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Natural Bridge Road
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| March 6, 1865 | Battle of Natural Bridge |
| 1st Sunday in March | Reenactment of Battle of Natural Bridge |
As a result of the Civil War battle that took place here in March of 1865, Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not to fall to Union forces. Natural Bridge, which derives its name from the "natural bridge" formed where the St. Marks River goes underground, is a tranquil wooded site ideal for picnics and recreation. The property has restrooms, picnic shelters, tables and grills. Interpretive markers and the remains of breastworks offer insight into the military history of this property. With advance notice, a ranger tour and slide program can be provided. Each March, visitors can attend a lively reenactment of this Civil War battle, featuring Confederate and Union encampments.
With its economy based on agriculture and slavery, Florida seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861. Leon County supplied six companies of infantry, three companies of cavalry and two companies of light artillery. Close to 1,450 men from Leon County enlisted in the Confederacy.
The major impact of the war on Tallahassee and Leon County was through a Union blockade of Gulf of Mexico ports. This had a tremendous impact, as this area was highly dependent on the ports at St. Marks and Apalachicola to receive goods and export cotton.
On February 20, 1864, the war came closer to home at the Battle of Olustee. Near Lake City, Olustee is 125 miles east of Tallahassee. While the Confederates were victorious, both Confederate and Union casualties were heavy. Some of the wounded were transported to Tallahassee via train, and those who died were buried in Old City Cemetery.
In March of 1865, Federal troops began advancing up the St. Marks River. Afraid that the troops would attack Tallahassee, local residents began developing earthworks to protect the city. Remains of these earthworks are found in Old Fort Park near today's Capital City Country Club.
Union Navy Commander R.W. Shufeldt and Army General John Newton developed a plan to land parties at the St. Marks lighthouse and march north, destroying bridges and railroads in the area.
Their plan was delayed when two vessels ran aground. They began their trek on March 5, but Tallahasseeans were alerted and rallied troops under Major General Sam Jones and Brigadier General William Miller.
Young cadets from West Florida Seminary (later Florida State University) were called to defend Tallahassee. Some of the teenagers were not allowed to fight because they did not have permission notes from their parents.
Early on March 6, Confederate and Union troops met at Natural Bridge in southern Leon County and fought until after 10 p.m. Confederate reinforcements arrived throughout the day, and the Union troops were forced back to their ships at St. Marks.
Of Confederates 700 troops, 3 were killed, 23 were wounded and 2 deserted. Of the 500 Union troops, 21 were killed, 89 were wounded, and 39 were missing.
Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not to fall to Union forces. Natural Bridge soon became a popular site for picnicking and souvenir hunting.
The State of Florida acquired the seven acre Natural Bridge site in 1959.
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