Olustee Battle Reenactment - Dixie Dancers Square Dance Club

On February 20th, 1864, two armies clashed in the virgin pine flatwoods of north central Florida, near a railroad station named Olustee about fifteen miles east of Lake City, Florida. The battle raged for four hours. When it ended, the Union Army had suffered a stinging defeat.

The Battle of Olustee was the largest battle fought in Florida during the Civil War.

The site is now preserved as a state park and is the scene of the most authentic and largest annual battle reenactment in the southeastern United States, with over 2,000 infantry, artillery and cavalry re-enactors participating.

Set up within the park among the pine trees, outside the battlefield area, are authentic Union and Confederate military camps.

The scene, as much as possible, is circa 1864, including tents, cooking equipment, cots, weapons, horses, band instruments, medical supplies, and even prayer books for those civilians who want to attend church services with the troops on Sunday morning before the battle.

The uniforms of the men and the period attire of the women and children 'camp followers' are often made from copies of original patterns.

The First Re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee
took place on February 20, 1977.
Less than 300 participants were present.

Aided by funding from the Blue-Grey Army, Inc. and the State of Florida,
the battle reenactment has grown by greater degrees of authenticity yearly.

It now actually seems like one is stepping out of a time machine
back into that era in history.
The re-enactors, with the aid of sponsoring organizations,
make it that real.

There are authentic camps to walk through, medical demonstrations, period music concerts, a Ladies' Tea under the tent, a period Dress Ball on Saturday night, memorial and period church services, Colors ceremonies for infantry, artillery and cavalry, a dress parade for all the infantry and cavalry units along sutler row to the battlefield, period crafts and exhibits.

The Blue-Grey Army, Inc.

Olustee Battlefield Citizen
Support Organization

Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Recreation and Parks

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic
State Park, Key West,
a Florida Civil War Park

U.S.D.A. Forest Service

Osceola National Forest

Blue-Grey Army, Inc.
In 1979, interested people in the area organized,
with cooperation from the State of Florida and local reenacting groups,
the Blue-Grey Army, Inc.,
to help support the battle and to raise funds
through 1860's centered activities in Lake City, Florida. The resulting
Blue-Grey Army's Olustee Battle Festival
is today one of the most successful festivals in the Southeast.

Olustee Battlefield Citizen Support Organization
In 1990 the Olustee Battlefield Citizen Support Organization was formed
to assist the Florida Park Service in its administration and interpretation of the Olustee Battlefield Memorial.
The organization includes among its membership reenactors, historians, and others interested in the preservation of the Olustee Battlefield. Long-term goals include improvements to the museum and interpretative markers, the acquisition of additional land for the Memorial, archaeological surveys of the battlefield, the publication of historical booklets and pamphlets relating to Florida's role in the war, and improvements to the annual battle reenactment.

Confederate Marines will provide two artillery pieces and support. Federal infantrymen are always needed. Federals will have Cavalry as well.

Driving directions: from hwy 90, go west from Marion St (441) one block to Columbia St, turn right, go 3 blocks turn right. Proceed several blocks to lake. Turn right. to SW corner of lake. There will be a bus at the battlefield entrance at 330 pm to transport reenactors.

For more information, contact Lt. David Eversole at deversole@bellsouth.net.

Included in the day's activities (before the skirmish), will be a memorial service at Oak Lawn cemetery in Lake City at 9:30am. A roll call of all 155 Confederates killed in the battle of Olustee - all of those fallen soldiers - and interred in the cemetery, will be recognized and honored for the first time. Previously, these soldiers were unknown!

As many confederate reenactors as possible are needed to attend this service. Directions to the cemetery: From hwy 90, 3 blocks west of Main St. turn right on N 5th St and go 6 blocks to W. Franklin St; cemetery on right. For information, contact 1st. Lt. Cmdr. David Eversole/ Battle of Olustee Camp 1463 at deversole@bellsouth.net

February 15, 2008
The 6th Fl. Co. E. (Hardy Brigade) will once again host the skirmish at Lake Desoto in Lake City.
The skirmish will take place at 5:00 pm,
near the south-west corner of the lake behind the Columbia Co. courthouse.