Home of Capt. J.J. Dickison
Confederate "Swamp Fox" J.J.
Dickison and his wife Mary
lived here after the war.
Confederate "Swamp Fox" J.J.
Dickison and his wife Mary
lived here after the war.
Bugg Spring, Florida
This remarkable spring is
reported to be 170-175 feet
deep and is used by the Navy
for sound research.
This remarkable spring is
reported to be 170-175 feet
deep and is used by the Navy
for sound research.
J.J. Dickison Home at Bugg Spring - Okahumpka, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Bugg Spring in Okahumpka, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Bugg Spring in Okahumpka, Florida
| Bugg Spring, Florida The beautiful spring is located on private property in the town of Okahumpka, Florida. |
Home of Florida's "Swamp Fox"
A magnificent spring on the northern edge of
the Lake County community of Okahumpka
holds a unique place in Florida history.
Bugg Spring is privately owned and is not
open to the public because it is leased by the
U.S. Navy which conducts research on sound
there. The spring, however, is quite
remarkable and the grounds surrounding it
hold great historical significance.
According to the St. Johns River Water
Management District, Bugg Spring is a
second magnitude spring that is 170-175
feet deep. Clear and cold, the water has
been a focal point of life in the area for many
years.
The early archaeologist Clarence B. Moore
investigated (and destroyed) Native American
mounds at Bugg Spring, producing evidence
that human beings have used the spring for
thousands of years. Although the exact site is
debated, the spring is one of the sites in the
vicinity believed to be a possible location of
the Seminole Indian town of Okahumpka.
This important town was the scene of much
planning during the days leading up to the
Second Seminole War and warriors from
here took part in Dade's Battle in nearby
Bushnell, Florida.
During the decades after the War Between
the States, Bugg Spring became the home of
the noted Confederate officer, J.J. Dickison.
Called the "Swamp Fox" of the Confederacy
because of his similarity in tactics to the
famed Southern officer of the American
Revolution, Francis Marion.
Dickison was a captain for most of the war,
although he often commanded battalion size
units. A terror to Union forces in East and
Central Florida, he struck when and where
attacks were least expected and achieved
solid results for the Confederate war effort.
Among his most dramatic hauls was the
Union steamboat Columbine that Dickison
ambushed with artillery on the St. Johns
River. Among the prisoners was Maj. Gen.
J.G. Foster.
the Lake County community of Okahumpka
holds a unique place in Florida history.
Bugg Spring is privately owned and is not
open to the public because it is leased by the
U.S. Navy which conducts research on sound
there. The spring, however, is quite
remarkable and the grounds surrounding it
hold great historical significance.
According to the St. Johns River Water
Management District, Bugg Spring is a
second magnitude spring that is 170-175
feet deep. Clear and cold, the water has
been a focal point of life in the area for many
years.
The early archaeologist Clarence B. Moore
investigated (and destroyed) Native American
mounds at Bugg Spring, producing evidence
that human beings have used the spring for
thousands of years. Although the exact site is
debated, the spring is one of the sites in the
vicinity believed to be a possible location of
the Seminole Indian town of Okahumpka.
This important town was the scene of much
planning during the days leading up to the
Second Seminole War and warriors from
here took part in Dade's Battle in nearby
Bushnell, Florida.
During the decades after the War Between
the States, Bugg Spring became the home of
the noted Confederate officer, J.J. Dickison.
Called the "Swamp Fox" of the Confederacy
because of his similarity in tactics to the
famed Southern officer of the American
Revolution, Francis Marion.
Dickison was a captain for most of the war,
although he often commanded battalion size
units. A terror to Union forces in East and
Central Florida, he struck when and where
attacks were least expected and achieved
solid results for the Confederate war effort.
Among his most dramatic hauls was the
Union steamboat Columbine that Dickison
ambushed with artillery on the St. Johns
River. Among the prisoners was Maj. Gen.
J.G. Foster.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Although he was promoted to colonel at the
end of the war, Dickison did not receive the
news until after he gave his parole. He later
served as a general in the state service.
During their years at Bugg Spring, Mary
Dickison wrote a sentimental biography of
her husband that she titled Dickison and His
Men. It is one of the best known books on the
role of Florida in the war and includes many
first hand observations of Dickison and the
men who served with him.
Bugg Spring is now on private property and is
not open to the public. Please respect the
rights of the owners, who were kind enough
to allow these photographs to be taken so
others could learn the history of the spring
and its grounds.
end of the war, Dickison did not receive the
news until after he gave his parole. He later
served as a general in the state service.
During their years at Bugg Spring, Mary
Dickison wrote a sentimental biography of
her husband that she titled Dickison and His
Men. It is one of the best known books on the
role of Florida in the war and includes many
first hand observations of Dickison and the
men who served with him.
Bugg Spring is now on private property and is
not open to the public. Please respect the
rights of the owners, who were kind enough
to allow these photographs to be taken so
others could learn the history of the spring
and its grounds.
Dickison and his Men
A desk in the cottage honors
Mary Dickison, author of
Dickison and His Men.
A desk in the cottage honors
Mary Dickison, author of
Dickison and His Men.
Seminole Village Site?
It is thought the key Seminole
village of Okahumpka may
have overlooked Bugg Spring.
It is thought the key Seminole
village of Okahumpka may
have overlooked Bugg Spring.
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Fort Cooper State Park
Brooksville Raid
Rainbow Springs State Park
Battle of Station Four
Historic Sites of Florida
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Fort Cooper State Park
Brooksville Raid
Rainbow Springs State Park
Battle of Station Four
Historic Sites of Florida
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
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