| All rights reserved. |
The Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida
 | |  | |  | |  |
The Battle of Natural Bridge:
Phase One
Phase One
General Newton quickly decided he could not force
his way across the St. Marks at Newport, so he
turned north up the east bank of the river and
headed for the Natural Bridge. This crossing, in
southern Leon County, was a place where the river
sank underground for a short distance before rising
back to the surface to continue its flow to the Gulf of
Mexico.
Confederate scouts observed this movement and
Lt. Col. Scott and the Southern cavalry were ordered
to move up the west bank opposite the Federals to
block the crossing. Additional reinforcements
coming down the railroad from Tallahassee were
also directed to the Natural Bridge. Although
Newton did not know it at the time, a race was on for
control of the crossing. The Confederates won.
By sunrise on the morning of March 6, 1865, Scott's
cavalry was in position at the Natural Bridge, along
with the main strength of the 1st Florida Infantry
Reserves, several militia ("home guard")
companies and a number of pieces of field artillery.
These troops took up positions along a curving
ridge overlooking the Natural Bridge and began to
throw up breastworks.
When the Federals arrived at the Natural Bridge
before dawn, they pushed across only to be greeted
by showers of artillery and musket fire. They brought
up their own artillery and a furious cannonade
erupted.
As it became clear that the climactic battle was
developing at Natural Bridge, the Confederates
pushed additional troops and artillery to the scene.
By midday they had at least six cannon on the
ground as opposed to only three for the Federals.
They also extended their lines to form a shallow
semi-circle connecting to the river both above and
below the crossing. This formation forced the Union
troops to advance into a fierce crossfire each time
they tried to advance on the Confederate
entrenchments.
The Union troops tried eight times to assault the
Confederate lines, but each time they were driven
back by severe fire and blocked by natural sinks
and sloughs. They suffered severe casualties in the
process.
his way across the St. Marks at Newport, so he
turned north up the east bank of the river and
headed for the Natural Bridge. This crossing, in
southern Leon County, was a place where the river
sank underground for a short distance before rising
back to the surface to continue its flow to the Gulf of
Mexico.
Confederate scouts observed this movement and
Lt. Col. Scott and the Southern cavalry were ordered
to move up the west bank opposite the Federals to
block the crossing. Additional reinforcements
coming down the railroad from Tallahassee were
also directed to the Natural Bridge. Although
Newton did not know it at the time, a race was on for
control of the crossing. The Confederates won.
By sunrise on the morning of March 6, 1865, Scott's
cavalry was in position at the Natural Bridge, along
with the main strength of the 1st Florida Infantry
Reserves, several militia ("home guard")
companies and a number of pieces of field artillery.
These troops took up positions along a curving
ridge overlooking the Natural Bridge and began to
throw up breastworks.
When the Federals arrived at the Natural Bridge
before dawn, they pushed across only to be greeted
by showers of artillery and musket fire. They brought
up their own artillery and a furious cannonade
erupted.
As it became clear that the climactic battle was
developing at Natural Bridge, the Confederates
pushed additional troops and artillery to the scene.
By midday they had at least six cannon on the
ground as opposed to only three for the Federals.
They also extended their lines to form a shallow
semi-circle connecting to the river both above and
below the crossing. This formation forced the Union
troops to advance into a fierce crossfire each time
they tried to advance on the Confederate
entrenchments.
The Union troops tried eight times to assault the
Confederate lines, but each time they were driven
back by severe fire and blocked by natural sinks
and sloughs. They suffered severe casualties in the
process.
| Interpretive Marker Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park |
| Confederate Breastworks Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park |
| Confederate Artillery Position Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park |
Related Sites:
| SPECIAL SALE |
The Battle of Natural
Bridge, Florida
by
Dale Cox
Bridge, Florida
by
Dale Cox
$15