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Written by Sandra Friend
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Page 3 of 4
 Coming up to a bench at 0.5 mile, the trail turns to the left. Look across the expanse of pines. Even in the middle of the day, you can see a fine mist. Although the chemistry of tree transpiration causes “smokes” and “fogs” in dense deciduous forests, the mist that perpetually hangs in this particular pine forest has an otherworldly feel. Like Gettysburg, this battlefield harbors its own ghosts. A bayhead forms the thick wall of vegetation behind the pines to the right. This dense swamp proved fatal for many, blocking off the soldier’s retreat.
As the trail rounds a curve to the left, it heads along the line of the Confederate positions. The railroad to their backs, they came in from the vicinity of Ocean Pond, where they had built a temporary earthworks fortress. When the advance guard of the Union troops met the Confederate scouts in this forest, the earthworks were abandoned, and the Confederates moved forward to meet the Union troops at this point. A small bridge elevates the trail over occasional drainage flows. At 0.9 mile, a bench sits at an intersection with a jeep trail from the right. Continue straight towards the next interpretive marker.
Blackjack oaks take over the understory under the pines as you approach the cross-trail. Continue straight, following the red arrow. Given the age of the pines in this forest, it’s interesting that you see no catfaces from the turpentine industry that flourished in this area. The 1899 Florida legislature raised the funds to purchase this land and protect it as a historic site, to honor the men who died here. As you continue to walk, you can see the flags flying behind the interpretive center, flanking a memorial monument that dates back to 1912. The loop ends at a bench. Turn right to walk back past the kiosk and over to the parking lot, completing your hike of 1.1 miles
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