The 75th Ohio receives Historic Preservation Award
By Tom Criscuolo, 75th O.V.I.
The reconstruction of the Camp Milton earthworks that was built by the 75th Ohio Voluntary Infantry has been selected as one of the 2012 Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission Preservation Award recipients. Members of the 75th will attend the Preservation Award ceremony at the downtown Jacksonville Public Library on Thursday, May 3rd. In celebration of National Preservation Month, the annual awards ceremony recognizes outstanding projects and services that promote historic preservation in Jacksonville for Heritage Education, Residential Rehabilitation, and Preservation Projects and Services.
Reconstructing the Earthworks: In October 2010, members of the 75th Ohio planning began for constructing Confederatearthworks at the Camp Milton Historic Preserve. Jacksonville Recreation and Community Programming - JaxParks approved and prepared the site for construction, which began in early November. Attention to historical accuracy was key in planning for construction. The very detailed official report of Brig. George H. Gordon from the June 1st, 1864 battle was employed. Members of the 75th worked over the next three months, stopping construction for only three weekends.
The reconstructed earthworks built by the members of the 75th Ohio span 180 feet. There are two sets of trenches - 30 ft. and 50 ft., each 3 ft deep by 4 ft. wide and reinforced by a retaining & wall topped with a head log. Earth along the front of the trenches is 3 ft high at the top and 6 ft. wide at the base. Three artillery emplacements are flanked by 8 ft. high "loop hole" stockade walls. Each set of earthworks/trenches have steps and 2 re-entry salients.
The earthworks were officially opened to the public at the 2011 Road to Olustee event. The 75th Ohio portrays Confederate Engineers during living history weekends. (The Camp Milton Historic Preserve was officially opened as a city park in September 2006)
History of Camp Milton: In Early March 1864 General B.G.T. Beauregard ordered a system of defenses constructed 14 miles west of Jacksonville and named them after Governor John Milton. These defenses were constructed with earth and pine logs and would span nearly 3 miles and cross the Florida Atlantic & Gulf Central RR. It was considered to be the strongest field fortification built in Florida during the Civil War. Confederate defenders numbered 400-50 men when Gen. Gordon attacked the works on June 1st, 1864. He attacked with approx. 1,400 men and had the works partially destroyed but returned later that month to complete the destruction. *The 75th Ohio was engaged during the battle of June 1st, 1864. It was in a brigade under Col. James Shaw serving as mounted infantry .
