Battle of Fort Myers, FL was fought on February 25, 1865

[Harvo]

I have been trying to find out where this battle actually took place. Everything I have read makes it seem like it happened in North Fort Myers somewhere. Any info. would be great. Harvo

 

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[ECS]

Union Fort Meyers served as a supply depot for the Union Blockade Squadron,and under the command of US Capt Henry A Crane,raided Confederate cattle supply depots (Punta Rassa,for one),attacked CSA Fort Meade,and with CSA deserter who joined the Union,US Lt James D Green,looted and burned the homesteads of Confederate supporters.
In retailation for these raids,CSA Major William Footman led 275 men from CSA Fort Thompson(LaBelle),February 20,1865,under a flag of truce and gave the Union troops 20 minutes to surrender.Garrison commander,US CAPT James Doyle,refused,and the "Cow Cavalry" bombarded the fort with their single field piece.Doyle responded with Fort Meyers three cannons,and the firefight continued until after nightfall,when Footman and his men withdrew under the cover or darkness.
If you go to the TREASURE LEGENDS/SWAMP GOLD thread,starting around page 28,much of Florida's Civil War is discussed,with links to soldiers diaries from Fort Meyers,CSA gold stories,the "Cow Cavalry",St Johns and Oklawaha River skirmishes,etc.Warning:You will have to skip through some inane bickering. HH

 

[Diver_Down]

Welcome to TNet. Fort Myers had numerous skirmishes in the area during the Civil War. After the fall of Vicksburg in '63, Florida became the provider of beef for Confederate forces further north as the Mississippi had essentially fallen under Federal control. Fort Myers would serve as the central point for Federal forces to conduct inland raids to disrupt the supply of cattle northward. Union General Woodbury was so successful in his efforts that it led to the formation of the Confederate Cow Cavalry whose duty was to protect and escort the cattle northward. In late '64, Confederate leaders realized they needed to act on a larger scale. In February '65, Major William Footman led two companies of two hundred men south from Tampa. The plan: To surprise the Union garrison; capture them; and burn the Fort down. Phase 1 was a success as Footman led the companies of soldiers to the Fort in darkness and surprised and captured the guards. But at this point, the plan fell apart and led to it's failure. Instead of rushing the sleeping garrison, Footman demanded the Union surrender under a flag of truce. The Union declined abiding them time to plan the defense. The Confederates awaited until noon the next day and demanded the surrender again. When the Union refused for the second time, the engagement began. Fighting raged throughout the day and by next morning the Confederacy withdrew. The Confederacy efforts were all for naught as the Federal forces abandoned Fort Myers in March '65.

So in summary the engagement took place outside of Fort Myers in the immediate vicinity with the Confederate approach from the North and East as the Federal pickets were captured at Billy's Branch. (I just realized that in my response my reference to Fort Myers is the actual Seminole War fort not the modern day town's name).

 

[dbag1969]

I lived in Fort Myers for 20 years . While I was living there ,there was a road/sewer project downtown that opened up the bare soils and archaeologists were brought in and discovered what were grave sites attributed to the fort and were documented and all artifacts(bone fragments and wooden casket fragments mostly) found were removed before construction continued. I personally visited the site and saw the outlines of where the caskets were formally buried. The Ft Myers grounds are in the old downtown district hence the reason for removal of all the graves from that area in the sake of progress. The original old Tamiami Trail (bus. 41) went right over the old Fort grounds . Additionally North Ft. Myers was lake and swamp off the Caloosahatchee River and was a rustic resort area before it was filled in To make way for the Tamiami Trail. You can still see some of the coral rock cabins just north of the river that served as rentals for the resort. Punta Rassa on the way to Sanibel was the major shipping port during the Seminole wars and the Civil War. Diving in that area of the Sanibel Harbor Resort near the Causeway has yielded many C.W. artifacts although diving conditions are very hazardous due to current ,visibility and boat traffic . Fatalities of artifact hunting divers have been documented. Another aspect of interest is just east of downtown at Billy Creek named after Billie Bowlegs who camped there with his warriors while awaiting deportation after their surrender to Federal Forces. I hope this information is of some use to you.. Good luck and HH.

PS: From I have read and what I have personally seen I would be confident in placing the skirmish on the south side of the river between the Edison Bridge/ Park Ave and Billy creek along what is now State rd 80/ Palm Beach Blvd.

 

[Harvo]

Thank you, I found the thread, I did a google search Swamp Gold. There is a lot of interesting information.
I remember when I was 12 my dad took me to the Fort Myers Battle reenactment, it was in North Fort Myers, that does not necessary mean that is were it happened. I did some research online and read it took place north of the river. Which puts it in NFM. My goal is to try and find a cannon ball...

 

[Harvo]

. Another aspect of interest is just east of downtown at Billy Creek named after Billie Bowlegs who camped there with his warriors while awaiting deportation after their surrender to Federal Forces. I hope this information is of some use to you.. Good luck and HH.

PS: From I have read and what I have personally seen I would be confident in placing the skirmish on the south side of the river between the Edison Bridge/ Park Ave and Billy creek along what is now State rd 80/ Palm Beach Blvd.

I went down to Billy Creek today to look around. I did not have my MD. The creek runs thru a pretty rough area. I would be worried about getting my MD stolen... Also, alot of the areas that I looked at that may be good sites to MD, have signs from the City of Fort Myers saying no trespassing. I am not sure if this is because it is historical or keeping the homeless out.

 

[Mekong Mike]

I think the signs are to keep out the riff raff, not history buffs. If you go with a partner to watch your back you should be ok.

 

[Harvo]

I think the signs are to keep out the riff raff, not history buffs. If you go with a partner to watch your back you should be ok.

That cracked me up. I think the city policy would have an issue with history buffs with a metal detector on posted property. I think I will pass on that location. I came across another spot that I wanted to check out. It is a county park, it is fenced with razor wire the gates are locked, a sign is posted saying you are required to use the park entrance but there is not one, it also states that removal of destruction of cultural artifacts is prohibited. The only way to access this park is by going into the water and around the gate. The park is not listed on the counties website.

 

[Harvo]

I went out to Punta Rassa to try and MD. Fort Dulaney was in at Punta Rassa from 1835 to 1865. I was able to locate the old telegraph building, this photo was online; There is a lot of no Trespassing signs posted, and a guard gate to get to another area I wanted to check out. I did MD to the left just before crossing the Sanibel bridge. No real luck, good experience using the AT Pro by salt water.