Yulee in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Battle of Waterman's Bluff
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 20, 2018
1. The Battle of Waterman's Bluff Marker
Inscription.
The Battle of Waterman's Bluff. . During the War of 18 12, Georgia settlers invaded Spanish East Florida in an attempt to destabilize Spanish control and prevent British forces from using the region as a military staging ground. This conflict was known as the Patriot War. In March 1813, American forces encamped here on Eleazar Waterman's plantation because its commanding views of the Bells and Jolly rivers gave it strategic value. They remained throughout the spring and summer, living off of Waterman's crops and livestock. Spanish loyalists, coming by boat from Amelia Island and over land, attacked the American camp on August 8, 1813. Buckner Harris, the American commander, had thirty men well concealed in preparation for the attack. He and his men were able to turn back both Spanish assaults due to their superior position and by capitalizing on tactical mistakes of the Spanish. The battle lasted less than twenty minutes and resulted in eighteen Spanish casualties, six dead and twelve wounded. Harris’s victory at Waterman’s Bluff allowed American forces to launch further raids on the Fernandina region. Shifting politics in 1814, however, caused support for the Patriot War to dwindle, and the Americans were forced to abandon Spanish East Florida.
During the War of 1812, Georgia settlers invaded Spanish East Florida in an attempt to destabilize Spanish control and prevent British forces from using the region as a military staging ground. This conflict was known as the Patriot War. In March 1813, American forces encamped here on Eleazar Waterman's plantation because its commanding views of the Bells and Jolly rivers gave it strategic value. They remained throughout the spring and summer, living off of Waterman's crops and livestock. Spanish loyalists, coming by boat from Amelia Island and over land, attacked the American camp on August 8, 1813. Buckner Harris, the American commander, had thirty men well concealed in preparation for the attack. He and his men were able to turn back both Spanish assaults due to their superior position and by capitalizing on tactical mistakes of the Spanish. The battle lasted less than twenty minutes and resulted in eighteen Spanish casualties, six dead and twelve wounded. Harris’s victory at Waterman’s Bluff allowed American forces to launch further raids on the Fernandina region. Shifting politics in 1814, however, caused support for the Patriot War to dwindle, and the Americans were forced to abandon Spanish East Florida.
Erected 2016 by Trevett Building Systems, Inc. and the Florida Department of State
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. (Marker Number F-935.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is August 8, 1813.
Location. 30° 41.17′ N, 81° 32.974′ W. Marker is in Yulee, Florida, in Nassau County. Marker is on Southern Heritage Place just east of Lents Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located just inside the gate of the Waterman's Bluff subdivision. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yulee FL 32097, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Battle of Waterman's Bluff Marker just inside gate of subdivision.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 632 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.