Battle Name: |
Natural Bridge |
Other Names: |
None |
State: |
Florida |
Location: |
Leon County |
Campaign: |
Operations near St. Marks, Florida (1865) |
Dates: |
March 6, 1865 |
Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Gen. John Newton [US]; Maj. Gen. Sam Jones [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
2nd U.S. Colored Infantry and 99th U.S. Colored Infantry [US]; Kilcrease Artillery; Dunham’s
Battery; Abell’s Battery; 5th Florida Cavalry; 1st Florida Militia; Barwick’s Company Reserves; Hodges Company
Reserves; Company A, Milton Light Artillery; Companies A, B, and F, Reserves and reinforcements from Georgia
amounting to approx. 1,000 men [CS] |
Estimated Casualties: |
174 (US 148; CS 26) |
Description: |
Maj. Gen. John Newton had undertaken a joint force expedition to engage and destroy Confederate
troops that had attacked at Cedar Keys and Fort Myers and were allegedly encamped somewhere around St.
Marks. The Navy had trouble getting its ships up the St. Marks River. The Army force, however, had advanced
and, after finding one bridge destroyed, started before dawn on March 6 to attempt to cross the river at Natural
Bridge. The troops initially pushed Rebel forces back but not away from the bridge. Confederate forces, protected
by breastworks, guarded all of the approaches and the bridge itself. The action at Natural Bridge lasted most of the
day, but, unable to take the bridge, the Union troops retreated to the protection of the fleet. |
Results: |
Results: Confederate victory |