CIVIL WAR BATTLES - Battle at Olustee
February 20, 1864
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In February, the commander of the Department of the South, Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, launched an expedition into Florida to secure Union enclaves, sever Rebel supply routes, and recruit black soldiers. Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour moved deep into the state, occupying, destroying, liberating and meeting little resistance. On Feb. 20th he approached Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan's 5,000 Confederates entrenched near Olustee. The Union forces attacked, but were later repulsed. The battle raged on, and as Finegan commited the last of his reserves, the Union line broke, and began to retreat. Finegan didn't exploit the retreat, allowing most of the Union forces to reach Jacksonville.
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