Battle of Fort Myers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Fort Myers
Part of the American Civil War
Fort Myers, Florida: Historical marker
Date February 20, 1865 (1865-02-20) Location Lee County, Florida Result Minor Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Capt. James Doyle	Col. C. J. Munnerlyn
Strength
300	250
Casualties and losses
1 dead, 3 wounded	1 wounded

The Battle of Fort Myers was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened on February 20, 1865, in Lee County, Florida. This battle is special because it was the southernmost land battle of the entire war.

What Happened Before?

Fort Myers was first built during the Seminole Wars, which were conflicts with Native American tribes. After those wars, the fort was left empty. But in December 1863, soldiers from the Union Army took it over again. It was the only fort in South Florida controlled by the Union.

The Union soldiers had a plan. They wanted to send horse soldiers (cavalry) into the areas north of the Caloosahatchee River. Their goal was to take cattle from local ranches. This would stop the beef from being sent to the Confederate States Army in Georgia. By 1865, Union cavalry had already taken more than 4,000 cattle from farms in similar raids.

A Safe Place for Many

Fort Myers also became a safe place for people. Many enslaved people who had escaped found shelter there. It was also a refuge for people who supported the Union. These Union supporters were often treated badly by those who wanted to break away from the United States (called secessionists). Their homes were burned, and they were forced off their farms. At one point, over 400 people were crowded inside the fort's grounds.

The fort was mainly protected by a few groups of soldiers. These included the 2nd Florida Cavalry, which was mostly made up of refugees who had joined the army. There was also a company from the 110th New York Volunteer Infantry and a company from the 2nd United States Colored Infantry. These last two groups came from Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West.

The "Cow Cavalry"

The Confederates decided to form a special group of soldiers to stop these Union raids. This group was a state militia battalion. It was led by Col. C. J. Munnerlyn. The soldiers in this battalion were mostly cattle drovers, who were usually excused from serving in the main Confederate Army. One of their leaders was Capt. Francis A. Hendry. This group became known as the Cattle Guard Battalion or the "Cow Cavalry."

The Fight Begins

In early February 1865, the Cow Cavalry was at Fort Meade. They received orders to attack Fort Myers. They had heard that the Union might soon abandon the fort.

On February 19, three companies of the Cow Cavalry and one cannon arrived at old Fort Thomson (LaBelle, Florida). They marched along the river and set up camp near Billy's Creek.

The Attack on the Fort

The next morning, February 20, the Confederates surprised some African American Union soldiers who were on guard duty. They shot at them as they tried to run away.

The sound of the shots warned the soldiers inside Fort Myers. So, the Confederates fired a warning shot from their cannon. Then, they sent a messenger to demand that the Union troops surrender.

The Union's Response

The Union officer in charge of the fort, Capt. James Doyle, sent back a clear message. He refused to surrender. He said, "Your demand for an unconditional surrender has been received. I respectfully decline; I have force enough to maintain my position and will fight you to the last."

Captain Doyle then moved his own two cannons outside the fort. The battle began. African American Union soldiers fired the cannons, while white Union cavalrymen fired their carbine rifles. Both sides continued to fire on and off throughout the day. The fighting finally stopped when it got dark. During the skirmish, one African American Federal soldier was killed.

After the Battle

The next morning, the Cow Cavalry went back to Fort Meade. Even though the Union soldiers had successfully defended the fort, Fort Myers was abandoned by its defenders in early March.