Olustee, February 2009

By Battalion Commander Scott Wortham

After Action Report, Olustee, Florida

Thursday, February 14th

Arriving in the field after a nice trip we set up camp next to a nice little lake and started preparing rations and setting out guards.

The officers were issued a fine Port and shared it with the men. After lying down to sleep, we were woken up by our pickets firing at enemy raiders. We all sprang to action and after bearing artillery on them, they lost all desire to probe us. Lt. Wullenjon then manned an outpost to the south of camp to prevent this again.

The next morning we set out in the direction of Olustee. We saw a rebel patrol ducking into the bushes, so we turned east down a small road hoping to meet with the infantry. Our mounted scouts found an ambush and spoiled it; the bushwhackers were assaulted very harshly.

After marching 2 miles we were struck by a small dismounted unit in the rear, so we were forced to bring the gun into action, first against mounted to the front, then to the dismounted to the rear. We resumed marching and then met the road the infantry was supposed to be on. The Infantry were waiting at the wrong crossroad, so we just met them there and stopped for breakfast.

 After breakfast we let the infantry lead off, pushing the rebel cavalry out of the way. We met up with the 5th Tennessee cavalry. I assigned the 5th to the advance of the column but they were slowed down very quickly, so I sent the 4th Kentucky MI to reinforce them. As they were armed with Henry and Spencer repeating rifles, they made short work of them and they were able to penetrate swamps that the 5th was too scared of.

 We pushed another mile more and ran into a swamp which I’m sure the confederates thought would stick our gun and they would attack. So, the infantry took the lead and we muscled the gun through the mess and were pushing again. After a few minutes. we were at the crossroads we were assigned to hold, and hold it we did after being surrounded.

 At 2 PM, the infantry made a push and we went into camp. Later, our own Pvt. Chandler spoiled the well and our command did nothing to stop it. I have never witnessed a more TREACHEROUS act in war, ever. We were attacked by rebel cavalry right before dark; the boys were ready and repelled them, but at a cost because our treacherous but well prisoners butt got dirty again.

 The evening was wrought with friendly fire incidents! One that stands out was when one of our cannoneers, a Spaniard named Carlos, was shot at while in a private moment in the bushes.

 Late that evening my horse got sick and some of us went to camp to help her, leaving the rest to weather the rain. But we were reunited and fought a very large battle at Olustee, where the 5th Tennessee lost all but one of their riders and the 4th Kentucky had to carry on without them and stood out by pushing the rebels with repeater and artillery fire.

Col. Bob used the LB cavalry very nicely as we were in all the right places at the right times; his valor knows no ends.

Major Scott Wortham

Cmd. Georgia Volunteer Cavalry Battalion