| Braddock Farm - February 1865 by Gil Wilson |
| The fight near Braddock's Farm is really two incidents in one for the Union and one outing for the Confederates. It represents second loss of a St. Augustine commander in months and the second loss of a commander of the Connecticut Seventh Regiment. For the south it represents the ability of the Confederates even at this late date in the war to stage a significant raid behind Union lines and escape with prisoners and supplies across the St. Johns River. From Dickison and His Man by Mary Elizabeth Dickison (his wife)( Edited) FIGHT NEAR BRADDOCK FARM IN VOLUSIA COUNTY. Until February, 1865, Captain Dickison, as post- commander, had heavy duty to perform—the enemy continually making demonstrations for another invasion, and requiring all the strategic skill of our little force to keep them in check. Our outposts, near Green Cove Springs, Palatka, and up the St. John's river as far as Volusia county, were kept constantly engaged. Learning from his scouts on the east side of the river that the force of the enemy's garrison at Picolata was about four hundred strong, and were becoming very troublesome and insulting to our loyal citizens, Captain Dickison at once resolved on an expedition across the river if he could gain the consent of his commanding general, and arrange some plan for the relief and protection of these unfortunate people. He telegraphed the general, asking permission to cross the river with his command. The general replied that he would leave it to his good judgment, but to be very cautious as the enemy were in large force at Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs and St. Augustine, with their gunboats in the river. He at once decided to cross the river and reconnoiter near the enemy's stronghold. He ordered his men to prepare five days' rations, as he could not take any transportation farther than the river. His cavalry consisted of detachments from his Company H of sixty-four men, under Lieutenants McCardell and McEaddy, thirty-three from Company B of the same regiment, under Lieutenant McLeod, and twenty- eight from Company H of the Fifth Battalion of Cavalry. His destination was not confided to his command until he reached the St. John's river, as it was well known that danger and great risk attended this movement. On the 8th of February, just at sunset, they reached the deserted city of Palatka, the objective point to cross the river. He then formed his men into line, and in a few words made it known to them that he intended crossing over into the enemy's lines. He said: " My brave soldiers, we are going to cross the river tonight. I expect to lead you where there is danger. We must protect our friends on the east side of the river. The wagons will return to Waldo, and if there is a man who does not wish to follow me, he can return with the wagons." The distance across the river was one mile, their only transportation one flatboat, that could carry but twelve men and horses. They were all night and until ten o'clock the next morning making the passage over, where they all landed safe and in fine spirits. They had a long and circuitous route to march to reach Picolata, their march continuing until two o'clock that night. When within one mile of the fort, Captain Dickison called a halt. He ordered that a young soldier in his command, whose father lived inside the picket lines, be summoned, and asked if he thought he could manage to pass through the picket line with a message to his father that he wished to see him. Like a truly brave soldier, he accepted the trust, and soon returned accompanied by his worthy parent, who, in conversation with the captain, informed him that the enemy had been re-enforced that day with about four hundred men, and had several pieces of artillery in position on the fort. With such reliable information, he knew it would be only a sacrifice of his brave little command to attack this stronghold without artillery. The same informant reported that, at a certain house on the road from Jacksonville to St. Augustine, also leading from Picolata, there was to be a large assembly of the people that night from St. Augustine and Jacksonville for a dance, and, as many of the fair sex would grace the occasion, there would be a goodly company of Federal officers and young soldiers in attendance, having no apprehension of an attack from " Dixie," the pet name given by them to Captain Dickison. About twelve miles off, on the road to this house, was a station where several soldiers and horses were kept. The captain sent down his line to arouse his men, who, from loss of rest after a long and toilsome march, would often fall asleep as soon as a halt was ordered. Soon they were all ready to march, and moved on with great rapidity to reach, if possible, each respective place before daylight. Arriving at the station, they came upon twelve Federal cavalry with as many horses; all were made prisoners in quick time. Then on they pressed toward the banquet hall. Placing a detachment on the road leading to St. Augustine, and one on the road to Jacksonville, just at the dawn of day Captain Dickison moved up in the rear. As he drew near the house he saw two officers, a major with his adjutant, riding off. He dashed up to them and demanded a surrender, which was not refused. These officers belonged to the garrison at Picolata. Then on to the house our command rushed. Several soldiers, with one captain and one lieutenant, were captured. Our boys, who were awaiting them by the roadside, next captured the band of musicians, composed of twelve young soldiers, in a fine four-horse ambulance, on their way to St. Augustine. They were ordered to halt by our young vigilants, who said: "We want that carriage to take a ride." We captured at the two places about forty men, including four officers, also eighteen horses and one fine ambulance. While at this place, Captain Dickison learned, through a reliable source, that Colonel Wilcoxon, with the Seventeenth Connecticut and ten large six-mule wagons had gone up the road, known as the old Government road, in the direction of Volusia county. Dividing his command, taking fifty-two men with one lieutenant to follow in pursuit of Colonel Wilcoxon, leaving the remainder, under Lieutenants Haile, Haynes and McCardell, with the guard in charge of the prisoners, with orders to move on by the way of Haw's creek and meet him at or near Braddock's farm, about six miles east of the river, he rapidly proceeded with his detachment, Lieutenant McEaddy commanding the advance guard. They had marched but a few miles when Lieutenant McEaddy met a detachment of cavalry under Captain Staples, and a sharp engagement took place. He captured one man and two horses, the others making their escape in the swamp near by. Upon reaching the main road, it was very evident that the report given was correct, the road being cut up by the wagons, and signs of the enemy having passed. A bright moonlight smiling upon them, they continued to press forward until midnight, when they reached a small farmhouse. Some of the command informed the captain that two of the occupants were deserters from our army. He ordered a halt. Leaving Lieutenant McEaddy in command, he advanced with ten men to the house, and surrounded it before he was discovered. The madam came out and met the captain, who passed for a Federal colonel, his ten men wearing blue overcoats. He addressed her as a rebel woman. She assured him she was a loyal Union woman, that her two sons had deserted from the Confederate army and were then concealed in the swamp, and would remain there until they could hear that Dickison had recrossed the river, as they had been routed by his men two nights before. The captain informed her that he was then on his way with his cavalry to protect Colonel Wilcoxon in the rear. She replied that the colonel had rested there the day before and dined with her. Just then some of our command rode up who were not attired in blue overcoats. Fearing that she would discover the deception, as they were dismounting and coming in the yard for water, he called her attention to them, and remarked, " they are some of Dickison's men we have captured," at the same time ordering his men in blue to guard the prisoners well and not let one escape. With an earnest " God bless you, Colonel," from her patriotic heart, she threw her arms around him and begged him to capture " that man Dickison." He replied: "I will get him before he crosses the river." Some of the men were at the barn getting fodder. She appealed to the supposed colonel to protect her stores. He walked to the gate, accompanied by her, and ordered his men not to take that fodder, as it belonged to a good Union woman. " Oh, if they need it, let them have it;" she said. He then promised her payment for the same. When ready to leave the house, another difficulty arose. He had only Confederate money to offer her, and this currency had no value on that side of the river. He extricated himself from this dilemma by a promise that when the wagons returned, he would direct his quartermaster to furnish her supplies of flour and coffee as an equivalent. With reiterated blessings, she clasped him in another and warmer embrace, with all the strength of her two hundred pounds, honest weight. He then bade her a tender farewell, with a renewal of his promises. An old Union woman embracing their captain for a Federal officer, was too amusing an incident not to be enjoyed by his men. Their sense of the ridiculous was too keen to be held in abeyance, and for the time their merriment gained the mastery. After moving on a few miles, a halt was ordered for an hour, and, with our scant rations, both men and horses were refreshed. We continued our march, every few miles meeting deserters on their way to St. Augustine. Captain Dickison riding at the head of his advance, his men still wearing blue overcoats, on coming up, would address them as rebels. They would deny the charge, declaring they had deserted from the Confederate army and were good Union men. As they had passed Colonel Wilcoxon and his command, they gave all the information we desired to gain about the strength of his force, and were then sent to the rear as prisoners. On the evening of the third day, when within two miles of Wilcoxon, we met two deserters in carts driving on the road to the ancient city. The captain, with a similar stratagem, learned that they were just from Colonel Wilcoxon's headquarters, at Braddock's farmhouse, only two miles distant, and that they were making ready to start with their wagons loaded with cotton. They also stated that Wilcoxon had inquired of them if they knew anything of Dixie, and that they had reported him as last heard from at Waldo. Captain Dickison then advanced a little nearer, halted, and arranged his little command for a desperate encounter, as he well knew the enemy outnumbered us two to one, and their regiment a fine and well disciplined one. He said to his men: "We will, in a few minutes, meet a force superior to us in numbers; are you willing to follow me?" In proud tones they replied: "We will follow you wherever you lead." He then gave order to Lieutenant McEaddy, the only commanding officer with him, except his surgeon, Dr. Williams: " Keep your men in good line to take ready for the charge. I will ride at the head of the advance, and at the signal, a wave of my handkerchief, you will charge up." Moving on slowly and with great caution, his surgeon by his side, he saw the enemy at some distance moving down a long hill with a heavy train of wagons. He could see them marching along in no particular order by the side of the wagons, having no advance guard, as they had just left their headquarters. A branch being between the enemy and our men, he ordered our advance, consisting of ten men, under the gallant Sergeant William Cox, to dismount and take a position at the branch and await orders. The enemy halted, not over one hundred and fifty yards distant, and our advance, under the excitement, fired into them without orders. Captain Dickison then ordered his brave boys to make a charge. The heart of any commander would have thrilled with proud delight at the spendid heroism they displayed. They fought as only brave men fight. Charging up to the long line of wagons, under a heavy fire, they pressed on until the enemy gave way, and fell back to the woods pursued by our intrepid dragoons. The captain demanded a surrender, ordering them to throw down their arms. This was all done before they had time to learn the strength of our force. As we passed the wagons in the charge, Captain Dickison said to his surgeon: "Remain with the wagons, and stop our advance as they come up." At this juncture, Lieutenant McEaddy, in making ready for a charge, struck a pond around which he, with a few of his command, made the charge, Colonel Wilcoxon, with his staff and a detachment of twenty cavalry, being at that moment ready to meet him. They charged down the hill upon pur men, coming up near where the prisoners had surrendered. Our command then fired into the colonel's escort, who dashed off on the road toward the wagons, where a lively fight ensued, our surgeon and Sergeant Cox, with ten men, killing and capturing every one except Colonel Wilcoxon. He fought fearlessly ; after firing his last shot, he threw his pistol at one of our soldiers, then drew his sword and started down the road, where two or three men were guarding the prisoners. There was but one way for him to make his escape, between this guard and Captain Dickison, who was on the watch, fearing the prisoners would revolt. Seeing this officer approaching, not knowing who he was, he rode on to meet him, and demanded a surrender. Driven to desperation, he drew his sword and made a furious charge at the captain, who fired, the shot taking effect in his left side. As their horses were moving rapidly, they passed each other. Captain Dickison quickly turned and soon gained upon his adversary, whose glittering sword flashed defiance. Again the captain fired with sure aim, the saber strokes falling heavy and fast. One more shot, and his antagonist fell. At this moment one of our men rode up, and the wounded man was left in his care. The fight ended. Captain Dickison," on inquiring, learned that Colonel Wilcoxon was not among the prisoners. He looked in the direction he had left the wounded officer and saw him approaching, leaning upon the arm of the young guard, who called to Captain Dickison that Colonel Wilcoxon desired to see him. The captain dismounted to meet him, with an emotion that stirs the heart of every brave man, for " the bravest are the tenderest," and addressed him : " Colonel, why did you throw your life away?" The colonel, with true manhood, replied: "Don't blame yourself, you are only doing your duty as a soldier ; I alone am to blame." Our noble surgeon soon came up and greeted the unfortunate officer as a brother, united by the " mystic tie." He was tenderly cared for and wrapped in the Standard of the Masonic Brotherhood, one of the noblest orders that ever enlisted the sympathies or engaged the services of mankind, bearing no stain of blood nor mark of carnage upon its fair folds, but consecrated to God and suffering humanity. He was faithfully ministered to by true and brave hearts until his ear was deaf to earth's rude alarms, and the weary spirit peacefully departed to its eternal rest. Our victory was a decided and brilliant one. The entire command was captured, about seventy-five in number; four were killed and a few wounded. Their wagon-train consisted of ten fine wagons, each with six mules and horses, with best equipments, all loaded with Sea Island cotton that had been stolen and stored at Braddock's farm. We captured also, all their fine cavalry horses, some of them the best in the Federal army. Not a man hurt on our side. We were about eight or ten miles from the St. John's river, and up to this time had heard nothing of Lieutenant McCardell's command, which had left us three days previous with instructions to meet our detachment at or near this place. Considerable anxiety prevailed in regard to their safety, increased by the great difficulty to be met in making a successful crossing of the river with our force, and so large a capture. We moved on for about three miles. Night coming on, a halt was ordered. Captain Dickison then sent a detachment of four men to a crossing known as " Horse Landing," about six miles off, to order the flatboat brought over by the time he would reach the landing next morning. Before crossing the river, he had directed Captain McGahaghan, who was at Horse Landing with an infantry company of reserves, for the purpose of removing the machinery of the gunboat Columbine, we had captured at that point, to be ready to assist him, when he returned from his expedition. Early next morning, on our arrival at the landing, we found the boat ready. The position being a very critical one, apprehending that the enemy would soon follow with a large force to cut us off, an almost impenetrable swamp to our right and the broad St. John's in front giving them the advantage, called forth all. He fully understood the difficulties of the situation. He knew, should Lieutenant McCardell come up, he would then have about two hundred and fifty men and over two hundred horses, with ten heavily-loaded wagons and two ambulances, to be crossed over to the western side of the river, and his only transportation, one flatboat, with capacity to carry one wagon or twelve men and horses. Fortunately, the infantry company of about seventy men, on the opposite shore, would render valuable assistance in unloading each transport. He then made a detail of three detachments, sufficiently strong to manage the boat, and respectively take command. At ten o'clock a. m. they began their difficult and arduous task. The prisoners were first sent over, then the captured wagons and horses, until all were safely landed. Day and night these dauntless men worked with such caution and accuracy, not a mistake was made either in loading or discharging. The boat was never stopped until the last man, horse and wagon were safely landed on the west side of the St. John's river. While this grand and most remarkable transit was going on, a courier reported that Lieutenant McCardell and command were all safe and would soon be up. On their arrival, they gave most efficient help to our tired men, who had so often crossed and recrossed the river in performance of their arduous and perilous duty. By eleven o'clock the next morning, a period of only twenty-five hours, the last boat landed, bearing our noble captain. Long repeated shouts of welcome greeted him, and glad hosannas arose from every grateful heart. After ten days from the time Captain Dickison left his headquarters, he returned with his command. The bearer of these dispatches was the gallant young Ambler, a member of Company H, whose fearlessness and remarkable executive ability admirably fitted him for any important trust. Loved and respected by his captain and fellow soldiers, he was, on many occasions, sent as courier where great promptness and fidelity were especially called for. On this memorable occasion, as on every other, he was not found wanting, and soon the electric current did its heaven-directed work. The wires flashed joy into every heart, and loud peans were heard from every home in this " land of flowers," and the good tidings borne to our sister States made glad the whole Southland, for all hearts beat as one that were enlisted in our sacred cause. Headquarters South Florida Force Walso, East Florida, February 9, 1865 MAJOR: I have the honor respectfully to report that on the morning of the 1st instant I left this encampment with the following detachment of my command: Company H, 2nd Florida Ca., 64 men, commanded by Lieutenant's McCardell & McEaddy; Company B, of the same regiment, 33 men, commanded by Lieutenant McLeod; Company H, 5th Fla. Battalion, 23 men commanded by Lieutenant Hayes, Brantley, and Haile. On the evening of the 2nd instant I crossed the St. John's River at Palatka and moved in the direction of Picolota. When within a mile of the post I found it impractical to make a successful attack. I then made a flank move in the direction of St. Augustine and Jacksonville, where I captured 17 prisoners, including a captain and lieutenant, with an ambulance. I then learned that a raiding party had left St. Augustine for Valencia. Dividing my command into two parties, sending one by the King's Road toward Pallicier Creek, the other by Cowpen Branch, my advance met a small party of the enemy and captured one of them. We continued our march and met the enemy at Braddock's Farm, where I engaged them, taking 51 prisoners (including a Lt. Col. & 2 captains), killing 4 men (including the adjutant), also 18 deserters & tories, 10 wagons & teams with seed cotton (about 9,000 pounds), and a number of small arms and horses. I re-crossed the river on the 6th instant without the loss of a man. My officers and men behaved most gallantly, & deserve the highest praise for their conduct & obedience to orders. The march was very hard & fatiguing, having undergone hard travel both day & night to accomplish my design. I sent in all 68 Yankee prisoners and 18 deserters. All of which is respectfully submitted. I am, Major, yours respectfully, J.J. Dickison Captain, Commanding Forces Wilcoxon's Sword "ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., March 23, 1865. " Captain J. J. Dickison: "SIR: I have heard that you are a most kind and honorable gentleman and a Freemason. Believing this to be a fact, I, as the widow of an honored Mason and brave soldier, appeal to you for a great favor. " The sword which my husband, the late Lieutenant- Colonel Wilcoxon, wore at the time of his capture by you, was presented to him by his brothers of the " Mystic Tie," members -of St. John's lodge, of Nor- walk, Conn., in token of the high esteem in which they held h1m. If you are a Mason, you will understand the value which he placed upon the gift, and why I so strongly desire to possess it, in order that I may re-present it to the lodge. "Is it possible for you to return it to me? or, if it has passed out of your immediate possession, can you in any way effect the restoration of it to me? The centennial celebration of the St. John's lodge takes place in May next. Earnest have been the entreaties from the brotherhood that the colonel would make an effort to be with them at that time. He will be present with them at that time in spirit, without doubt. What would I not give to be able to place in their hands the sword which, though it passed from my husband's hands in such a manner, has never been dishonored ! Yours respectfully, " MRS. ALBERT H. WILCOXON." 'CAMP BAKER, WALDO, FLA., March 31, 1865. "Mrs. Albert H. Wilcoxon, St. Augustine, Fla.: " MADAM : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d instant, which reached me a few days ago by flag of truce. " Previous to the receipt of your letter, at the request of your husband, I had concluded to send you the sword which was worn by him at the time of his capture. It is unusual, in time of war, to return captures of this description, but, in this instance, I will deviate from that course, on account of the feelings I entertained for your husband as a brave officer. With this, I send you his sword, trusting that it may reach you safely. " I am, madam, yours respectfully, "J. J. DICKISON, " Captain Commanding Forces." Another View from Esther Hill Hawks Diary The sad news is brought to us that the ten government teams which left St. Augustine under the escort of about forty men and the Lt. Col.of the 17 Conn. were captured after a desperate resistance from our men by Dickinsons band of 200 cavelry. Col. Wilcoxson was seriously wounded as was the Adj. who was most brutally murdered and burried on the spot. It was only four miles out from the city and since, the body has been exhumed. It was found buried in a hole about one and one half feet deep and three feet long, the body bent doubleand crowded in and the skull broken and face terribly disfigured. Poor Chatfield! little more than a boy! cultivated, refined and amiable! Every one loved him! Only a week before, he, full of life versed every part of the old Ft. with me, pointing out what had been and still being done to make Ft. Marion one of the strongest and best defences in the world. He gathered flowers for us, which were growing far up the wall, and in every way, did all in his power, for our comfort and amusement--and now his terrible death thrills us with horror. |
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| Captain James J. Dickison CSA |