Existing comment:
COW CAVALRY
30" X 48" oil Painting
Florida Home Guard Militia skirmish with Union cattle raiders, 1863.
As the Civil War devastated the Southern states, Florida's remote farmland and cattle ranges became the Confederacy's food source for their struggling armies fighting throughout the states to the north.
Union forces eventually invaded and occupied the coastal towns and ports of Florida. In this posture, they were able to strike into the interior to destroy agricultural holdings and to commandeer the beef-producing cattle herds.
To combat the Union raiders, a home guard was initiated. The irregular units comprised of volunteers too young or old to serve in the Southern army. Recovering wounded veterans and cattle ranchers were included, thus providing valuable combat experience and knowledge of local terrain. One of these units was commanded by Captain J.J. Dickison, whose effective leadership was well known among Union forces. Moving swiftly by horseback, the guerrilla-like bands would engage the enemy on the open countryside or lie in wait to snipe at the mounted Union patrols.
The Union moved a strong force westward from Jacksonville, attempting to cut the line of supply in northern Florida at Olustee in 1864. The bitter battle was won by the Confederacy. But eventually the entire South gave way to defeat under the overwhelming force of the Federals, as did the citizen soldiers of Florida's "Cow Cavalry."
The capitulation of the Confederacy in 1865 and Reconstruction decimated the farms and ranches of Florida for many years after. |