Florida Conscripts

HISTORICAL NOTES: By early January, 1864, Gen. William Miller had conscripted approximately 275 men. These were engaged in drill and instruction at the Camp of Instruction. As the battle of Olustee loomed, the Conscripts were attached to the Georgia Twenty-Eighth Artillery Battalion.

The Georgia 28th Artillery Battalion was organized at Savannah, Georgia, during the summer of 1863 with nine companies, later reduced to seven. All of its companies had seen prior heavy artillery service. It was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and took an active part in the fight at Olustee.

Olustee was the first major engagement for the unit. Comparatively small in numbers, the unit suffered over 100 casualties: 12 killed, 95 wounded, and two missing. The Florida Conscript Company suffered losses of six killed or died of wounds, and nine wounded. It is unclear if these losses were included in the totals for Bonaud's Battalion. I have not been able to determine whether the conscripts remained with the 28th Georgia Artillery Battalion or were returned to the Camp of Instruction after the battle of Olustee. OFFICERS:

General William Miller

Major J. J. Bonaud

ASSIGNMENTS:

District of Florida, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

SERVICE:

Olustee (Feb. 20, 1864)

ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contains the names of 277 men. BIBLIOGRAPHY: