2nd Florida Infantry

2nd Florida Infantry
Active July 1861 – April 10, 1865
Country  Confederate States of America
Allegiance Florida
Branch  Confederate States Army
Type Army Corps
Role Infantry tactics
trench warfare
Part of Army of Northern Virginia
Engagements American Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 George Taliafero Ward
Edward A. Perry


The 2nd Florida was organized on April and July 1861 and mustered into Confederate service for 12 months near Jacksonville, Florida on July 13, 1861 and joined Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the late summer. They fought at the Battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, and Malvern Hill in 1862.

In late 1862, the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment was assigned to E.A. Perry's newly formed Florida Brigade alongside the 5th and 8th Florida. Perry's Brigade served under Anderson’s Division of Longstreet’s First Corps, of the Army of Northern Virginia.[1]

They fought in the Battles of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Antietam from Aug-Sep 1862. Colonel David Lang took command of the Florida Brigade and led them at Fredricksburg in Dec 1862 and Chancellorsville in May 1863. Under Col. Lang's command the Florida Brigade fought at Gettysburg in July 1863. They were attached to Picket's Division, and took part in the famous attack on the Union center on the 3rd day.

After the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in 1864, the Brigade was joined by the victors of the Battle of Olustee, the 9th, 10th, and 11th Regiments. General Joseph Finegan, the famous commander of Florida forces at Olustee, took command of the Florida Brigade, then known as “Finegan’s Brigade”.[2]

In the last year of war the Florida Brigade fought at Cold Harbor in June 1864 and Petersburg during the winter. The Florida Brigade retreated with the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. By the time of surrender, the regiments were the size of modern day platoons or companies. The 2nd, 5th, and 8th surrendered 68, 53, and 32 men respectively. The 9th, 10th, and 11th surrendered 124, 162, and 23. Most of the 11th had been cut off in the Army’s retreat and had previously surrendered.[3]

Engagements and Battles

1862

1863

1864-1865

Assignments

Colonel George T. Ward
Officers of the 2nd Infantry Regiment
Rank Name
Colonel George Taliafero Ward (Leon Co.)
Colonel Edward A. Perry (Escambia Co.)
Lt. Col. Samuel St. George Rogers (Marion Co.)
Major William T. Ballantine
Major George W. Call (Madison Co.)
Major Walter R. Moore (Columbia Co.)
Major Lewis G. Pyles (Alachua Co.)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hawk, Robert. Florida's Army: Militia/State Troops/National Guard 1565-1985. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press Inc. 1986. Pg 96.
  2. ↑ Hawk, Robert. Florida's Army: Militia/State Troops/National Guard 1565-1985. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press Inc. 1986. Pg 98.
  3. ↑ Hawk, Robert. Florida's Army: Militia/State Troops/National Guard 1565-1985. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press Inc. 1986. Pg 100.
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