The Attack On Fort Myers
Posted by: lazyCachers
N 26° 38.734 W 081° 52.058
17R E 413647 N 2947473
Located at the Ft Myers/Lee County Library.
Waymark Code: WM40JM
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/18/2008
Views: 72
The marker text states:
In December 1863, the Army post of Fort Myers, inactive since 1858, was reoccupied. The fort served as a supply depot for the Federal blockade squadron. Troops from the fort often raided Confederate supply depots in the state's interior, since Florida beef fed the Confederate army. To discourage these raids, Confederate Major William Footman led 275 men of Florida's "Cow Cavalry" from Fort Thompson (LaBelle) to the very gates of Fort Myers. Shortly after noon of February 20, 1865, Major Footman approached the fort under a flag of truce and gave the Federals 20 minutes to surrender. After Captain James Doyle, commander of the garrison which consisted of the Union 2nd Florida Cavalry, the 110th New York Infantry, and the 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry, refused, the Confederates bombarded the fort with their field piece. They were answered by Fort Myers' three cannons. The cannonade and musketry continued until after nightfall, when Footman and his Confederates withdrew under cover of darkness. Casualties on both sides were light.
Marker Number: F-297
Date: 1982
County: Lee
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: Sponsored by Col. Abraham C. Myers Camp #1322 Sons of Confederate Veterans in cooperation with Department of State
Website: [Web Link]
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