| St. Augustine in the Civil War Page 6 1861-1865 ab urbe condita - 296 to 300 |
| 17th Connecticut Infantry Structure of the Government in 1864 Rev. T. W. Lewis, by Government authority, has taken possession of the Methodist Church edifice in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev Brinkerhoff was the Superintendent of Contrabands (from February 1863) and a Baptist Preacher. The services he conducted at the Methodist church were nondenominational. Greely was able to take over the Methodist building and Brinkerhoff moved to the Presbyterian Church. Greely also preached one Sunday a month in the Episcopal church. The soldiers of 17th Conn regiment were without a chaplain. (An agent of the Christian Commission would take over the roll of chaplain by 1865.) Another minister Rev. Greely moved from the African Methodist Church to the American Missionary Association. First Baptist Church The wartime–Union occupation of the Jacksonville area enabled such black evangelists as Ivey Barnes to travel about. Sometime during the early 1860s a small band of black Protestants in St. Augustine held meetings in the home of Deacon John Newnan. Barnes frequently journeyed from Jacksonville to St. Augustine to exhort the faithful gathered at Newnan’s home, but attracted little attention. Later, Hammie Williams organized a Baptist Sunday School consisting of ten children, seven of whom were Catholic. The Sunday School continued to grow, and on March 13, 1864, the First Baptist Church in St. Augustine was organized. The church called Reverend Barnes as its first pastor. Eventually, a lot on the corner of St. Francis and St. Benedict streets was purchased, and a wooden shack was erected as a house of worship. 17th Connecticut On April, 1864 the 17th Connecticut was sent from Jacksonville to St. Augustine to replace the 10th Connecticut. (See Dept of the South April 30, 1864.) It would stay through June 1865 when it would be replaced by the regular army.. On December 24 Col. William Nobel was captured on a buggy ride to Jacksonville (unarmed). He was taken to Andersonville where he remained to the end of the war. (Union Notice of Capture) (Confederate notice of capture) Almost coming home to St. Augustine JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 19, 1864. Brigadier-General HATCH, Comdg. Department of the South, South Carolina: My DEAR HATCH: I have received your order relieving the Seventeenth Connecticut Regiment from duty at Saint Augustine and assigning Colonel Montgomery with his old regiment to that port. I deem it so much my duty to represent to you the injury I think this change will work to the service that I dispatch this communication by the hands of my aide, Mr. Gray, for your consideration, with the hope that yon may be induced to reconsider and revoke your order, at least for the present. I have assigned command of all the troops east of the Saint Johns to Colonel Noble. These troops consist of the Seventeenth Connecticut, One hundred and fifty-seventh New York (six companies), Seventy-fifth Ohio Mounted Infantry (six companies), and Thirty-fifth Colored, Colonel Beecher. These troops occupy the region east of the Saint Johns, and are posted on the river as far south as Volusia. While the cavalry scout as far as Lake Harney, my Florida scouts going much further south. This force constitutes the movable column formed under your suggestion, and though guarding the river is held in readiness to raid on the other side; is indeed at this time in a state of preparation to move into Marion County and thence south as much as circumstances may dictate. I only wait to hear from my scouts to order the movement. Some of my scouts are already operating on the trestle-work and bridges of the Florida and Tallahassee Railroad, being perfectly prepared with inflammable substances and having been gone some days. I have no one to whom I can entrust the movement across the river with such assurances of success and safety as to Colonel Noble. I have no one whose judicious management and whose admirable government of the loyal people of Florida east of the Saint Johns could equal that of Colonel Noble. I have no one who understands my plans, and who can so well carry out my purposes (the plans and purposes we discussed) as Colonel Noble. Colonel Noble is a man of experience, a lawyer as well as a soldier, a statesman and a gentleman. He has a regiment of white troops whose influence and whose presence is much more favorable to the Government in winning back loyalty settlers and refugees than could Colonel Montgomery with his colored regiment. I say nothing of posting a regiment of black troops in Saint Augustine, for that is a matter of feeling with the inhabitants, but I think the act would be exceedingly injudicious. I very much wish Colonel Noble to retain command east of the Saint Johns. I am just reducing chaos to order. Colonel Noble is working out my plans and organizing the loyal Floridians into helpers for the Government with marked success. For these reasons I trust you will allow me to retain him. I do not know when or how to replace him. I therefore take the liberty of asking you to reconsider your decision, and leave Colonel Noble with his regiment east of Saint Johns for the present. I am thankful for the victories, but I pine to share them with the old Army of the Potomac. Ever faithfully, yours, GEO. H. GORDON, Brigadier- General of Vols., Comdg. Dist. of Florida. Organizing Loyal Floridians (Hartford Daily Courant, 7-12-1864) The 17th C. V. is stationed at St. Augustine, Fla. Col. Noble writes that he is organizing the loyal Floridians, and they perform guard duty at different points in an effective manner. One squad was recently sent into the interior and brought back a thousand head of cattle. The members of the regiment are well, there being very few on the sick list. Cucumbers, ripe plums, squashes, etc., are among the delicacies the soldiers are enjoying. New Commander for St. Augustine Commander HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Fla., August 25, 1864. Col. W. H. NOBLE, Commanding at Magnolia: COLONEL: The brigadier-general commanding directs the following disposition to be made of the Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteers: The regiment will form the garrison at Saint Augustine and Picolata. Six companies, including the smallest companies, to take post at Saint Augustine, under the command of the lieutenant-colonel of the regiment; four companies to be stationed at Picolata, under the command of the major of the regiment. You will remain for the present in command of the forces at Magnolia. By order of Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch: EDWARD L. ROGERS, Major 104th Pennsylvania Vols., A. A. A. G. Report on the Captured 10th Soldiers (Hartford Daily Courant 11-29-1864) After long months of anxiety and suspense as to the twenty-two men of our regiment captured at St. Augustine in December last, the story comes to us that the survivors of them are at Andersonville where a number of them have already died. Shepard of Co. A, and Chesley of Co. F., are among those known to be living at the latest dates from there. John Smith, of Co. E, 7th C. V., whose home is in New Haven, recently paroled from Andersonville, is said to be the authority for those statements. Getting the Courts Back into Operation Judge Philip Frasier who had been appointed by Lincoln as judge for the Northern Florida district complained that the military was the obstacle to the return of the civil courts. (See letter) 1865 Judge Frasier Tries Again January 5, 1865 Judge Frasier writes Abraham Lincoln again about interference from military especially John Gray Foster, Commander Department of the South (letter) Esther Hill Hawks Visits St. Augustine Along with Brig. Gen. Eliakim P Scammon who commanded the District of Florida, Quarter Master Moore and several pleasure seekers, Dr. Esther Hill Hawks went on board the Steamer Delaware to St. Augustine. ...went to Buffington's Hotel, no one up but the house was soon astir...called on the teachers--the Misses Smith (Cornelia J. and Ezia J. Smith), Miss Harris (Mary M) and Conant (Kate D. Conant). They live very prettily and comfortably in the family with the Methodist located at this post. Unlucky Regiment February 1865 made the 17th Connecticut the most unlucky regiment in St. Augustine. First members were lost to Captain Dickison at a dance, then dressed in the Union uniforms Captain Dickison attacked a force at Braddock Farm killing Col Albert H. Wilcoxon (Nobel's replacement). Before St. Augustine Col. Wilcoxon had been in charge of the regiment before as Col Nobel was in charge of a brigade. The following officers (as well as 50 men) were also captured in this action: Capt. French, Company G; Capt. Betts, Company F; Lieut. Ruggles, Company K; Capt. Quien, Company C. The Union also had its share of raids (See story: 3rd USCT). This group consisted of 16 members of the 3rd, 6 of the 34th USCT, 7 civilians and 1 member of the Ohio 107th Volunteers. Department of South Response HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, S. C., February 16, 1865. Brigadier General E. P. SCAMMON, Commanding District of Florida, Department of the South: GENERAL: I am directed by Major-General Gillmore, commanding department, to state that he regrets that another disaster should have happend to our troops in Florida after so many cautions to the contrary. The major-general commanding directs me to call your attention particularly to a letter from these headquarters, dated January 29, 1865, which distinctly says that hereafter no party shall be sent out less than 1,000 strong, except when scouts are sent to ascertain the position of the enemy. The report received from your headquarters states that the party captured lately, with Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcoxson in command, numbered only forty-eight men, with ten wagons, and that the entire party was captured. This, besides being a violation of instructions, certainly shows that either parties are sent out in your district without a sufficient knowledge of the strength of the enemy, or that, knowing their strength, the parties are invariably too small. The major-general commanding directs that a full report of this disaster be made as soon as possible, to be accompanies by copies of the orders under which the expedition went out, the object, and at whose instigation they were sent. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. M. BURGER, Assistant Adjutant-General. The New Commander After all the disasters of the 17th Connecticut Col. Benjamin C. Tilghman of the 3rd USCT was sent to the command of the post. By March 10, 1865 Tilghman was recalled to Jacksonville and on March 12 Major Henry Allen was appointed commander in St. Augustine. He was 22 years old. Major Allen was promoted to Lt. Col. on May 20, 1865. He would later marry Frances A. (Fannie) Remington in Providence,Rhode Island, the youngest daughter of Colonel Joseph R. Remington who had been the U. S. Marshall in Florida. Col. B. C. Tilghman, Third U. S. Colored Troops, Saint Augustine, Fla.: February 16, 1865 - COLONEL: Reports from Jacksonville contain the information that Brigadier- General Scammon is so seriously ill as to be unfit for any duty. Unless you have reliable information of his recovery before you receive this letter, you will proceed by the earliest conveyance to Jacksonville and report to district headquarters for duty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Q. A. GJLLMORE, Major- General, Commanding. Andersonville Thwarted Release In March of 1865 a prisoner release by the Confederates at Andersonville was attempted. It did not occur because the commander at St. Augustine could/would not sign the release form. (See St. Augustine's Civil War Most Disgraceful Episode.) Ad for Tax Sales - Ran in Northern papers -Daily National Republican, March 17, 1865 United States Sale of Lands for Unpaid Direct Taxes in the State of Florida Notice is hereby given that the several tracts or lots of land, situated in the county of St. Johns, State of Florida, have become forfeited to the United States, by reason of the non-payment of the direct tax charged thereon, under the act entitled “An set to provide increased revenue from imposts, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes,” approved August 5, 1861, and an act entitled “An act for the collection of direct taxes in insurrectionary districts within the United States, and for other purposes,” approved June 7, 1862, and the amendments to said act, approved February 6, 1865, and March 3, 1865, and that the same will be sold at public auction, on MONDAY, the 10th day of April, 1865, at the city of St. Augustine in said county of St. Johns. The tracts or lots of land to be sold as above embrace in the aggregate about FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES, a large proportion being covered with a heavy growth of HARD PINE and LIVE OAK Timber. There are several orange groves in full bearing, and very desirable Cotton and Sugar Plantations. The Long Staple or Sea Island Cotton can be grown throughout St. Johns county in as great perfection as on the coast Islands of South Carolina and Georgia. St. Johns county extends from the Atlantic ocean to the St. Johns river, which bounds it on the west. It has for harbors on the Atlantic, St. Augustine and Matanzas inlet. Oranges, lemons, limes, pomegranates, figs, guavas, olives and grapes grow in perfection throughout the county. The purchasers of lands and tenements is under the direct tax set acquire a title in fee simple, free and discharged from all prior liens and encumbrances of every description, whatsoever, for which the President is authorized to cause patents to be issued. L. D. Stickney, W. M. Alsop Austin Smith, Commissioners. Proclamation Closing the Port of St. Augustine - April 11, 1865 Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln. President of the United States, do hereby proclaim that the ports of Richmond, Tappahannock, Cherrystone, Yorktown, and Petersburg, in Virginia; of Camden (Elizabeth City), Edenton, Plymouth, Washington, Newbern, Ocracoke, and Wilmington in North Carolina; of Charleston, Georgetown, and Beaufort, in South Carolina; of Savannah, St. Marys, and Brunswick (Darien), in Georgia; of Mobile, in Alabama; of Pearl River (Shieldsboro), Natchez and Vicksburg, in Mississippi; of St. Augustine, Key West, St. Marks (Port Leon), St. Johns (Jacksonville), and Apalachicola, in Florida; of Teche (Franklin), in Louisiana; of Galveston, La Salle, Brazos de Santiago (Point Isabel), and Brownsville, in Texas, are hereby closed, and all right of importation, warehousing, and other privileges shall, in respect to the ports aforesaid, cease until they shall have again been opened by order of the President; and if while said parts are so closed any ship or vessel from beyond the United States or having on board any articles subject to duties shall attempt to enter any such port, the same, together with its tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, shall be forfeited to the United States. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this eleventh day of April, A.D., 1865, and of the independence of the United States of America, the eighty-ninth. Armistice (April 23, 1865) Headquarters District of Florida, Fourth Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, Jacksonville, Fla, April 23, 1865 Maj. Henry Allen, Seventeenth Conn. Vols., Comdg. Post, St. Augustine Fla.: Major: The general commanding directs me to instruct you not to relax your usual vigilance in guarding against surprise or observing the movements of the enemy on account of the suspension of hostilities represented by the Confederate authorities. The agreement in this district binds either party to give twenty- four hours' notice at the picket-line, near Jacksonville, before renewing hostilities. As it may be impossible to inform you at once of the breaking up of the armistice, the general desires that you will not be unprepared for offensive or defensive movements at any time. S. L:. McHenry, Assistant Adjutant-General. Lincoln's Death April 25, 1865 a schooner entered the St. Augustine Harbor with its flag at half-mast bearing the news that Abraham Lincoln was dead. Surrender of the Blues The Blues long four-year struggle ended on April 26, 1865 when General Joseph Johnston surrendered to General Sherman near Greensboro, North Carolina. At least 17 Blues died during the war, scores more were wounded, captured, or discharged for disability. Approximately 120 men served in the unit, but only 8 surrendered with the company in 1865. Response to Lincoln's Death Our hearts too were made to rejoice at glorious intelligence (Lee's surrender) and the Freedmen of this place seemed to feel doubly sure of their freedom which their old task-masters, especially mistresses, seemed to feel for the first time that there were signs of (?) and that all was lost! And they wept and groaned saying we shall never have our niggers back again. But when the news of the President's death came two or three days after, they took heart again” taunting the colored people about their dark prospect of being free and some of our people began to talk of going north to escape enslavement again, for as Massa Lincoln was gone they feared their hope was gone too. But their confidence settled back again into the strong arm of their God, which they said was above all and they would trust Him to carry their cause through. Harriet B. Greely to Whipple AMA April 29, 1865 Death of Mary Craft, daughter of Dr. Andrew Anderson (The New York Herald) April 29, 1865 On Friday, April 28, at Woody Crest, Westchester County, Mary wife of George L. Crafts and daughter of the late Andrew Anderson, M. D., of St. Augustine, aged 34 years. The funeral will take place on Monday morning, at ten o'clock, from the Church of the Intercession, Washington Heights. End of the War St. Augustine Historical Society, MC 10 Box 2, Folder 55 - 1865 Clarissa Anderson to Andrew Anderson-8 May 1865 Letter received by the Maj that the war was over. The soldiers made great demonstrations. But it does not remove the sadness caused by the president's death. It is hard to believe that our country is again at peace. The minute guns are now firing for our lamented president. How sad it makes me feel. Confederates Surrender in Florida (May 17-20) Confederate troops in Florida surrendered to Brigadier-General Vogdes, in compliance with terms agreed upon between Generals Johnston and Sherman. Paroled by Captain McHenry, assistant adjutant-general, at Baldwin, Lake City, and Waldo, Fla. High Ranking Visitors to Florida (May 18 and 19) Major. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, U.S. Volunteers, Chief Justice S. P. Chase, and other high officials visited Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Fernandina. New Troops for St. Augustine (May 31) Colonel Wallen, with seven companies Seventh U. S. Infantry, sent to relieve the volunteer forces at St. Augustine. (June 7 - five companies of the 17th Connecticut transferred to Jacksonville from Saint Augustine. June 17 Senator Yulee sent to Fort Pulaski. Post War and the Churches (September 1865) Rev. Brinkerhoff was ordered by Gen Saxton, to report for duty at Hilton Head, and that he should therefore leave by the first steamer, and probably not return to stay here. The Presbyterian Church which he has occupied since he left the Methodist, is about to be occupied by Rev. Mr. Reynolds (who would become the 2nd Superintendent of Schools for St. Johns County), an excellent Presbyterian Minister. Rev. Reynolds would later be appointed the Superintendent of Education for freedmen in St. Augustine by General Howard the brother of General O O Howard. See Andrew Johnson's Executive Order on Trade - April 29, 1865 See Andrew Johnson Proclamation removing Restrictions on Trade - June 18, 1865 See Andrew Johnson proclaims the end of the War of Rebellion Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address "Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations " Go to Page 7 |
| Abraham Lincoln - 1865 |
| Lieut Col Albert Wilcoxon 17th Connecticut Commander in St. Augustine Killed by Captain Dickison Died after Capture February 5, 1865 |
| Col William H. Noble, 17th Connecticut Commander at St. Augustine Captured by Captain Dickison Highest ranking prisoner at Andersonville U.S. Army and Heritage Center |
| Abraham Lincoln Mourning Medal |
| Lt. Col. Henry Allen 17th Conn Final Commander St. Augustine |
| Lieut. George B. Ruggles captured February 4, 1865 |
| Private Albert M. Allen Co A died in St. Augustine July 25, 1864 |
| Adjutant H. Whitney Chatfield Killed by Captain Dickison February 5, 1865 |
| Private Stephen Lewis - Co D. Captured February 5, 1865 |