Kat Sack here! Sometimes Katastrophic Sackrilege to the running community, but most definitely The Mountain Lioness to those who follow and join my adventures. I currently call Tallahassee, FL home. The mountains are my favorite place to be and explore but given my location, I dive into other types of rad places too!

I created this blog as a personal project to document my adventures. Photos are great, but I love text describing more of the story and to recall what I have learned. I am no expert at outdoorsy activities, but I learn as I go! If you end up here, I hope you can get something out of it.

My original focus was on backpacking, hiking, camping, kayaking, and mountain biking. I have thus shifted the scope as I discovered my love for National and State Parks. I have the National Parks Passport and the Florida State Parks passport which have allowed me to discover places I originally would never have seen. Now I write about national monuments, history, run-cations, etc.

At some point I hope to dive into personal growth as well with topics including self-sufficiency and improvement, turning boredom into adventure, steps to heal my body and mind, and overcoming social adversities.

Life is an adventure. Go outside. Pay attention to all that is around you. Get lost in the moment. Everything has a story. Listen for it, even if you do not speak the same language.

'153rd Anniversary of the 'Battle of Natural Bridge'' Reenactment


'153rd Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge' Reenactment

Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park [FL]

FL State Parks Quest: 22/175

4 March 2018


Introduction


153 years after the American Civil War's Battle of Natural Bridge, reenactors replicate the battle for the 41st time.

Brought to you by Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park and the Natural Bridge Historical Society, Inc. (CSO).

     -Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park

               -Battle of Natural Bridge

                              -What's this Natural Bridge?

The St. Marks River is a spring-fed river flowing 36 miles from eastern Leon County into the Apalachee Bay. A natural feature of the river is a section that flows underground for a short bit before reemerging further downstream. This creates a natural bridge. Although the headspring is not located in the park, there are several other First Magnitude Springs in the park, which discharge more than 100 cubic ft of water per second.

What all is going on for this weekend?
--Saturday 3/3/2018: Mingle with Civil War reenactors and also opportunities to observe a skirmish, cavalry demonstrations, artillery shows, and examples of medical treatments
--Sunday 3/4/2018: Official Opening Ceremonies and Dedication and the full-scale Battle of Natural Bridge reenactment at 14:30
--Both Days: Refreshments (including hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks, and soft drinks) will be available for purchase beginning at noon.
--Admission: Park fees waived; however, donations of $3/person are encouraged towards the CSO.

Park Profile - Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park

  • Region: North Central
  • Year Established: 
  • Location
    • Physical Address: 7502 Natural Bridge Rd. Tallahassee FL 32305
    • GPS: 
    • Google Maps
    • Distance from Tallahassee:
  • Phone: 850.487.7989
  • Fees: 
    • $3/Vehicle
    • $2/Pedestrians, Bicyclists
    • FREE with an Annual Pass (additional car passengers $2)
  • Hours: 08:00 - Sundown, 365 Days/Year
  • FL State Parks Website
  • FL State Parks Brochure
  • FT Ranger on Duty: No
  • Passport Stamp Location: 

The Gear

The Story

We arrive just a few minutes before the reenactment begins. It's the main attraction of a popular weekend at Natural Bridge, so we just park way down the road and begin walking.

 Spectators gather and reenactors are ready to get started.
Found the kid with confederate flags in his jeans pockets :/

Preface Before the Battle

We get a rundown of what is going to occur before they start the action. Also, some background on events leading up to the Battle of Natural Bridge on March 6, 1865. Note that the Civil War ended in 1865, so this battle is towards the very end of the war.

The Union plan was to capture Fort Ward, which was at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers. From there they planned to march North to the state capital, Tallahassee. The Union flotilla ran aground at Port Leon on March 3, 1865 and would not be making it to Fort Ward.

The 900 or so Union troops included the 2nd and 99th Regiments of the U.S. Colored Infantry (USCT). They marched towards Tallahassee over land. There were only about 600 soldiers for the Confederacy, making a difference of 300. With a good warning, the Confederate volunteer soldiers were able to meet the Union forces at Natural Bridge.

Shots Fired

The battle began early in the morning on March 6, 1865. We get a close-up view of the Confederate defense from the bleachers.

Union Forces Emerge from the Woods

The Union troops made three major attempts to charge over Natural Bridge. The inaccuracies of Civil War time weaponry were very interesting. So many shots fired yet no one going down. Just imagine if they had the scopes and power we do now 150+ years later.

Union troops made their attempts over the course of the day. You can see them charging from two different areas. Each charge was repulsed by artillery and small arms fire by the Confederate defenders.
Smoke ring from the cannon

First Man Down!


This photo is taken later. I added it here though to zoom in on the guy down. At this point in the battle, the fallen Union troops in this photo are not yet a thing. Oops, sorry for the spoilers.

[An Unplanned] Fire on the Field!

Spectators start to notice a fire in the section of the field no reenactor is near. Once it finally got enough attention, either officials or reenactors temporarily breaking form put it out.

Battle Resumes, That Fire Totally Didn't Happen...

You can see the progression of the Union troops as they get closer.

You can see the Union flag in this photo.

Many of the Union soldiers go down.

Union soldiers start to close in from another part of the woods.

Smoke coming from all directions!

 Union Retreat

About ten hours later in the evening of March 6, 1865, the Union forces retreated back to their fleet at St. Marks for protection. They did this reenactment in about 30-40 minutes.

Confederate soldiers go to the downed Union soldiers.


After

And this is how the next zombie movie begins.

Afterwards, a park ranger and member of the CSO chat with the audience some more.

Some exhibits and other parts of the park. I didn't stick around too long. Below on the right is a monument that honors the fallen Confederate soldiers that defended Natural Bridge.

Roar for More!

  • My 1st time visiting Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
  • 22nd out of 175 unique FL State Park I've visited since getting the passport
  • This reenactment is on the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge
  • It is the 41st annual reenactment of the battle
  • Battle of Natural Bridge was the second largest Civil War battle in Florida
  • Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park is on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Prior to its preservation, "Natural Bridge was cited as one of the top ten endangered Civil War sites by the Civil War Preservation Trust"

Resources

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Location: Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, 7502 Natural Bridge Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32305, USA

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