In 1912 a Monument commemorating the Battle and Forces of Both sides was erected by a Monument Commission established by State of Florida and paid for by private citizens. The land for the monument was procured by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and donated to the State for this unique historical and cultural park.
'Balanced' text on the Monument erected in 1912 by the Commission established by Florida Law:
"The Battle of Olustee was Fought on this Ground February 20th 1864 Between 5,000 Confederate Troops Commanded by General Joseph E. Finegan and 6,000 Federal Troops under General Truman Seymour. The Federals were defeated with a loss of 2,000 men. The Confederate loss was less than 1,000."
In 2013, the Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War asked for and received approval for a Darth Vadar-esque obsidian obelisk that, if constructed, would degrade the historical and cultural value of this special site. Ladies of the UDC discovered the plan, and since September of this year, SCV forces have been trying to reverse the approval. The SUVCW's rationale is that there is no special monument to Federal troops, however there is a large one on an adjacent parcel that was erected during the Centennial of the WBTS.
BIO ON SECRETARY VINYARD
About Herschel Vinyard:
Prior to becoming Secretary of the Florida Department of Environment Protection, Vinyard has more than twenty years of experience in environmental law and business management. He served as director of business operations at BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards, responsible for strategic planning, business development and regulatory and government affairs. BAE is the world's second largest defense contractor. He also served on a number of professional and civic associations that draw upon his expertise in environmental and complex business practices. This includes board service on the Jacksonville Port Authority, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Manufactures Association of Florida. During his decade in private practice at Smith, Hulsey and Busey, Vinyard counseled clients in state and federal environmental compliance and permitting, was heavily involved in the siting of an electrical cogenerating facility and assisted in industry waste minimization efforts. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University.
PUBLIC MEETING INFO
DATE AND TIME: Monday, December 2, 2013, 6:30 p.m. (EST)
PLACE: Columbia County School District Auditorium, 372 West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida 32055
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Presentation of potential locations for a proposed Union monument at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park for public review and comment. A copy of the workshop agenda is attached.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop by contacting: Michelle Waterman, Park Manager, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, Florida 32096, PH# (386) 397-2733, FAX # (386) 397-4262, or email Michelle.Waterman@dep.state.fl.us
