Near Olustee in Baker County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hold That Line

Photographed By Mark Hilton

1. Hold That Line Marker

Inscription. About the time the North felt the day was lost, the 54th Massachusetts and the 1st North Carolina U.S. Colored advanced, staggering the enemy for a moment.

Around 5:00 p.m. the fire slackened on both sides as soldiers were running out of ammunition. The men searched the pockets of their fallen comrades, desperate for ammunition.

New supplies of ammunition arrived for Confederates. The entire line moved forward, led by the 27th Georgia, driving the Union forces from their positions. The battle waged furiously all along the line and the slaughter was terrible, but each man was determined to give his all.

Claiming to be the last to leave the field, the 54th Massachusetts heard their Lt. Col. Hooper say,

“Well boys we must hold this line, we must fix bayonets and stay in our tracks. The men shouted, 'We can do it.' They gathered all the cartridges from the field they could, and as the enemy advanced...the men would cheer so that the Rebels thought it was a trap and fell back. After some time our men were withdrawn a little way, and a line formed there as the army retreated our regiment fell hack taking different positions until off the field.”

– Major John W. M. Appleton,
54th Massachusetts

Erected by

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 30° 13.104′ N, 82° 23.648′ W. Marker is near Olustee, Florida, in Baker County. Marker can be reached from Battlefield Trail, 0.4 miles north of U.S. 90. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5815 Battlefield Trail, Olustee FL 32072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Bloody Massacre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle Rages (about 600 feet away); Retreat (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confusion Under Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle Intensifies (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cries and Cheers (approx. ¼ mile away); Fight or Die (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Yankees are Coming (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olustee.

Also see . . . Battle of Olustee article by the Olustee Battlefield Citizens Support Organization. (Submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Hold That Line Marker along battlefield trail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020

2. Hold That Line Marker along battlefield trail.

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020

3. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.