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

Cries and Cheers

Photographed by Mark Hilton

1. Cries and Cheers Marker

Inscription. Colquitt's brigade gradually advanced until they were nearly on the enemy's left flank. The Yankees broke and fled, and the Rebels knew they had won.

“The whole line moving as directed, the enemy gave way in confusion. We continued the pursuit for several miles, when night put an end to the conflict.” – Brigadier General Alfred Colquitt

Before the day had ended, the casualties were staggering. The Union suffered 1,861 killed, wounded, and missing. The Confederate's casualties totalled 946. The Olustee, defeat ended Union efforts to organize a loyal Florida government in time for the 1864 election. The Confederates won the Battle of Olustee, but would eventually lose the Civil War.

"I went over the battleground this morning on my way to camp and never in my life have I seen such a distressing sight, some men with their legs carried off, others with their brains out and mangled in every conceivable way and then our men commenced stripping them of their clothing and left their bodies naked. I never want to see another battle or go on the field again after it is over."

– Winston Stephens,
2nd Florida Cavalry

Erected by Florida

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 30° 12.918′ N, 82° 23.489′ W. Marker is near Olustee, Florida, in Baker County. It can be reached from Battlefield Trail 0.3 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.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Retreat (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Olustee Battlefield (about 800 feet away); The Yankees are Coming (about 800 feet away); The Battle Intensifies (approx.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2025

2. Cries and Cheers Marker

0.2 miles away); Fight or Die (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confusion Under Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Olustee (approx. 0.2 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.)

View from marker towards visitors center (can be seen between trees on right). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

3. View from marker towards visitors center (can be seen between trees on right).

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

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020

4. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.