Near Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Natural Bridge
March 6, 1865
Site of decisive repulse of Federal forces by Confederate Militia in joint U.S. Army and Navy Operation to take St. Marks.
The Army landing at lighthouse was prevented from getting to rear of St. Marks by Confederate opposition at Newport and Natural Bridge. The Federal Flotilla ran aground during ascent of River; it did not reach St. Marks. Their next objective would have been Tallahassee.
Federal (number) 893*, (killed) 21, (wounded) 89, (missing) 148.
Confederate (number) 595, (killed) 3, (wounded) 23, (missing) 0
Brig. Gen. William Miller - Confederate
Commander R. W. Shufeldt - U.S. Navy
Brig. Gen. John Newton - U.S. Army
* Of whom 500 were reported to have been at Natural Bridge.
Erected 1967 by Florida Board of Parks and Historical Memorials. (Marker Number F-143.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 30° 17.099′ N, 84° 9.145′ W. Marker is near Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. Marker is on Natural Bridge Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7502 Natural Bridge Road, Tallahassee FL 32305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Confederate Monument (here, next to this marker); Honoring the Confederate and Union Soldiers (here, next to this marker); Union Army (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Army (about 300 feet away); Nature's Bridge (about 500 feet away); Supplies Are Low (approx. 5.7 miles away); Site of the Former Town of Magnolia (approx. 6.1 miles away); Tallahassee - St. Marks Railroad (approx. 9.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.
Regarding Battle of Natural Bridge. The battlefield was named one of the most endangered battlefields of 2008 by Civil War Preservation Trust (now the American Battlefield Trust).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Battle of Natural Bridge
Also see . . .
1. Natural Bridge. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on May 10, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Natural Bridge State Historic Park. Florida State Parks website entry (Submitted on November 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Gallery: Battle of Natural Bridge. Exploring Florida website entry:
Additional photos of the battlefield. (Submitted on November 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Battle of Natural Bridge. Wikipedia entry:
Additional details of the battle. Note the Federal troops engaged in this action were U.S. Colored Troops. (Submitted on November 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. U.S. Colored Troops; USCT;
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,485 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on April 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on November 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on January 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.