Howdy yall

suwannee · #1 02-21-2007, 05:30 AM

I'm in Florida and was amazed to learn of the CW history here - especially the riverine warfare that took place.
I'm also interested in the operations of Dickinson's cavalry in the interior.
While diving a spring once I touched the timbers of a sunken vessel then learned it was the remains of a Confederate gunboat.
Another time I was cave climbing and learned the cave had been a prison for Union pow's.
Amazing what went on here back then.

I once got to peruse a rare set of the Official CSA History at a private library - as far as I know it's the only complete set there is. Sad indeed.

Nice to be here.

ole · #2 02-21-2007, 09:19 AM

Welcome, and thanks for sharing some of Florida's history. I tend to forget that it was a Confederate State.
Ole

larry_cockerham · #3 02-21-2007, 09:24 AM

Lots of Florida regiments here in Tennessee in 1864 and prior. Bunch of fighting Confederates!!

suwannee · #4 02-21-2007, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the welcome.
The Florida regiments served with the Armies of Tennessee and Northern Virginia. They were at Shiloh and Gettysburg. About the only state they didn't serve in was Florida.
After Vicksburg it was Florida cattle going up the Olustee railroad that supplied what little meat the Confederacy had. Florida and Georgia regiments defeated the Union attempt to cut that line at Olustee. The state capitol held out until after Appomattox. The Crackers acquitted themselves pretty well.
I read an account of a "skirmish" at Palatka on the St.Johns River - Federal gunboats were firing 20 inch shells into the town. Sounds like the Western Front. (I didn't even know there were CW guns that size) There's a lot of interesting CW history in Florida for the jaded enthusiast.
I never get to go but I hear the Olustee Battle reenactment is one of the best there is.

Anyone here have a set of the Official CSA History?

FSPowers · #5 02-21-2007, 12:34 PM

First of all, welcome.

Secondly, I have a reproduction of the Confederate Military History, broken down by state. Is this what you mean?

ole · #6 02-21-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

I once got to peruse a rare set of the Official CSA History at a private library - as far as I know it's the only complete set there is. Sad indeed.

jChecked one source. There are at least 10 complete sets of first editions for sale out there, as well as repros from 3 different publishers. Halfways tempted to buy one of the repops.
Ole

suwannee · #7 02-21-2007, 03:03 PM

FS - greetings - the set I saw was broken down by states; War in Texas, War in Florida etc. but it was so old I could barely read the bindings - red leather?

ole - where? everytime I search I get nada. One of those repops is mine.

ole · #8 02-21-2007, 07:41 PM

Search abebooks.com by title and editor.
old

gary · #9 02-22-2007, 01:16 AM

Welcome Suwannee. By riverine warfare, are you restricting yourself to Florida or do you mean other states? I know there's quite a bit elsewhere but I haven't looked into actions in Florida.

suwannee · #10 02-22-2007, 11:06 AM

Thanks Gary.
Florida riverine is all I really know about. I was a general CW enthusiast until I saw that hulk on the riverbottom and asked about it.
"Oh - that's the Rebel Gunboat."
It had taken damage in a fight with Union boats so the crew scuttled it. That got me going and I learned there was an incredible amount of riverine warfare here - possibly more than anywhere else because it went on throughout the war.
After Olustee it seems Union forces pretty much withdrew to their coastal forts, so it might be said that in Florida at least the Confederates won.
Not surprising in that the terrain here was what enabled the Seminoles to defeat every US force that tried to fight them.
I can only wonder what treasures might be lying on the bottoms of Florida's rivers.
At one time the inside walls of Castillo San Marcos were covered with grafitti from Union CW soldiers - until in a fit of cleanliness they washed them off - what a crime.