 4 pieces of artillery was sent out from Jacksonville against Camp Milton, the remnant of Florida troops permanently evacuated that post; this was on July 26th, 1864. Insofar as armed opposition was concerned, this ended the war in the vicinity of Jacksonville, but occasional Federal raiding
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parties continued to be sent down the State until the surrender in the spring of 1865.
In the mean time, the question of Florida's re- turn to the Union was revived, although nothing ever came of it further than the calling of a con- vention by Unionists within the Union lines, to be held in Jacksonville in May, 1864, for the purpose of selecting delegates to the national convention soon to be held in Baltimore. Two delegates were appointed from St. Augustine, one from Fernan- dina, and three from Jacksonville. The Jackson- ville delegation was : John W. Price, Paran Moody, and John S. Sammis1. It will be remembered that a convention somewhat similar to this one was called during the first Federal occupation, and that these men were of the committee that issued the drastic "declaration of rights" at that time.
BIBLIOGRAPHY, CHAPTER XIV.
1 Memoirs of Florida, Fleming.
2 O. L. Keene, in Florida Times-Union, September 26, 1908.
3 Records of the Florida Historical Society.
4 So stated by old residents.
5 Book of Jacksonville, Brown.
6 War of the Rebellion-Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Vol. VI.
7 Reminiscences of an old citizen, Jacksonville Tri-Weekly Sun, January 27, 1876.
8 Unidentified newspaper clipping.
9 War of the Rebellion, etc., Series 1, Vol. XIV.
10 War of the Rebellion, etc., Series 1, Vol. XXXV.
11 Florida Gazetteer, 1871, J. M. Hawks.
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CHAPTER XV.
AFTER THE WAR .*
The news of General Lee's surrender quickly spread throughout the State. The different orga- nizations of Confederates were disbanded and the members that had enlisted from Jackson- ville and their families began to return. The rail- road from Baldwin to this city had been torn up and from that point most of the returning citizens had to walk, ladies as well as men.
To those returning directly after the restoration of peace, Jacksonville presented a melancholy sight, as the desolating effects of the war were ap- parent on every side. The old ruins of burned buildings; neglected yards in which the weeds grew waist high; broken-down fences; the dingy appearance of once neatly painted dwellings, all were depressing to those who sought their former homes. But worst of all, many of the people found their property confiscated and sold, and in some cases purchased by their former neighbors and false friends. A few of those who had thus lost their homes soon bought them back, but the most of them did not have the means to do so. Many of the best and largest houses were occupied by United States officers or troops, and when the
*A composite description from published accounts by old citizens.
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rightful owners applied for possession it was usually refused. So these people, who had enjoyed luxuries before the war, now set to work building rude cheap shelters for themselves and their fami- lies. Patiently they bore the taunts and sneers of their former slaves and servants. Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless a fact that the negro women were the most insulting. Galling as the situation was, the people bore the burden patiently and bravely; to a people less brave the changed conditions would have produced a state of crush- ing lassitude.
Most of the stores and warehouses on Bay Street were occupied for army purposes by United States troops. There was but one store in the town besides the suttlers' stores occupying a few rude shanties on the north side of Bay Street. One small saw mill furnished all the lumber, at very high prices. For the first few months not much was done to revive former conditions, but in the fall improvements and repairing commenced and gradually a few of the old merchants brought in goods and opened stores.
The city was under military government. A provost marshal and guard in command handled all cases, civil and criminal. This system did not last long, however, and was replaced by a munici- pal government, with a new charter, and a mayor and council elected. In 1867, the military govern- ment was resumed, and General John T. Sprague was put in command with headquarters at Jack-
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sonville. General Sprague was a gentleman with pleasant manners and of conservative views. Though invested with military power, he sought no opportunity to exercise it in a harsh or oppres- sive manner. He courteously received all callers and heard them patiently. General Sprague had been in Florida for several years thirty years be- fore, during the Seminole war; he knew our peo- ple and did all in his power to aid them.
Most of the old residents by this time had re- turned and resumed business. New mills and wharves were erected and the river began to look like former times, with vessels coming and going. A continuous row of low wooden buildings was put up on the north side of Bay Street running west from Julia, and was occupied as stores and shops. When better stores were built, "Rotten Row," as it came to be called, was vacated by these mer- chants, and it then degenerated into a place where vice and crime originated and was for many years a menace to the community.
In 1868, under the new reconstruction law, elec- tions were held, military rule ceased, and the city became civilian in all departments. Nearly every week prior to the election political meetings were held at the northwest corner of Laura and Forsyth, where a crowd, almost wholly negroes, assembled at the sound of fife and drum, and white and col- ored speakers spoke loudly and long. At the elec- tion the political managers made but one precinct and the voting continued until 10 o'clock at night.
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Election day was one of confusion and riot. Under the new charter, the city officials received salaries and then began an increase in the city's expenses and taxes.
The military occupation of Jacksonville was con- tinuous for four years after the close of the war. At first the troops were principally colored, hav- ing their posts and squads surrounding the town. Out near the old brick yard in West La Villa was an earth fort garrisoned by a negro guard. These negroes were very zealous and pompous in chal- lenging all comers that had to have passes, but their education was limited and an old Confederate pass or paper would after a wise scrutiny pass muster. There was a large garrison at the south- western edge of Brooklyn, and companies of sol- diers were also stationed in the city. Gradually, company after company of the colored troops was withdrawn, leaving principally white troops to patrol the city. The white soldiers were not only not disposed to annoy or irritate the Southern peo- ple, but in time seemed to have engendered a hatred for the "colored citizens" of the town. On the night of February 26, 1869,* the white troops divided into squads, under sergeants and corporals. They came into the town and made a determined war upon all negro men seen on the streets, and whenever one was seen, the com- mand, "Halt, ready, aim, fire" was given. Within
*Date furnished by the U. S. War Department.
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an hour the volleys could be heard all over the then small city. The frightened and fleeing negroes took refuge wherever possible.
The patrolling and shooting caused intense ex- citement. The troops seemed to enjoy it and said their cartridges were blanks and would not hurt the negroes. The streets during the remainder of the night and the next day were bare of "colored citizens". A negro was found dead on the side walk on West Bay Street, near the corner of Hogan, but the soldiers denied killing him. Sen- sational accounts were sent North and a great ado was made about the affair. Soon afterward, the military occupation of Jacksonville ceased for all time, the last of the United States troops being withdrawn April 6, 1869 .*
THE END.
*Date furnished by the U. S. War Department.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The following authorities have been consulted in the preparation of this work:
Abstracts of the Florida Abstract and Title Security Company
Acts of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, 1822 to 1840, except 1828 to 1831.
American State Papers, Duff Green, 1823.
Ancient, Colonial and Modern Florida, J. H. Welsh, 1895.
Annual of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, 1909.
A Winter in Florida, By An Invalid, 1839.
Bartram's "Travels", 1792.
Biography of Ossian B. Hart, 1901.
Book of Jacksonville, Paul Brown, 1895.
Diary of Judge F. Bethune, 1829-1833.
Fifty-two Years in Florida, John C. Ley, 1899.
Florida and the South, Brinton, 1869.
Florida Reports, Vols. V, VI, and XIV.
Florida Gazetteer, J. M. Hawks, 1871.
Florida Magazine, G. D. Ackerly, 1900-1903.
Florida News, published at Jacksonville, August 7, 1852.
Florida, Its Scenery, Climate and History, Sidney Lanier, 1876
Historical Contributions to Local Press by C. Drew, Sr.
Historical Sketch, Jacksonville City Directory, J. M. Hawks, 1870.
History and Antiquities of St. Augustine, G. R. Fairbanks, 1856.
History of Florida, G. R. Fairbanks, 1871.
History of Florida, W. S. Webb, 1885.
Letters and Papers of J. P. Belknap, 1839-1842.
Memoirs of Florida, F. P. Fleming, 1902.
National Encyclopaedia of American Biography.
New International Encyclopaedia.
Newspaper Files, Local:
Tri-Weekly Union, January to December, 1874; Tri- Weekly Sun, January to July, 1876; Sun and Press, June, 1877, to May, 1878; Daily Times, November, 1881, to February, 1883; Florida Times-Union; Florida Times-Union and Citizen; Evening Metro- polis.
Observations on the Floridas, Vignoles, 1823.
Origin, Progress, and Conclusion of the Seminole War, John T. Sprague, 1847.
Records of Dr. A. S. Baldwin.
Records in possession of Florida Historical Society.
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Records of the U. S. Weather Bureau.
Reminiscences of an old citizen, published in Jacksonville Tri-Weekly Sun, January 22 to February 1, 1876. Red Patriots, Charles H. Coe, 1898. Territory of Florida, Williams, 1837.
War of the Rebellion-Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Vols. VI, XIV, XXXV.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to those who assisted the author in one way or another, namely :
Ambler, D. G., Litchfield, Conn.
Ball, Willis M., Jacksonville, Fla.
Bostwick, W. M., Jacksonville, Fla.
Bostwick, Mrs. W. M., Jacksonville, Fla. Brown, M. A., Jacksonville, Fla.
Carter, W. R., Jacksonville, Fla. Davis, Horatio, Gainesville, Fla.
DeGrove, H. D., Jacksonville, Fla.
Dodge, Rev. W. H., Ocala, Fla.
Greeley, J. C., Jacksonville, Fla. Haile, Evans, Gainesville, Fla.
*Hartridge, Mrs. Susan A., Jacksonville, Fla. Hartridge, John E., Jacksonville, F'la. Hobson, Rev. W. A., Jacksonville, Fla.
*Keene, O. L., Jacksonville, Fla. L'Engle, John C., Jacksonville, Fla. Long, Miss Elizabeth V., Jacksonville, Fla.
Parramore, Ray W., Jacksonville, Fla.
Philips, Mrs. Ellen, South Jacksonville, Fla.
Powers, Mrs. M. C., Baltimore, Md. Rinehart, C. D., Jacksonville, Fla.
Scarlett, Mrs. Elizabeth A., Jacksonville, Fla. Shields, Rev. V. W., Jacksonville, Fla. Utley, G. B., Chicago, Ill.
Veale, Father J., Jacksonville, Fla.
Weed, Rt. Rev. Edwin G., Jacksonville, Fla.
"Wells, Mrs. Jennie, Jacksonville, Fla.
Wilson, Mrs. George C., Jacksonville, Fla.
*Now deceased.
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