OLUSTEE- Bruce and Sheila Tucker, from the Sandhill Community outside of Pavo, have been reenacting for more than 20 years. They both appreciate performing in Living Histories, and helping to preserve southern history. Sheila is a member of John B. Gordon chapter 383 UDC. She usually portrays a southern belle of the 1860’s or a nurse by the battlefield. Bruce portrays a Quarter Master Sergeant for the Confederacy and Union. He is a charter member of the 61st GA Infantry, Co C, C.S.A. They recently returned from the 48th Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee, which is located outside of Lake City, Florida. This was in commemoration of the 161st Anniversary of Florida’s largest Battle of the War Between the States at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.

Several hundreds of men of all ages came to provide a living history of the battle that commemorates the largest War Between the States battle in Florida. Many of them bring their wives and children to participate in the “camp life,” while the soldiers are on the battlefield.

On February 20, 1864, two armies battled it out in North Central Florida, near a railroad station named Olustee. The Union and the Confederate armies both had about the same number of men, which was approximately 5,000. This battle is also called the Battle of Ocean Pond, due to the pond located nearby. On this day the battle was fierce until dark before the Union forces started on a fast retreat.

When the battle ended, the Union Army suffered a demanding defeat. Almost 2,000 were killed, wounded, or captured. The 54th Massachusetts, as well as the 8th and the 35th United States Colored, were included among them. They served as the rearguard for the Union Army. Some historians claim the Colored Army possibly prevented the Union Army’s destruction at the battle. The Confederates suffered a loss of almost 1,000 soldiers.

It was one of the bloodiest battles of the War Between the States, in proportion to the number of troops involved.

In 1949, the Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials claimed the responsibility for protecting the Olustee Battlefield. It later became Florida’s first state park. The area of the battlefield is now preserved as a state historic site.

Sheila encourages everyone interested in this era of time in American history to attend this re-enactment. “On Friday, busloads of school children from public, private and homeschools come and walk around the campsites,” Sheila said. “There are several monuments dedicated to the lives lost at this battle. In one area, one can see the cemetery where soldiers have been buried. Monuments are located in the cemetery. They get to walk in the campsites and see up close the items that help make up a campsite. The reenactors gladly talk with the students. They get to see Union and Confederate campsites.”

Also included are Artillery (Cannon) and Cavalry Campsites. While walking around the students may see re-enactors portraying Frederick Douglas, General Robert E. Lee, Sutlers, President Abraham Lincoln, Camp Musicians, and Blacksmiths.