The Battle of Station Four- February 13, 1865

On February 8, 1865, Union Major Edmund Weeks left Cedar Key for a raid on the mainland. He would command 186 men of the 2nd Florida Cavalry and 200 men of the 2nd USCTs under Major Benjamin Lincoln. After crossing over to the mainland at the bridge to Station Four on the Atlantic to Gulf Railroad that ran from Fernandina to Cedar Key, the raiding party split in two with Major Weeks and the 2nd FL Cavalry headed up the railroad toward Levyville (was located between modern-day Bronson and Chiefland) and Major Lincoln and the USCTs toward a Confederate camp at Clay Landing on the Suwannee River. Major Weeks captured 5 men, 13 horses, 50 contrabands, several wagons and 100 head of cattle while Major Lincoln destroyed commissary stores and supplies. On the columns return to Station Four the Union rearguard was attacked by 15 Confederate cavalry and two men were wounded. The Federals arrived back at Station Four at 3:00 PM February 12th. Apparently feeling that he was out of danger Major Weeks left the station for Cedar Key leaving part of his command there under Captain Pease. At 7:00 AM on February 13th the Federal detachment was attacked by Confederate Cavalry under Captain John J. Dickison. Dickison commanded a total of about 145 men. Hearing the sounds of battle Major Weeks headed back toward Station Four. When he arrived he found about 60 men on the island side of the trestle which he led across to the mainland where they joined 40 men under Captain Pease and were able to regain control of the bridge. Fearing a Confederate counterattack by a larger force they fell back to Cedar Key and the fighting ended. The Federals suffered losses of 5 men killed, 18 wounded and 3 captured. The Confederates reported 6 men wounded. Dickison was able to recapture all the cattle, horses and wagons that were stolen on the raid.