Since I have been in command in this military district several raids have been made on it, and one demonstration of a more formidable nature, designed to get possession of St. Marks and this city. All have been frustrated with little loss to us, and in a manner highly creditable to those of our troops engaged. The first was made from Cedar Keys by a party of from 600 to 700 men on the 9th of February. It was thought they intended to penetrate by way of Newnansville to the railroad bridge, over the Suwannee river. I sent a party of the reserves and Second cavalry to Newnansville, under Brigadier-General Miller, and directed Capt. J. J. Dickison with his command to endeavor to get in rear of the enemy. Finding, I suppose, that they would encounter more opposition than they expected, they did not advance as far as Newnansville, but fell back to a position, ‘No. 4,’ on the Florida railroad, near Cedar Keys. Captain Dickison attacked them early on the morning of the 13th ult., and though his numerical strength was scarcely a sixth to that of the enemy, in a sharp fight of
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Newton, promising the negro troops, ‘that should the expedition prove successful and Tallahassee be taken, they would be at liberty to sack the city.’
But our victory at Natural Bridge was a signal one, and again were the invaders foiled in their long cherished design to get possession of Tallahassee.
Many instances of individual gallantry could be recorded, but where all fought with such dauntless intrepidity, not once wavering in their steady advance upon the enemy, repulsing them at every charge, they are all entitled to the highest commendation.
The Kilcrease artillery, Gamble's battery commanded by Capt. Patrick Houston, and a section of Dunham's battery under Captain Raube, acted in the most gallant manner, dealing death and destruction to the invaders and contributing largely to the result of the battle.
This battle and the operations closely preceding it were officially reported by Gen. Sam Jones on March 20, 1865, from Tallahassee, as follows:
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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