Battle of Gainesville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Gainesville
Part of the American Civil War
Historical marker outside city hall about the Battle of Gainesville
Date August 17, 1864 Location Gainesville, Florida 29°39′07.18″N 82°19′30.24″W / 29.6519944°N 82.3250667°W / 29.6519944; -82.3250667 Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Andrew L. Harris	John Jackson Dickison
Strength
342	about 290 (only 175 actually engaged)
Casualties and losses
221 (28 killed, 5 wounded, 188 captured)	6 (3 dead, 3 wounded)

The Battle of Gainesville was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on August 17, 1864. Soldiers from the Confederate side won against Union troops from Jacksonville, Florida. After this battle, the Confederates controlled Gainesville for the rest of the war.

Why Gainesville Was Important

Gainesville, Florida, was a key location during the Civil War. It had a railroad junction and a supply depot. This meant it was a place where train lines met and supplies were stored. Controlling Gainesville was important for moving troops and goods.

A Smaller Fight Before the Big Battle

Before the main battle, there was a smaller fight in Gainesville. This happened on February 14, 1864. About 50 Union soldiers entered the town. They wanted to capture two trains.

A group of 130 Confederate soldiers tried to stop them. These were from Company H of the 2nd Florida Cavalry. But the Union troops won this smaller fight. They successfully returned to Jacksonville after holding the town for a short time.

A Union general, Truman Seymour, praised the Union captain who led this raid. He said Captain George E. Marshall and his 49 men held Gainesville for 56 hours. They fought off a much larger force. They also completed their mission.

Getting Ready for Battle

On August 15, 1864, Col. Andrew L. Harris led Union troops from Baldwin. He had 173 officers and men from the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On their way, they destroyed a small Confederate guard post.

At Starke, more Union soldiers joined them. These were from the 4th Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry. Some Floridians who supported the Union also joined the group.

The Battle of Gainesville

The Union troops arrived in Gainesville on August 17. They found the town was held by one company of the 2nd Florida Cavalry. The main battle took place in the town square. Many people in the town watched the fighting from their windows.

The Union soldiers were suddenly attacked from behind. The attackers were soldiers from the 2nd Florida Cavalry. They were led by Captain John Jackson Dickison. Other Confederate groups also helped. These included local militia and parts of the 5th Florida Cavalry Battalion. They also had two small cannons.

Captain Dickison's force had about 290 men. However, only 175 of them actually entered Gainesville and fought.

The Union troops were caught off guard. They had not fully prepared when the Confederates attacked. After about two hours, Colonel Harris ordered his men to leave Gainesville. The Confederates kept attacking the disorganized Union soldiers.

The Union side suffered many losses. They had 28 soldiers killed and 5 wounded. Another 188 were captured. They also lost 260 horses and a large cannon. The Confederates had fewer losses. They had 3 killed and 5 wounded. Two of the wounded died the next day.

About 40 Union soldiers, including Colonel Harris, managed to escape. Colonel Harris reported that his group was destroyed. He believed they were attacked by a large Confederate force of 600 to 800 men and three cannons.

After hearing Colonel Harris's report, the remaining Union forces in north-central Florida pulled back. They went to their bases in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Gainesville stayed under Confederate control for the rest of the war.