Most Endangered Battlefields 2008
Natural Bridge, Fla.
March 6, 1865
The Battle of Natural Bridge, fought in the final weeks of the war, was one of the conflict’s last Confederate victories. By preventing Union troops from crossing the St. Mark’s River, a Confederate force under Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones was able to keep the nearby state capital of Tallahassee out of northern hands. It was one of only two Confederate capitals never to be occupied by a federal army.
In early March 1865 a federal flotilla arrived at the mouth of the St. Mark’s River, along the Florida panhandle, planning to use the waterway to gain the interior. Shallow waters hampered the attempt and gave a Confederate scout enough time to arrive in Tallahassee and warn of the threat. Soon every able-bodied man in the capital, including wounded soldiers home on leave and university cadets as young as 14, were dispatched to defend the approaches to the city. Only about 700 men were mustered, but in a day-long engagement they repulsed three major attacks near the crossing at Natural Bridge and forced the Union expedition to return to its fleet.
Threat
Today, Natural Bridge is in the suburbs of rapidly growing Tallahassee, which places serious pressure on the battlefield and its unique natural resources. Currently, only seven acres of the site are protected within Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park — the rest of the battlefield is in private hands and, in many cases slated for development.
A 55-acre property that saw much of the battle’s most serious fighting is currently being offered for sale, openly advertised as battlefield. The State of Florida has been negotiating with the landowner for some time, seeking to add the acreage to the immediately adjacent state park, but no agreement has yet been reached. The state also sought to acquire a large amount of ecologically sensitive property in the area, including the northern portion of the battlefield, but budgetary constraints have stalled the effort. Meanwhile, developers are actively selling nearly 150 estate homes at the Tallahassee Ranch Club nearby.
CWSAC classified Natural Bridge as a Priority III, Class C.
Resources for Natural Bridge
- Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
- CWSAC Battle Summary of Natural Bridge
- Civil War Album's photos of Natural Bridge
MOST ENDANGERED BATTLEFIELDS:
Natural Bridge, Florida
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