Confederate Trenches
A fallen tree bridges a section
of the trench connecting two
of the cannon emplacements.
A fallen tree bridges a section
of the trench connecting two
of the cannon emplacements.
Cannon Emplacement
All six of the artillery positions
can still be seen along the
River Bluff Trail.
All six of the artillery positions
can still be seen along the
River Bluff Trail.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Torreya State Park Gun Battery
 | |  | |  | |  |
The Civil War at Torreya State Park
| Confederate Earthworks The preserved remains of a Civil War artillery battery can still be seen at Torreya State Park. |
Confederate Battery Site
When the Civil War began in 1861, the
Apalachicola River was a vital transportation
artery connecting the industrial center of
Columbus, Georgia and the plantations of
the Chattahoochee River Valley with the
important port city of Apalachicola, Florida.
As the Union blockade of the coast took
effect, the Confederates became concerned
that the river might also provide the Union
navy with an avenue for striking deep into the
heart of the South. Beginning in 1862,
following their evacuation of Apalachicola,
Southern troops built a series of batteries for
heavy artillery along the river.
During the early summer of 1863, one of
these batteries was constructed on Battery
Bluff at Torreya State Park. Consisting of
three paired emplacements, the battery
mounted six heavy cannon. The cannon
ranged in size from 32-pounders to
18-pounders.
To protect the guns from Union artillery fire,
the Confederates dug them into the crest of
the bluff, piling up earth around each of the
emplacements to provide additional
protection. Each pair of emplacements was
connected by a deep trench and rifle pit that
could be used by infantry to help defend the
cannon.
The battery was manned during part of the
war by the 28th Battalion, Georgia Artillery
(Bonaud's Battalion). The men were rushed
to East Florida in 1864 and fought at the
Battle of Olustee.
Apalachicola River was a vital transportation
artery connecting the industrial center of
Columbus, Georgia and the plantations of
the Chattahoochee River Valley with the
important port city of Apalachicola, Florida.
As the Union blockade of the coast took
effect, the Confederates became concerned
that the river might also provide the Union
navy with an avenue for striking deep into the
heart of the South. Beginning in 1862,
following their evacuation of Apalachicola,
Southern troops built a series of batteries for
heavy artillery along the river.
During the early summer of 1863, one of
these batteries was constructed on Battery
Bluff at Torreya State Park. Consisting of
three paired emplacements, the battery
mounted six heavy cannon. The cannon
ranged in size from 32-pounders to
18-pounders.
To protect the guns from Union artillery fire,
the Confederates dug them into the crest of
the bluff, piling up earth around each of the
emplacements to provide additional
protection. Each pair of emplacements was
connected by a deep trench and rifle pit that
could be used by infantry to help defend the
cannon.
The battery was manned during part of the
war by the 28th Battalion, Georgia Artillery
(Bonaud's Battalion). The men were rushed
to East Florida in 1864 and fought at the
Battle of Olustee.
| Copyright 2008 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Artillery Shell from Torreya
This hollow artillery shell is
one of two on display in the
gift shop at the Gregory
House. It was found in the
battery.
This hollow artillery shell is
one of two on display in the
gift shop at the Gregory
House. It was found in the
battery.
The forest gradually reclaimed the battery
site during the years following the Civil War,
but it was relocated during the building of
Torreya State Park.
The emplacements can be seen along the
River Bluff Trail, just down the slope from the
Gregory House. The earthworks of the battery
are preserved and the connecting trenches
are still very distinct. A small sign at the site
provides a brief history of the installation and
each of the six cannon locations are marked.
A similar emplacement was located just
downstream at Alum Bluff in the Apalachicola
Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, but most of it
has eroded away.
site during the years following the Civil War,
but it was relocated during the building of
Torreya State Park.
The emplacements can be seen along the
River Bluff Trail, just down the slope from the
Gregory House. The earthworks of the battery
are preserved and the connecting trenches
are still very distinct. A small sign at the site
provides a brief history of the installation and
each of the six cannon locations are marked.
A similar emplacement was located just
downstream at Alum Bluff in the Apalachicola
Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, but most of it
has eroded away.
