Free Kindle Books on Florida History: Today Only

As part of a special promotion, two of my books on Florida history are available today only (December 22nd) for FREE.
The Early History of Gadsden County, Florida, which focuses on key episodes in the history of Gadsden County from prehistoric times through the Civil War. Chapters detail Spanish exploration, the War of 1812, the First and Second Seminole Wars, the building of the U.S. Arsenal at Chattahoochee, early tobacco production in Gadsden County, discovery of the rare Florida Torreya tree, the seizure of the arsenal in 1861 and Gadsden County's role in the Battle of Natural Bridge. 

Please click here to download the Kindle edition today only for free:
The Early History of Gadsden County, Florida

A print edition is also available for $24.95 and can be ordered through Amazon by clicking here:
The Early History Of Gadsden County: Episodes From The History Of Florida's Fifth County

Old Parramore: The History of a Florida Ghost Town, which tells the unique story of a forgotten riverboat town on the little known Florida section of the famed Chattahoochee River. From the earliest known presence of ancient Native American hunters in the area through the town's decline prior to World War II, the book details the origins, rise and eventual disappearance of a prosperous riverboat town.

Please click here to download the Kindle edition today only for free:
Old Parramore: The History of a Florida Ghost Town

A print edition is also available for $19.95 and can be ordered by clicking here:
Old Parramore: The History of a Florida Ghost Town


I hope you enjoy the free reading!  Merry Christmas!

Nice Online Article on the Battle of Natural Bridge

There is a very nice article on the Battle of Natural Bridge, fought south of Tallahassee on March 6, 1865, in the new issue of Sweet Tea Journal.

The Journal is an online magazine published each quarter that explores points of interest and life in Norhtwest Florida.

Written by Jim Noles, the article includes a nice overview of the Battle of Natural Bridge and also discusses the importance of the battlefield as it exists today. Here is the link to the article: http://www.joe.com/Yankees_are_Landing-Article.

Be sure to take time to browse around some of the other pages and look at previous issues. It is an outstanding online magazine.

If you are interested in learning more about the Battle of Natural Bridge, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/nbindex or consider my book, The Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida: The Confederate Defense of Tallahassee. You can check it out on Amazon by clicking here.

Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge

Today marks the 144th anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida. Fought on March 6, 1865, along the banks of the St. Marks River south of Tallahassee, this battle preserved Tallahassee's status as the only Southern capital east of the Mississippi not conquered by Union forces during the Civil War.

One of the last significant Confederate victories of the war, the battle took place when a Union force commanded by General John Newton marched up the east bank of the St. Marks River after landing at the St. Marks Lighthouse. Prevented from crossing the river downstream at Newport, the Federals moved on the Natural Bridge hoping to seize the crossing before Confederate defenders could arrive. They failed.

For almost the entire day, the two forces battled for control of the bridge. The Confederate forces, commanded by Generals Samuel Jones and William Miller, entrenched on high ground overlooking the Natural Bridge, forcing the Federals to charge them eight times in a futile effort to break their lines. Both sides fought heroically, but in the end the Union soldiers were forced to withdraw back to the Gulf of Mexico.

The site is preserved today at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park. Located near Woodville, a town south of Tallahassee, the park features monuments and interpretive signs, preserved earthworks from the battle, a picnic area and beautiful views of the St. Marks River. The annual battle reenactments take place at the park this weekend, with the main events set for Sunday when there will be a memorial service at 1 p.m. (Eastern) followed immediately by the main reenactment.

For more information on the battle, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/nbindex.

Battle of Natural Bridge Reenactment set for March 7-8

The annual reenactment and memorial service for the Battle of Natural Bridge will be held on March 7-8 at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park south of Tallahassee.

Fought on March 6, 1865, this battle was one of the last significant Southern victories of the Civil War and preserved Tallahassee's status as the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not captured by Union forces during the war.

The two days of events will include living history events, reenactments, etc. The main events will take place on Sunday, March 8th, with a short memorial service set for 1 p.m. (Eastern) immediately followed by the main battle reenactment.

The Battle of Natural Bridge was significant for a number of reasons. On the Confederate side, the troops fighting included the cadets from the West Florida Seminary (today's Florida State University). FSU's ROTC remains one of only three in the United States authorized by the Pentagon to carry a battle streamer. On the Union side, the battle involved the largest percentage of African American troops of any engagement in Florida. The 2nd and 99th U.S. Colored Troops fought at Natural Bridge, sustaining heavy casualties while making 8 separate charges against the Confederate defenders.

To learn more about the battle, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/nbindex.