The Battle of Olustee

By VISIT FLORIDA staff
Published: September 19, 2011
Last Updated On: September 22, 2011

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The Battle of Olustee was the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida and is now honored annually with a festival and reenactment.

The Olustee Battle Festival and Re-enactment commemorates the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida, resulting in more than 2,800 casualties and a Confederate victory on Feb. 20, 1864. Three African American regiments, the 8th and 35th United States Colored Troops and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, fought as part of the Union Army. It is estimated that one-third of the total Union casualties for the battle were from the black regiments.

Each year hundreds of African American Civil War reenactors pay tribute to the black regiments by participating in the reenactment of the Battle of Olustee.

Each year hundreds of African American Civil War reenactors pay tribute to the black regiments by participating in the reenactment of the Battle of Olustee. Since 1975, reenactors gather at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park. The activities of both soldiers and civilians during the war are portrayed, including military camps and drills, medical demonstrations, and period music concerts.

Held during President’s Day weekend just east of Lake City (located near the intersection of I-75 and I-10 in North Florida), the event features a Civil War skirmish on Saturday afternoon and the re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee on Sunday. For more information, visit the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park’s website at www.FloridaStateParks.org/Olustee.