The drama of Battle of Gainesville relived
Published: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 8:03 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 8:03 p.m.
The significance of the Battle of Gainesville, which took place 150 years ago today, differs depending on which historian you talk to, according to Keith W. Kohl, living historian and author of the book "Florida's Civil War Years."
"To many historians, this was just a sideshow in the big picture of the whole war," he said. "But … it emphasized the more significant role the state of Florida was playing at (the) time."
Up until early 1864, battles and skirmishes in Florida were smaller and more scattered. But when Union forces captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, cutting off the Mississippi River supply route from three Confederate states, the Confederate Army became more reliant on Florida to keep supply lines going, Kohl said.
"These raids were intended to break up those supply lines and hopefully shorten the war because if you can't feed your army, it's hard to fight," he said.
The fourth annual Re-enactment of the Civil War Battle of Gainesville, hosted by the Matheson Museum, was held downtown in Sweetwater Park on Saturday.
The original battle took place on and around the very spot that Saturday's re-enactment occurred, though the original battle extended as far as where Main Street and University Avenue intersect today.
On Aug. 17, 1864, two prongs of Union soldiers arrived in Gainesville, where they were met by a company of Confederate militia, who were pushed back by the Union soldiers.
Word reached Confederate forces, however, who then descended on the Union soldiers with about 200 men, including cavalry and cannons. The Union soldiers, who were unable to set up defensive positions by the time the Confederate force arrived, were flanked on both sides.
With half his horses out of commission and ammunition running low, Colonel Harris of the Union Army ordered a retreat.
Confederate soldiers chased the Union force, taking 188 captives before the fighting was over. The battle left three Confederate soldiers dead and five wounded — two of whom died. Meanwhile, the Union force lost 28 soldiers with 5 wounded.
Before Saturday's re-enactment began, the estimated 600 observers could be seen visiting what was left of the mock camp that re-enactors had set up the day before. A series of tents filled with utensils and other objects from the era were set up on a nearby field, and soldiers' wives donning era-style dresses could be seen both inside and outside the camp.
Soldiers and their wives weren't the only re-enactors on hand. Fred Aubrey played the role of Sheriff Samuel W. Burnett, who served from 1857 to 1865. He sat behind a table covered in mock tax receipts, petitioning people to pay their taxes because the state often charged sheriffs with collecting taxes during the Civil War era, Aubrey said.
There were also tables set up where organizations such as Civil War Roundtable of North Florida handed out literature. Authors and collectors were also on hand to speak with event-goers.
As the re-enactment began, the fife and drum corps began playing marching music as the Union soldiers formed up and entered the field to meet the Confederate militia, who donned mismatched outfits.
Soldiers on both sides began to shout as the first shots were fired. Thick plumes of smoke rose above the battlefield, engulfing the entire field before being carried away on the wind.
The Union soldiers continued to advance as the militia made a quick retreat through a portion of the crowd. Then, mounted soldiers arrived from the far side of the field, shooting at the Union soldiers while fighting to control their horses as they reacted to the sound of the gunfire.
The Union soldiers then flanked the cavalry, who also retreated after some time. They were replaced, however, by a large Confederate force that suddenly appeared to face the Union soldiers.
The Confederate soldiers whooped and hollered as they advanced and were joined by both the militia and the mounted soldiers on each flank. They continued to press forward as the Union soldiers were pushed back.
The Union soldiers then brought out a cannon and fired, which was answered in kind by a Confederate cannon.
Soon, Union soldiers and officers began to fall to the ground in mock death as the battle became more chaotic and disorganized.
The Union soldiers formed up one last time, but it was too late: The Confederate soldiers continued to advance and flanked the Union force on both sides.
"We got 'em on the ropes!" a Confederate re-enactor shouted from the field.
Finally, the Union soldiers broke their lines and began a hasty retreat as a barrage of gunfire came at them from all sides.
The audience applauded as the battle came to a close, and a moment of silence was held as "Taps" was played in honor of the fallen soldiers on both sides.
After the re-enactment, the mock soldiers lined up and shot simultaneously into the air above the crowd in order to give spectators a sense of what it was like to be on the battlefield.
Jeff Montgomery and Tom Hury, lifelong friends who attended the re-enactment with their wives, both had relatives who fought in the Civil War. Their great-great grandfathers fought on opposing sides and faced each other during the Battle of Chickamauga in Tennessee.
They both said they were impressed with the historical accuracy of this re-enactment and appreciated the dedication of the re-enactors.
"It's just so nice that living history still exists and we have people (who) are willing to keep an interest in the history of the United States and help educate everybody else about it," Hury said.
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