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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 55/340

A History of Columbia Comity, Florida
During the war seven forts were built and occupied at various
times in the area of Columbia County. Alligator, also called Fort
Lancaster, was built in 1835 in the town of Alligator on the site of
the present northeast corner of Madison and Marion Streets in
Lake City. Fort White was located on the Santa Fe River about
four miles west of the present town of Fort White. Fort Cass was
established on the Suwannee River at White Springs. Post No. 15
was near High Springs. Post No. 16 was between Alligator and
Columbia City, while Post No. 19 was near Lulu. Fort Eagle was
about ten miles southeast of Live Oak.60
From the soldiers’ standpoint Fort White was the worst place
to be stationed in the county and Post No. 16 was the best. Fort
White was abandoned in 1840 largely due to the severe sickness
encountered there by the military in 1838 and 1839. Posts sta­
tioned along rivers or in swampy areas tended to have the most
serious health problems. The major complaint at Fort White was
“bilious fever” which was regarded as more dangerous than that
which was called “intermittent fever.” Measles and smallpox were
found at some of the posts and diagnosed as such. The sickness
referred to as “bilious fever” was undoubtedly related to malaria
either directly from the malaria itself or indirectly from other
infections brought on by the weakened condition of the malaria
victim. One army physician stationed at Fort White in 1838 and
1839 stated that “to be stationed at one of these posts [Fort White,
Fort Fanning, or Fort Mellon] in the sickly season was a service of
real danger.” Fort White, which was established by a detachment
of volunteers in 1837, was situated on the Santa Fe River which
had flooding conditions in both 1838 and 1839. In 1838 the right
bank of the river was “completely submerged from the natural
bridge to the Echatucknee [sic] and nearly to the Suwannee.”61

60Gary Shields, “History of Military Units from Columbia County,” typwritten
copy, Columbia County Historical Society.
fil Letter to the editor, signed "Physician Second," Dailg National Intelligencer,
October 11, 1843.
54

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