2nd Florida Infantry

[FloridaCSA]

I will continue to add to this post as time permits me to. I've studied the 2nd Florida and the Florida brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia a lot. My reenactment unit is company E of the 2nd Florida. Feel free to share any stories or info you might have. Here goes.

The 2nd Florida was organized April-July 1861 and mustered into Confederate service for 12 months near Jacksonville, Florida on July 13, 1861 and joined Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the late summer. They fought at the Battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, and Malvern Hill in 1862.

In late 1862, the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment was assigned to E.A. Perry's newly formed Florida Brigade alongside the 5th and 8th Florida. Perry's Brigade served under Anderson's Division of Longstreet's First Corps, of the Army of Northern Virginia.[1]

They fought in the Battles of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Antietam from Aug-Sep 1862. Colonel David Lang took command of the Florida Brigade and led them at Fredricksburg in Dec 1862 and Chancellorsville in May 1863. Under Col. Lang's command the Florida Brigade fought at Gettysburg in July 1863. They were attached to Picket's Division, and took part in the famous attack on the Union center on the 3rd day.

After the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in 1864, the Brigade was joined by the victors of the Battle of Olustee, the 9th, 10th, and 11th Regiments. General Joseph Finegan, the famous commander of Florida forces at Olustee, took command of the Florida Brigade, then were known as "Finegan's Brigade".[2]

In the last year of war the Florida Brigade fought at Cold Harbor in June 1864 and Petersburg during the winter. The Florida Brigade retreated with the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. By the time of surrender, the regiments were the size of modern-day platoons or companies. The 2nd, 5th, and 8th surrendered 68, 53, and 32 men respectively. The 9th, 10th, and 11th surrendered 124, 162, and 23. Most of the 11th had been cut off in the Army's retreat and had previously surrendered

That's from Wikipedia but can be confirmed in this book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0817357742/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

It's a great book if your interested in the Florida Brigade in the ANV. I've read it twice. More to come.

 

[MOBDEnut]

Great to see a far under represented Brigade and units in the Civil War! Now for someone to complete the Brigade as a whole. Along with the Florida Brigade in the AOT. .. 4th FL Inf. anyone?

 

[FloridaCSA]

At Sharpsburg:

"It was near 10 a.m. [17 September] when Anderson was ordered forward. He passed to the left of Sharpsburg and halted to pile knapsacks. He then marched, left in front, Pryor's Brigade in advance, northeasterly across the open fields, under a wicked and demoralizing fire of Thompkins' guns, reached the Hagerstown road about 100 yards south of Piper's Lane, and Pryor's Brigade marched up the road to the lane, then down the lane until it passed Piper's barn, where it filed to the left and went up the hill to the left, on the left of the orchard, and was halted by a staff officer ..."



"R.H. Anderson had been wounded very soon after coming upon the field and Pryor, who succeeded to the command, was unaware of the orders under which Anderson was acting and did not rise to the occasion, and the consequent movements of his command [Division] were disjointed and without proper direction, but, when apprized by Rodes of the condition of affairs, he ordered his own brigade forward."



"Without waiting this order Colonel Ballantine [2nd Fla] changed front forward on left company, the movement being in a measure masked by the orchard and cornfield in front and the line of the 2nd Florida was established fronting the cornfield, the right in the orchard and the left in the open ground west of it. The other regiments executed the movement, forming double-quick on the right of the 2nd Florida, in this order from left to right, 8th Florida, Lieutenant Colonel Coppens; 5th Florida, Colonel John C. Hately; 3rd Virginia, Colonel Joseph Mayo; 14th Alabama, Major James A. Broome, and Mahone's Brigade, Colonel W.A. Parham, now reduced to less than 50 men. Colonel Hately, 5th Florida, was in command of the brigade, and, as soon as formed he ordered it forward. It advanced through the orchard and as it entered the cornfield came under the fire of Thompkins' guns and the musketry of Kimball and Meagher, Colonel Coppens of the 8th Florida was killed, and immediately after Captain Waller, who succeeded him in command, fell dead, with the colors of the regiment draped over his shoulders, and every regiment suffered great loss. Passing through the cornfield the left of the brigade came up in rear of the right wing of the 14th North Carolina, the right extending beyond the 14th North Carolina. When it reached the road, it met with a severe fire which checked a part of the line, a part of it went beyond the road a few yards but was quickly driven back with great loss and all lay down with Anderson's men and opened fire ..."



"While Pryor's and Featherston's brigades, after their repulse, were lying in the road with G.B. Anderson's men, they were subjected to a severe fire of artillery and musketry. The sudden advance ordered by Colonel Barnes started some of the men to the rear and Colonel Posey, observing the crowded condition of the troops in the road, subjected to much loss, ordered his own brigade to retire. A scene of great confusion now ensued from the mingling of different brigades. Caldwell's Brigade now swept to the front and Pryor's and Featherston's men retreated carrying with them the 4th and 30th North Carolina ..."1

 

[WJC]

I will continue to add to this post as time permits me to. I've studied the 2nd Florida and the Florida brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia a lot. My reenactment unit is company E of the 2nd Florida. Feel free to share any stories or info you might have. Here goes.

The 2nd Florida was organized April-July 1861 and mustered into Confederate service for 12 months near Jacksonville, Florida on July 13, 1861 and joined Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the late summer. They fought at the Battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, and Malvern Hill in 1862.

In late 1862, the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment was assigned to E.A. Perry's newly formed Florida Brigade alongside the 5th and 8th Florida. Perry's Brigade served under Anderson's Division of Longstreet's First Corps, of the Army of Northern Virginia.[1]

They fought in the Battles of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Antietam from Aug-Sep 1862. Colonel David Lang took command of the Florida Brigade and led them at Fredricksburg in Dec 1862 and Chancellorsville in May 1863. Under Col. Lang's command the Florida Brigade fought at Gettysburg in July 1863. They were attached to Picket's Division, and took part in the famous attack on the Union center on the 3rd day.

After the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in 1864, the Brigade was joined by the victors of the Battle of Olustee, the 9th, 10th, and 11th Regiments. General Joseph Finegan, the famous commander of Florida forces at Olustee, took command of the Florida Brigade, then were known as "Finegan's Brigade".[2]

In the last year of war the Florida Brigade fought at Cold Harbor in June 1864 and Petersburg during the winter. The Florida Brigade retreated with the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. By the time of surrender, the regiments were the size of modern-day platoons or companies. The 2nd, 5th, and 8th surrendered 68, 53, and 32 men respectively. The 9th, 10th, and 11th surrendered 124, 162, and 23. Most of the 11th had been cut off in the Army's retreat and had previously surrendered

That's from Wikipedia but can be confirmed in this book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0817357742/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

It's a great book if your interested in the Florida Brigade in the ANV. I've read it twice. More to come.

Thanks for posting: I look forward to upcoming posts.
I have an interest the Florida units, simply because there were so few in comparison to the many units fielded by other states. Because of this, I believe there is an interesting and worthwhile story to be told, not only of their combat, but also of the men as individuals before and after the war.

 

[FloridaCSA]

Source:
Report 1
"Perry's Brigade"
The Forgotten Floridians at Gettysburg
Also
War of the Rebellion: Serial 044 Chapter XXXIX. THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

Report 2:

Perry's Brigade No. 545.--Report of Col. David Lang, Eighth Florida Infantry, commanding Perry's brigade.


HEADQUARTERS PERRY'S BRIGADE, July 29, 1863.


MAJOR: I herewith submit the following as the official report of the part taken by this brigade in the Battle of Gettysburg: On July 1, while on the march from Fayetteville to Gettysburg, this brigade being the rear guard of Anderson's division, heavy firing was heard in front, and I received orders from Major-General Anderson to pass ahead of the wagon train, and close up on General Wilcox's brigade. This I did, and, moving to within 2 miles of Gettysburg, was directed, by order of General Anderson, to form line of battle about 1 mile to the right of the turnpike. I continued to occupy this position until the morning of the 2d, when the division was moved to the front and right about 1½ miles, and formed line behind an open field 1 mile in width, the enemy being strongly intrenched in the woods and upon the heights on the opposite side of the field. While this movement was being executed, an advanced body of the enemy, occupying a thickly wooded hill on the right of the intended line, opened a heavy fire of musketry upon General Wilcox's brigade, occupying the right of the division, and I received orders to move to his assistance. I accordingly moved by the right flank, but, before becoming engaged, was notified by General Wilcox that he needed no assistance, and in a few moments the enemy were driven back, and we occupied the intended line without further opposition. Here I received orders to hold my position without bringing on an engagement unnecessarily until General Longstreet could come up on our right. About 5 p.m. I received an order from General Anderson to the effect that General Longstreet was driving back the enemy's left, and that Wilcox would advance whenever General Longstreet's left advanced beyond him. I was ordered to throw forward a strong line of skirmishers, and advance with General Wilcox, holding all the ground the enemy yielded. At 6 p.m., General Wilcox having begun to advance, I moved forward, being met at the crest of the first hill with a murderous fire of grape, canister, and musketry. Moving forward at the double-quick, the enemy fell back beyond their artillery, where they were attempting to rally when we reached the crest of the second hill. Seeing this, the men opened a galling fire upon them, thickly strewing the ground with their killed and wounded. This threw them into confusion, when we charged them, with a yell, and they broke and fled in confusion into the woods and breastworks beyond, leaving four or five pieces of cannon in my front, carrying off, however, most of the horses and limbers.
Following them rapidly, I arrived behind a small eminence at the foot of the heights, where, the brigade having become much scattered, I halted for the purpose of reforming, and allowing the men to catch breath before the final assault upon the heights. While engaged in reforming here, an aide from the right informed me that a heavy force had advanced upon General Wilcox's brigade, and was forcing it back. At the same time a heavy fire of musketry was poured upon my brigade from the woods 50 yards immediately in front, which was gallantly met and handsomely replied to by my men. A few moments later, another messenger from my right informed me that General Wilcox had fallen back, and the enemy was then some distance in rear of my right flank. Going to the right, I discovered that the enemy had passed me more than 100 yards, and were attempting to surround me. I immediately ordered my men back to the road, some 300 yards to the rear. Arriving here, I found there was no cover under which to rally, and continued to fall back, rallying and reforming upon the line from which we started. In this charge, the brigade lost about 300 men killed, wounded, and missing, and I regret to state that, while retreating, the colors of the Eighth Florida Regiment were left upon the field, the color-bearer and the color-guard (one sergeant and two corporals) being killed or wounded and left upon the field. I cannot attach any blame to the commander of the regiment, as in the confused order of the retreat several colors were crowded near each other, and the flag was not missed until the brigade was halted at the woods, too late to rescue it. Throwing forward pickets, the brigade remained quietly in this position until daylight of the 3d, when I received orders from General Anderson to connect my right with General Wilcox's left, and conform my movements during the day to those of his brigade. I was at the same time notified that I would receive no further orders. About 7 a.m. General Wilcox moved forward to the support of a portion of General Longstreet's artillery, then being placed in position; and, in accordance with orders, I moved up with his left, and put my command in front and at the foot of the hill upon which the batteries were in position, at the same time advancing my skirmishers to the crest of the next hill. Here we remained quietly until nearly 2 p.m., when the batteries opened a furious bombardment upon the enemy's stronghold, which lasted till nearly 4 p.m., when Pickett's division, of Longstreet's corps, charged the enemy's position, but were soon after driven back in confusion. Soon after General Pickett's troops retired behind our position, General Wilcox began to advance, and, in accordance with previous orders to conform to his movements, I moved forward also, under a heavy fire from artillery, but without encountering any infantry until coming to the skirt of woods at the foot of the heights. Just before entering the woods, a heavy body of infantry advanced upon my left flank. The noise of artillery and small-arms was so deafening that it was impossible to make the voice heard above the din, and the men were by this time so badly scattered in the bushes and among the rocks that it was impossible to make any movement to meet or check the enemy's advance.
To remain in this position, unsupported by ether infantry or artillery, with infantry on both flanks and in front and artillery playing upon us with grape and canister, was certain annihilation. To advance was only to hasten that result, and, therefor, I ordered a retreat, which, however, was not in time to save a large number of the Second Florida Infantry, together with their colors, from being cut off and captured by the flanking force on the left. Owing to the noise and scattered condition of the men, it was impossible to have the order to retreat properly extended, and I am afraid that many men, while firing from behind rocks and trees, did not hear the order, and remained there until captured.
Falling back to our artillery, we reformed in our old line, and remained here quietly until night, when I received orders from Major-General Anderson to fall back to the original line of battle in the woods. Here we remained, without any other interruption than a little picket fighting on the 4th, until the night of the 4th, when at dark, in accordance with orders from General Anderson, I withdrew my command and joined the army, then marching on the road to Fairfield. During the entire series of engagements, my command acted well, obeying all orders with promptness and alacrity. In the charge made, after the repulse of Pickett's division, upon a position from which we had been repulsed the day before, they moved steadily and firmly forward, although every man knew the desperate character of the charge and that no support was near. I received much valuable assistance from Captain [William E.] McCaslan, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant [A. J.] Peeler, acting aide, both of whom acted gallantly. I regret to state that Captain McCaslan was killed while we were retreating from the charge on the 3rd instant. The brigade went into action near 700 strong, and lost, as shown by the list forwarded a few days since, 455 killed, wounded, and missing, Major [W. R.] Moore, commanding Second Florida, and Captain [R. N.] Gardner, commanding Fifth Florida, being among the wounded. The former was left upon the field, and fell into the hands of the enemy.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DAVID LANG,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Maj THOMAS S. MILLS,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

Numbers 546. Report of Brigadier General Carnot Posey, C. S. Army, commanding brigade.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Near Culpeper Court-House, Va., July 29, 1863.

 

[FloridaCSA]

Thanks for posting: I look forward to upcoming posts.
I have an interest the Florida units, simply because there were so few in comparison to the many units fielded by other states. Because of this, i believe there is an interesting and worthwhile story to be told, not only of their combat, but also of the men as individuals before and after the war.

That book, A Small but Spartan Band has great stories and letters from the soldiers. I loaned it to a friend as soon as I get it back I'll share some. With the exact sources. There's one about them stealing and eating Billy Mahones private milk cow because they were starving at Petersburg.

 

[WJC]

That book, A Small but Spartan Band has great stories and letters from the soldiers. I loaned it to a friend as soon as I get it back I'll share some. With the exact sources. There's one about them stealing and eating Billy Mahones private milk cow because they were starving at Petersburg.

Thanks for your response! Now that's what we need more of....

 

[captaindrew]

I just got done reading Small But Spartan Band, good read. The accounts of their action during the Overland Campaign really got me. I couldn't begin to imagine living through that.

 

[FloridaCSA]

I just got done reading Small But Spartan Band, good read. The accounts of their action during the Overland Campaign really got me. I couldn't begin to imagine living through that.

Yeah I couldn't imagine going through what these men went through in those trenches.The rations alone. It's a wonder any of them survived.

 

[AUG]

Good thread and regiment.

Under Col. Lang's command the Florida Brigade fought at Gettysburg in July 1863. They were attached to Picket's Division, and took part in the famous attack on the Union center on the 3rd day.

I know you know this, but just to note, they weren't really attached to Pickett's Division at Gettysburg. The Florida Brigade was still in Richard H. Anderson's Division (later Mahone's), then in the Third Corps from 1863 until the end of the war.

Here are a couple members of the 2nd Florida....

Richard B. Waller. Born July 5, 1842 in Nolansville, Tennessee. Enlisted on July 9, 1861 and was in Captain Brevard's Company D, Leon Rifles, 2nd Florida Infantry. He married Carrie Anderson on February 16, 1868 in Waukeena, Florida. Married Mary Caroline Pemberton about 1890 and Lillian Huntly Peters on September 4, 1893 in Inverness. In December 1886 he homesteaded property in Hernando County. He died September 10, 1930 in New Hope and was buried September 13, 1930.
https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/155506

Portrait of Raymond Jenks Reid, son of Robert Raymond Reid, governor of Florida. Killed in the Battle of the Wilderness while serving as adjutant of the 2nd Florida Infantry.
https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/255291


Edit to add: @Tom Elmore has since posted these two threads on members of the regiment:
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/seton-fleming-and-frank-fleming-of-the-2nd-florida-infantry.153360/
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/john-d-perkins-of-the-2nd-florida-infantry.160708/

 

[FloridaCSA]

Good thread and regiment.


I know you know this, but just to note, they weren't really attached to Pickett's Division at Gettysburg. The Florida Brigade was still in Richard H. Anderson's Division (later Mahone's), then in the Third Corps from 1863 until the end of the war.

Yeah thanks for pointing that out. I missed that one. Very cool pictures.

 

[captaindrew]

I have to make a note about the photo of Richard Waller. I haven't seen that one before. There was a discussion on another thread on here where the Florida troops got supplied from. He is clearly wearing a type 1 Richmond depot jacket. Great evidence they were supplied rather quickly from Richmond being the type 2 jackets were coming out shortly after the 2nd Fl. arrived in Virginia. I don't think you would see any type 1 jackets in the 5th or 8th Fl. They arrived months later than the 2nd. Thanks for posting those pics.

 

[Legion Para]

Memoir of Capt. C. Seton Fleming of the Second Florida Infantry C.S.A. Illustrative of the history of the Florida troops in Virginia during the War between the states with an appendix of the casualties

This work is one of the few sources of primary information on the role of Florida troops who served in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Charles Seton Fleming (1839-1864) served as Captain of Company G, 2nd Florida Infantry and was killed at the second battle of Cold Harbor. The author (1841-1908), Seton's brother, was the governor of Florida between 1889 and 1893.

http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu:96836#page/001/mode/2up

 

[Legion Para]

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5665503

Capt Charles Seton Fleming, 2nd Florida Infantry.

Expired Image Removed

 

[DHTidwell]

This is my great great grandfather who served in the 2nd Florida Regiment Co. B (Alachua Guards). I'm only learning of him so I don't have much information. I beleive he is buried in Hamilton county. I would like to know if anyone knows of an online link to 'Muster Rolls'. I have seen them for other ancestors but I had to go to the Florida Museum in order to gain access to the microfilm. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[captaindrew]

View attachment 137599

This is my great great grandfather who served in the 2nd Florida Regiment Co. B (Alachua Guards). I'm only learning of him so I don't have much information. I beleive he is buried in Hamilton county. I would like to know if anyone knows of an online link to 'Muster Rolls'. I have seen them for other ancestors but I had to go to the Florida Museum in order to gain access to the microfilm. Any help is greatly appreciated.

US gen web archives has the muster of the 2nd Fl. the site address is usgwarchives.net

 

[DHTidwell]

US gen web archives has the muster of the 2nd Fl. the site address is usgwarchives.net

After a somewhat thorough search, I could not locate "muster Rolls". I found pension applications.

 

[captaindrew]

usgwarchives.net/fl/toc/militarystate. If that doesn't work search it on Bing, muster rolls for 2nd Florida infantry and it came right up. I'm a computer dummy so don't know how to get the exact link here but I found it pretty quick

 

[DHTidwell]

usgwarchives.net/fl/toc/militarystate. If that doesn't work search it on Bing, muster rolls for 2nd Florida infantry and it came right up. I'm a computer dummy so don't know how to get the exact link here but I found it pretty quick

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[DHTidwell]

usgwarchives.net/fl/toc/militarystate. If that doesn't work search it on Bing, muster rolls for 2nd Florida infantry and it came right up. I'm a computer dummy so don't know how to get the exact link here but I found it pretty quick

Ok... I found the muster rolls. I wonder if you might know how to look at the actual "Muster Cards"? If there is a website that actually houses the cards.