"Cattle roamed wild and abundant across Florida during the state's early frontier history. These were not native animals, having been introduced by the Spanish during the colonial period; but they had well-adapted to a feral existence in the many years since.
The Confederate government identified Florida's herds as a vital resource in supplying their armies with food. Harnessing this resource and transporting it safely, however, was a problematic and obstacle-ridden endeavor hindered by incursions from Federal forces and bandit gangs marauding through the sparsely settled Florida wilderness.
With Confederate armies slowly being starved, authorities in Florida decided to take action, forming special cowboy units to guard this supply of food for the front-lines. In all, nine companies with about 900 men formed "The Cow Cavalry", 1st Battalion Florida, Special Cavalry. They protected the herds from Federal raiders and rustlers and oversaw massive cattle drives going as far north as Savannah and Charleston." From HMdb.org. Glenn Sheffield and Craig Swain.
Monument text:
In Memory of
Confederate Cow Cavalry
Co. A, 1st Battalion, Florida Special Cavalry C.S.A.
1863-1865
Erected in 2014
By
11th Brigade Cmdr. Leon Arthur and his Wife Evelyn Arthur
FLORIDA DIVISION
S.C.V. #2181-Mech. Cav. 3rd Batt.Co. D - O.C.R. #24 - U.D.C. #2501
By 1863 the Confederate Army was suffering severe food shortages.
As part of the Commissary Department, Capt. F.A. Hendry organized a Cavalry
Company in 1863, and recruited men from the southern part of Florida to
roundup and drive wild cattle north. In 1864 they are attached to Col. C.J.
Munnerlyn. There were 9 units in this Battalion; they drove cattle to train
depots in Georgia and other destinations. Those men also fought in battles to
defend their homeland. This Monument and Cross of Honor is dedicated to honor
all of those Confederate Soldiers, buried in marked and also unmarked graves
in what was "Old" DeSoto County, Florida.
The monument consists of an approximately 4'x4' concrete brick base with a concrete slab top which has a round bronze plate featuring a carved relief depicting a cavalry soldier, a horse, and cattle standing in a field. The bronze carving is the work of artist and sculptor, Mike Bethune.
A VIRTUAL CEMETERY CREATED BY FLORIDA CRACKER
1st Battalion, Company A, Florida Special Cavalry, "Cow Cavalry"
This site has been setup to honor the members of this special cavalry company that helped in our Southern cause. (
visit link)