Colonel John Porterfield HQs

Hardy's Brigade

Feb 18, 2025

Good Morning Men,

My wagon pulled back into the homestead last night, and after a good night's sleep, I take to penning this after action report for the Battle of Olustee.

The Brigade began arriving on the field on 2/13 and an appropriate camp site was procured.  The  remaining troops had arrived on the field by late Friday night the 14th. As the 14th gave rise to the 15th the men were eager for a fight and the day began with colors and a parade, afterwards we returned to camp and prepared for the tussle yet to come.  The report was given that we had approximately 40 men on hand for the upcoming campaign. Word was sent that the brigade was needed for dismounted Cavalry support and we assembled the troops.

We did a forced march approximately 1 mile possible further as it felt that way as we trudged through heavy palmetto thickets.  As the battle began there were no other troops engaged or on the field other than the 2nd Cavalry and Hardy's Brigade.  The dismounted began the fray from the left flank of our position, and it was not long before the blue horde began to appear at our front. The men rose from their positions and Hardy's Brigade engaged the enemy.  The enemy tried on several occasions to flank our position on the right flank, and each time the men of the 2nd Florida was able to repel and reposition with support from the 8th Fl, and 37th Alabama.

The men continued an engagement with the enemy for a great while until the rest of the army finally arrived from camp and began to take the field to begin an attack in a different area of the field.  The Brigade was pulled back and was able to retrieve water and ammunition. The Brigade was then placed in reserve of Colonel Kohl.

Colonel Kohl advanced onto the field and engaged with the enemy, and after a short engagement found his troops brought to a halt.  The commanding General, General Poythress then approached this command and ordered them to take the field and to drive the blue horde back. The brigade went forward and clearing the wood line formed a column of companies and moved forward to the point that they deployed in line of battle on the first company, and engaged the enemy.  We were able to drive them back, but in doing so we took several casualties to the point that we were forced to withdraw from the field.  Both armies suffered several casualties and fighting was halted for the day;  The Brigade returned to camp to eat, clean their weapons and locate friends they had been separated from during the day.

The evening was not without incident however, as the commander received word on contraband and a possible traitor in camp.  This officer conducted an inspection of all three companies and each man's tent was searched.  The 37th Alabama had four soldier's who were found in possession of whore house tokens, and Union currency was found among their belongings.  A fair and just court martial occurred and a firing squad was assembled and the men were properly shot. The men, tired from the day's activities, retired for the evening.

The morning of the 16th gave rise to a new day with cloudy skies overhead.  We once again had a parade and colors, and hotilities were ceased for a period as we attended a memorial for fallen comrades.  General Jessee was well pleased as we were the only Brigade to attend the memorial, and he came to this commander and graciously thanked him for the Brigade's attendance.

The skies opened up and the men sought shelter anywhere they could find, and finally the skies began to clear.  The 2nd Florida finally received their pay and formed for disbursement of two months wages. This command however received a letter from Mrs. Caroline Sealing, and this Colonel had to interrupt the pay detail and share the letter with the company, as it appeared that one of the soldier's had handfasted with a local girl prior to enlisting in the army.  They had consummated their handfasting and she found herself to be with child.  This soldier was to send funds to the mother of his child, and had neglected to have any correspondence with the mother since his departure.  Andrew Sealing was called out for this behavior and his Commanding officer, Adam Boyken acted with great honor and deducted $20 from his pay to be sent to the mother.

Shortly thereafter we were ordered to form our Brigade's.  After a thorough inspection of arms we were ordered to march.  Once on the field the 2nd Florida was asked to assist in going out to engage the enemy as they did so, they were engaged with Calvary and formed a square with the other troops on the field to repel the attack.  They did so, and then found themselves engaged with artillery and after a severe shelling were forced to retreat from the field.  An intense artillery barrage began as the men were brought up. We were then ordered forward, serving initially as the right wing of the army, we later received more troops and we were moved to the middle of the army.  We battled intensely and found ourselves short of ammunition, to secure ourselves we had to slow our rate of fire until we could be resupplied.  Once the ammunition was received we engaged the enemy with much vigor.  We began to drive the enemy backwards until the General ordered the men to "charge" and the troops drove them from the field and they retreated towards Jacksonville.  We returned to camp, cleaned weapons, and dried out.  We loaded our wagons and began preparation for our next engagement in which we received orders to report to Broxton's Bridge Plantation in South Carolina.

A special thanks to Adam Boyken of the 2nd Florida, as he assisted this command during this campaign with reports, as my adjutant Major Dye had to remain at his homestead. His assistance was greatly appreciated as it proved to be a very time consuming campaign,

The men of the 2nd Florida, 8th Florida, and 37th Alabama fought bravely and their shooting capabilities are second to none, and this commander received a great many compliments on the men;s firing and fighting aggressiveness during the campaign.  It is with great respect and pride that I submit this report from Olustee Station.

Your Obedient Servant

Colonel John Porterfield (interim)