Battle of Olustee - Battle Lithograph

Battle Lithograph

The lithograph at the top of the page was printed by the firm of Kurz and Allison in 1894. It depicts soldiers of the 8th U.S. Colored Troops advancing against Confederate entrenchments. While frequently used in media about the Battle of Olustee, it is inaccurate as the artist knew little about the battle. The Confederates troops during the battle were well in advance of their prepared positions, and neither side fought from behind fortifications, as the battle took place in a pine forest (see map - top of map is approximately due West). Plus, there were very few large cleared areas (as also shown incorrectly in the lithograph). Th dotted red line on the map indicates the location of the Confederate trenches.

The annual reenactment begins in a pine forest so that reenactors can experience fighting as the soldiers did in 1864. However, the fighting then moves into a large, cleared area so that spectators also can view the battle.