| Tampa Bay Civil War Florida American Civil War June 30-July 1, 1862 On June 30, a Union gunboat came into Tampa Bay, turned her broadside on the town, and opened her ports. The gunboat then dispatched a launch carrying 20 men and a lieutenant under a flag of truce demanding the surrender of Tampa. The Confederates refused, and the gunboat opened fire. The officer then informed the Confederates that shelling would commence at 6:00 pm after allowing time to evacuate non-combatants from the city. Firing continued sporadically into the afternoon of July 1, when the Federal gunboat withdrew. Also known as: Yankee Outrage at Tampa Result(s): Confederate victory (Inconclusive, but Union gunboat withdrew.) Location: City of Tampa Campaign: Operations against Tampa (June-July 1862) only battle in campaign Campaigns Date(s): June 30-July 1, 1862 Principal Commanders: Capt. A.J. Drake [US]; Capt. J.W. Pearson [CS] Forces Engaged: One gunboat [US]; Osceola Rangers, company [CS] Estimated Casualties: None Fort Brooke Civil War Florida American Civil War October 16-18, 1863 Two Union ships bombarded Fort Brooke on October 16 as a diversion, while a landing party under Acting Master T.R. Harris disembarked at Ballast Point and marched 14 miles to the Hillsborough River to capture several steamers. Harris and his men surprised and captured the blockade running steamer Scottish Chief and sloop Kate Dale. The Rebels destroyed the steamer A.B. Noyes to preclude her capture. On its way back to the ship, Harris's force was surprised by a detachment of the garrison, causing casualties. Result(s): Union victory Location: Tampa Campaign: Expedition to Hillsborough River (1863) Date(s): October 16-18, 1863 Principal Commanders: Lieutenant Comdr. A.A. Semmes [US]; Capt. John Westcott [CS] Forces Engaged: Union Navy: Tahoma, Adela, and landing force [US]; Company A, 2nd Battalion, Florida Volunteers [CS] Estimated Casualties: Unknown Florida regiments composed one brigade each in the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of Tennessee and fought in all the major battles in both theaters of war, often in the thickest of the fighting. |
Replica Naval Mounts
Manufactured for
The Friends of Plant Park
The Citizens of Tampa, Hillsborough County
and The University of Tampa
Dedicated to
The original inhabitants, soldiers, sailors and
settlers who with blood sweat and toil
carved this area out of wilderness.
Funded by
The Fort Brooke Commission
[ Includes Council resolutions, list of
Chairpersons, Manufacturer and designer ]
History of the Battery
Originally part of a battery of Three, mounted on
Barbette Carriages and placed in the year 1861
near the northeast corner of the mouth of the
Hillsborough River these 24 pound shot sized
cannon were used to defend Tampa and Fort
Brooke during the "War between the States". On
May 5, 1864 Federal Troops composed of
elements of The 2nd U.S. Colored Regiment, 2nd
Florida cavalry, U.S. Sailors and Florida Union
(irregular troops) landing South and East of
Tampa enveloped Tampa in a pincers movement
and captured it by surprise. The 24 pounders were
disabled and their mounts destroyed. Two smaller
6 pound shot size cannon were carried away. H.B.
Plant in 1891 while constructing the Tampa Bay
Hotel is credited with saving these two cannon by
bringing them to these grounds and including them
in a "Childrens Fort" play area.
Manufactured for
The Friends of Plant Park
The Citizens of Tampa, Hillsborough County
and The University of Tampa
Dedicated to
The original inhabitants, soldiers, sailors and
settlers who with blood sweat and toil
carved this area out of wilderness.
Funded by
The Fort Brooke Commission
[ Includes Council resolutions, list of
Chairpersons, Manufacturer and designer ]
History of the Battery
Originally part of a battery of Three, mounted on
Barbette Carriages and placed in the year 1861
near the northeast corner of the mouth of the
Hillsborough River these 24 pound shot sized
cannon were used to defend Tampa and Fort
Brooke during the "War between the States". On
May 5, 1864 Federal Troops composed of
elements of The 2nd U.S. Colored Regiment, 2nd
Florida cavalry, U.S. Sailors and Florida Union
(irregular troops) landing South and East of
Tampa enveloped Tampa in a pincers movement
and captured it by surprise. The 24 pounders were
disabled and their mounts destroyed. Two smaller
6 pound shot size cannon were carried away. H.B.
Plant in 1891 while constructing the Tampa Bay
Hotel is credited with saving these two cannon by
bringing them to these grounds and including them
in a "Childrens Fort" play area.
