The 30th Re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee is a living history commemoration of Florida's largest Civil War battle. It has been 142 years since Union and Confederate soldiers met on this battlefield.

On February 20, 1864 more than 10,000 cavalry, infantry and artillery troops fought in a pine forest near ocean pond.

The battle ended at dusk when Union troops retreated in defeat and 2,807 men lay dead or wounded. Just fourteen months later the war ended.

Boy scout Troop 161 with Brandon Ballasso and and his father. Clayton and Seabrook smith and Mr. Smith and Carlton Allen arrived at the camp site Saturday morning. Cub scouts were already at the site. We walked down settlers row. We sat and listened, under a tent to an authentic era brass band from Carolina. The weather was warm and sunny and the tent was a welcome bit of shade. Later we picked up some hats at Dirty Billy's.

At 3:30 we watched the re-enactment. Two day participants of troop 161 consisted of Miller Dickinson, Brian Colette and their fathers.

We got up Sunday morning and returned to Jacksonville.