Battle of Gainesville

The Battle of Gainesville was fought on August 17, 1864, as part of the Florida Expedition of the American Background

Gainesville, site of a crucial railroad junction and depot in north central Florida, was the scene of two small-scale engagement during the war. On February 14, 1864, the first battle occurred when about 50 Union troops entered the city intending to capture two trains. Company H of the 2nd Florida Cavalry with 130 men attempted to repulse this raid but were defeated by the Union force, which successfully returned to Jacksonville after holding the town.

Listed in the War's Official Orders is a General Order signed by Brigadier General Truman Seymour on February 17th 1864, stating that he:

"...especially desires to praise Capt. George E. Marshall, Co. G. 40th Mass. Mounted Volunteers, and his small command of forty-nine men who captured and held Gainesville for fifty-six hours, receiving and repulsing an attack from more than double his force, and, after fulfilling his mission successfully, returning to the designated place of rendevous."

Battle

The more well-known Battle of Gainesville took place on August 17, 1864, in the town square. The fighting was viewed by many of the townspeople from the windows of the Beville house near downtown. Three hundred forty-two Union troops of the 75th Ohio Mounted infantry, reinforced by two companies of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry and supported by a battery of 3 cannons from the 3rd Rhode Island Artillery under the command of Col. Andrew L. Harris occupying the city were attacked from the rear by some 200 soldiers of the Second Florida Cavalry under Captain Jonathan J. Dickinson (companies H and F), supported by local militia, elements of 5th Florida Cavalry Battalion and a small artillery battery of two cannons for a total strength of about 290 (although only 175 would be engaged in the actual fighting).

The Union column, tired from a long march in the hot summer sun of Florida, was taken...

Battle At Gainesville

Gainesville was very fortunate during the Civil War-there were only two skirmishes, or battles, neither too destructive. The most important battle occurred on February 15, 1864. A description of the event can be seen on a Florida Historical Marker in front of the City Hall: