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Florida State Parks are managed as natural systems. All plant and animal life is protected in state parks. Hunting, livestock grazing and timber removal are not permitted. Do not remove, deface, mutilate or molest any natural
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Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
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Pets are not allowed in camping areas, on bathing beaches, in concession areas and may be restricted
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State Park Guide
To discover and experience all of the Real Florida at Florida's 145 state parks, ask a Park Ranger
where you can pick up a copy of the Florida State Park Guide, or call 850/488-9872.
Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site is located six miles east of Woodville, off S.R. 363 on Natural Bridge Road.
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NATURAL
BRIDGE BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
Gibson's unexpected delay provided just enough time for a Confederate
messenger to travel to Tallahassee and warn the citizens of the danger
to the Capitol caused by the Union landing. In an effort to defend the
Capitol, every man and boy who could bear arms volunteered to join the
thin ranks of the Confederate Army. The forces were made up of wounded
confederate soldiers home to recuperate, men as old as 70 and cadets as
young as 14 from West Florida Seminary (now Florida State University).
The Confederate troops, commanded by General William Miller, were taken
to Newport to prepare a defense.
On March 5, Union General Newton advanced past the East River Bridge,
causing Confederate troops from the Fifth Cavalry to withdraw to the Newport
Bridge on the St. Marks River. The Confederate cavalry was joined by the
volunteers from Tallahassee, where they gained enough strength to force
Newton to take a round-about route to Natural Bridge. Miller, who had
second-guessed Newton's attempted surprise crossing, sent Confederate
forces under Lt. Colonel George Scott on an overnight march to defend
the crossing.
In the pre-dawn hours of the following day, a series of skirmishes lasting
about 10 hours occurred along the narrow natural bridge. Confederate forces,
made up of 500 to 700 men, fought off three major attacks and several
minor attempts by Union forces of nearly equivalent strength. The Union
troops, having decided that the bridge was impassable, began a hasty retreat.
By sundown on March 7, Union soldiers were in the protection of their
own fleet. Newton, feeling that he had not been adequately supported by
the Navy, took his troops back to Key West. Union losses totaled 21 killed,
89 wounded and 38 captured. Confederate losses were three killed and 22
wounded.
For more information, contact
Natural Bridge State Historic Site
1022 Desoto Park Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 922-6007
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During the final weeks of the Civil War, the Battle of Natural Bridge preserved
Tallahassee as the only Confederate capitol east of the Mississippi River
never to fall into Union hands. Considered quite an accomplishment by historians,
the five-day battle concluded when a motley militia of old men and young
boys defeated seasoned Union troops.
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