We left the house Thursday morning, February 25 and arrived at Ft. DeSoto Park (a Pinellas County Park) to set up for the weekend. This event, although not the original site of the Battle of Ballast Point, remembers that event. The host unit is the 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company A. We battled extreme winds in putting up the tents. The sutlers, mostly independent in setting up his or her own tent, helped each other fight the wind gusts to get our stores put together.
The Battle of Ballast Point
Well, it was not really a “battle” but one of the many skirmishes that took place near Tampa Bay, Florida in the 1860’s.
It was the morning of October 17, 1863 when the one hundred sailors, six officers and two guides disembarked from the USS Tahoma and USS Adela. They marched inland and set two Confederate blockade-running ships on fire. The blockade runners had been loaded with cotton and supplies.
One ship captain escaped and sounded THE ALARM at Fort Brooke (Tampa). A portion of the Florida Home Guard, known as the “Cowboy Cavalry” had been driving cattle northward, joined in the fray. The Confederates had the cover of the trees, while the Union forces were holding their ground on the open beach, awaiting boats to return them to the ships. Offshore gunboats soon opened fire, giving cover to the Union sailors and officers, so that they could make their retreat. The wounded were taken to Mullet Key which can be seen from the Park. (from Lewis Zerfas’ research)
The Park:
Admission is currently free for the park except for the $.85 tolls one needs to pay to cross the two causeways to reach the park by road.
Fort De Soto Named America’s Top Beach for 2009. The beach has been named among the top American beaches consistently during the past decade, including the number one spot or top spot several of these years. Beaches are the number one recreational destination for Americans. These sandy playgrounds that line our coasts are the most extensive natural parks in the country. The park includes a doggie park and doggie beach. Camping. Boating. Kayaking. Hiking. Biking.
The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. First opened on December 21, 1962, when the state toll road named the Pinellas Bayway was completed, this park was dedicated May 11, 1963, in perpetuity as a public park. Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors.
The park property was first purchased from the federal government in 1938 for $12,500. In 1941 the property was sold back to the federal government for $18,404 to be used as a gunnery and bombing range during World War II. The property was repurchased from the United States in 1948 for $26,500.The Fort
The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Markers showing the original building locations and a Quartermaster Museum add to the park's historic interest.
A team of Army engineers that included Brevet Colonel Robert E. Lee in 1849 recommended that the two keys--Mullet and Egmont--become fortified. Both keys could only be reached by boat, since they were islands off the mainland. Union troops were stationed on the two keys during the Civil War (1861–1865) to aid in the Union blockade of Tampa Bay. The keys were again abandoned by the military and in 1882 military reservations were officially created on the two keys. Nothing was constructed there, however.
Construction of Fort De Soto began in November 1898 and was completed in 1906. It was to keep invaders out of Tampa Bay. The foundation was constructed of a shell concrete formula and the walls and ceiling used a shell, stone and concrete mix. The post consisted of 29 buildings. Active from 1898 to 1910. with only a caretaker force remained. By 1914 only a sergeant and game warden remained.
The event:
Friday: Six hundred school-aged children and chaperones descended upon us eager to hear and see the many lectures and displays. Over the years, this has become one of my favorite times. I usually start the day with a lecture on the history of kettle korn, but so many people have heard it in the past that I decided to do a lecture on Confederate flags (that is plural…flags with an S). Like most countries (and the Confederacy believed themselves to be a separate country) there was not ONE flag, but many. The flag that we call the Confederate flag was one of many. The blue cross of St Andrew with thirteen white stars over a field of red was, generally speaking, a battle flag in the square shape. In the rectangular shape which we are so used to seeing these days was a Navy or ship Jack.
I am a Connecticut Yankee with at least two great grandfathers that fought to “Save the Union.” But, I feel badly that history has been so rewritten and misunderstood, that symbols of one thing have become symbols of something quite different.
Well, as it turned out, there was someone else doing the “flag” talk. And, I got very busy with the business portion of my being there. Only six lectures (more than usual). Half the number of students this year due to budget cuts, etc. But they all seemed to enjoy themselves and most actually admitted to learning something. I would call that a successful day.
Some of the other stations one might find at a student day Miss Celestine demonstrating period toys, Miss Grace lecturing on women who fought as men in the War between the States (specifically Albert Cashiers, but there are over 400 documented women who took part as soldiers), Rick demonstrating period music, various armaments (cannon, small arms, rifles/muskets, sabers and swords), Greg with his Naval presentation, the role of Chaplains, day to day camp life, woman’s period fashions, spies. These days are always different as it sometimes depends on whom might be available, but they are always educational. It is amazing how little young people really know about history. And, it is a shame.
Saturday: It rained all morning. The Ram/Jam (a modified Fife and Drum muster) did not happen. It was almost thought the battle would have to be canceled. But LO! And Behold! The skies cleared just in time for a belated battle to be organized and take place. And the public showed up. Can’t imagine where they were during the deluge, but they came. The ladies’ tea took place under a covered shelter, but the winds were blowing badly. And, it was sooooo cold (Yep! Global Warmin’ at its best!).
There was a group of honor history students that had planned to come for the day to enjoy a picnic and learn what they could. Some very brave chaperones grilled dogs and burgers. The young people (juniors and seniors, I think) froze. Since we have heat to pop the corn, we turned the burner on and invited them in. I have never seen so many young people that looked so miserable, but the duked it out and stayed. They did, periodically, come in to get warm. After the rain stopped, the day actually got a bit warmer. They went home saying they enjoyed themselves. Actually, they endured the extreme weather days that many of the soldiers had to endure, thus giving them an even better concept of how things were.
Several brave souls actually went to the outdoor ball that evening. We could hear the band. They were quite good, but it was much too cold. We retired early.
Sunday: The day turned out quite nice, still cold, but not so much. Everything happened according to schedule including the Mock trial and firing squad. Since this is a county park, the camps are not really ever closed to the public. In most events, there is a time when everyone is supposed to be out of the area. But at Ft DeSoto, people wander around, it seems, for ever. So, after the battle, even with all the spectators, we packed it in and went home to prepare for yet another event in which we would leave the house on Tuesday, March 2.
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