Battle of Natural Bridge, FL (Mini-Documentary)

The Battle of Natural Bridge saved Tallahassee's status as the only Southern capital east of the Mississippi not captured during the Civil War. It was the last significant Confederate victory of the war. This mini-documentary tells the story in words, sounds and images.

[@artlife6210]

I live near Otter Creek and had no idea this was nearby, cool video!

[@peterallemano8098]

An interesting, informative presentation!

[@davidelmore1668]

Very good summary of the Battle of Natural Bridge. I've read from various books about this battle and hope to travel from Alabama to visit the actual site in Florida. For me, It's always nicer to view places where the Confederates were victorious!

[@Willysmb44]

Just be prepared for a field of scrub pine with a single monument and a river down the slope. There's really not much else there. The re-enactment video was from the Olustee event

[@unbreakable7633]

Nice job. I've seen Olustee and heard of Natural Bridge.

[@af4od02]

I know the video showed a battle reenactment, but do you think in the real battle the forces stood face to face on the field battling each other? No one took cover behind trees and natural obstacles? It would be interesting to read first hand accounts on the methods of engagement. Thanks for the video. I will visit the park.

[@josephwisniewski9825]

Bill I do civil war reenactments, and yes the tactics of the time were to line up and fire at each other. the Civil was was the last war the US fought using Napoleonic tactics. For a detailed use of tactics for the time read the Hardee's manual of arms.

[@charliemcelwain8874]

I was there did a lot of fishing there with my granddad and cousin

[@Willysmb44]

People still like to say that this battle saved Tallahassee, but that was the goal of the campaign that got crushed at Olustee the year before. The Union landing force wasn't going to Tallahassee when they got stopped at Natural Bridge. But to this day, people think of this as the battle that saved Tallahassee, when Olustee should be called that. Also, there's very little support that the cadets from West Florida Seminary did much more than support roles in the battle, but all accounts note they were there. I keep waiting for the eventuality that battle streamers will no longer be allowed for the colors of the few ROTC units that carry the heritage of Civil War battles, as all of them fought AGAINST the US Army. As a former ROTC cadet at FSU (class of '98, went in a an Army LT after being commissioned at the battlefield), I always found it funny that we had a battle streamer for fighting the US Army had a mascot of a Seminole tribe which wiped out the US Army a couple of times before the Civil War...

[@elixiti-u8u]

Even if the primary objective wasn't to capture/raze Tallahassee, the responding confederate force likely made that assumption when fighting back. It's reasonable. They were going for supply line disruption right? With Tallahassee being targeted before it makes sense most people would assume that. As for FSU ROTC having civil streamers, think it's just cause no one is making a big political fuss about it. Osceola being the mascot though is a sign of respect and it likely will never change. The Seminole tribe endorses it, and it pays homage to the tribes forced to leave Tallahassee area during Second Seminole War

[@dennissmith5807]

I was there in March.

[@chu8139]

Been there, wish it was bigger.

[@hokehinson5987]

How can 9 frontal assaults against dug in troops in a horse shoe shape with artillery implacements and a harried retro grade movement result in only 21 deaths on union troops. Balderdash. There's some really poor accounting going on even with only 3 deaths listed on confederate side and their frontal assault was stalled by union artillery. One of my relatives is listed as wounded in the thigh. He was on leave in alabama recovering from a previous wound. The word went out and he answered the call. With volley fire and use of artillery these casualty figures just don't make sense...more kids get hurt at scout camp then what is stated at this battle....

[@elixiti-u8u]

there's a newspaper article from Macon Telegraph dated 3/20/1865 that reported 400 killed, wounded, or prisoner. then says 109 were taken prisoner. so i'd say they injured/killed way more than 21

[@johnkemp5243]

Long live the Confederacy! God bless thee Confederacy!

[@rachaelcoxmba9361]

To read about the Battle of Natural Bridge here is the link mentioned in the video. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/nbindex.html