Olustee Longleaf Pine

The Battle of Olustee, also known as the Battle of Ocean Pond, was one of the few battles of the American Civil War fought in Florida. On February 20, 1864 Union forces on an expedition into Florida to secure Union enclaves, sever Confederate supply routes, and recruit black soldiers met with a force of 5000 Confederate troops. The battle was a rout for Union forces. A regrettable episode in the aftermath of the battle was the apparent mistreatment of Union black soldiers by the Confederates. Contemporary sources, many from the Confederate side, indicate that a number of black soldiers were killed on the battlefield by roaming bands of southern troops following the close of the fighting.

The site of the Battle of Olustee is home to many stands of Longleaf Pine trees.

Did You Know?
The Battle of Olustee was the largest of the Civil War battles fought in Florida. The Civil War saw two small engagements in the vicinity of Tampa known as the Battle of Fort Brooke and The Battle of Tampa.

National Park Service Battle Summary: Fort Brooke
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/fl004.htm

National Park Service Battle Summary: Tampa
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/fl002.htm

Learn More about the Battle of Olustee

Florida State Parks: Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, Olustee, FL
http://www.floridastateparks.org/olusteebattlefield/

Olustee Battlefield Reenactment
February in Olustee, FL
http://www.olusteefestival.com/

Battle of Olustee Information
http://battleofolustee.org/

Proposed Olustee Longleaf Pine - Pine Flatwoods Garden
The Civil War Battle of Olustee (1864) took place in the pine flatwoods of north Florida. The flatwoods ecosystem once covered most of Florida and still represents over 50% of the natural area in our state. The Flatwoods Garden includes native plants that Civil War soldiers would have trodden upon and pushed their way through as they fought this bloody battle.

Examples of Proposed Plants:

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) - This plant more than any other would have hindered soldiers fighting at Olustee, as the sharp fronds cut their skin and clothes to ribbons and the closely-clustered trunks impeded their way, but it also would have provided valuable cover in an otherwise fairly open landscape.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea)

Native wildflowers including Blazing Star, Rosinweed, Blanketflower, Goldenaster, Partridge Pea, Paw Paw, Sunflower, etc.