Page 107 - a-history-of-columbia-county-florida-(1996)-edward-f-keuchel

A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 96/340

A History of Colznnbia County, Florida

The Ninth Florida Infantry was organized late in the war.
Early in May, 1864, General Patton Anderson, commanding the
District of Florida, received an urgent order to send a brigade to
Richmond. General Joseph Finegan, the victor of the battle of
Olustee, was ordered to proceed immediately with his brigade
which included the Ninth Florida Infantry as well as other Florida
units. The Ninth saw action at Cold Harbor and Petersburg. On
December 7, 1864, the Florida Brigade, of which the Ninth was a
part, made a forced march of 50 miles and struck the Federals at
Bellfield on December 9. On April 2,1865, General Robert E. Lee’s
lines were broken, and the Ninth joined other Confederate units in
the retreat. When it surrendered at Appomatox only 15 officers
and 109 enlisted men were left. Company E was almost entirely
composed of Columbia County men. Its officers were Captain A. A.
Stewart who resigned on June 7, 1864, First Lieutenant G. H.
Hunter who was wounded at Cold Harbor, and Second Lieutenant
James W. Pierce who was killed at Farmville on April 7,1865. The
First Sergeant was M. A. Knight, the Second Sergeant was A. J.
Prevatt, the Third Sergeant was B. L. Reynolds, and the Fourth
Sergeant was J. S. Griffin. Since it was formed late in the war, the
Ninth Florida Infantry had a low desertion rate. Company F and
Company K all had a fair number of men from Columbia County
and the White Springs area.19
The Eleventh Florida Infantry Regiment was also formed late
in the war. It was part of the command of Colonel T. W. Brevard
which was sent to Virginia to protect the wagon trains supplying
Lee’s forces. The Eleventh Florida Infantry was captured by
Federal cavalry units under General George A. Custer, and not
many escaped to face capture later at Appomatox. Company D of
the Eleventh Florida Infantry was well represented by Columbia
County.20

‘“Robertson, Soldiers of Florida, pp. 206-19; Confederate Muster Rolls, Vol. II,
n.p.n.
"Robertson, Soldiers of Florida, pp. 236-41; Confederate Muster Rolls, Vol. II,
n.p.n.
94

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