Confederate Memorial Services & Memorial Marker Dedications New Zion Cemetery, Union County, Florida Saturday 29 April 2000 Address given by Robert B. Tucker Great Great Grandson of Thomas Gaskins Thomas Gaskins Private: Company "G" 5th Florida Cavalry Battalion Thomas Gaskins was born March 19, 1819 in Telfair County, Georgia. He was a son of Fisher Gaskins and Mary Lacy. Thomas was married to Mary Ann Hancock in about 1836/37. She was a daughter of William M. Hancock and Mary Ann Ellis. Before the Civil War, Thomas Gaskins was already involved in the territorial affairs of Florida before Florida became a state. About the time of his marriage, Thomas Gaskins was serving with the Militia units of this area. Florida Militia Muster Roles show his service with the following units: Captain William Cason’s Mounted Company, 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade of Florida Militia, January 23, 1837 to June 5, 1837. Captain Arthur Roberts’ Company, 1st Regiment Brigade of the Florida Mounted Militia, May 3, 1839 to November 2, 1839. Captain Enoch E. Mizell’s Company, 1st Regiment of the Florida Militia, August 22, 1840 to November 22, 1840. Captain A. A. Stewarts Company, 2nd Regiment, Brigade of Florida Foot Militia commanded by Colonel: F. L. Dancey, November 29, 1840 to February 28, 1841. Territorial Papers of the United States: Volume 26, page 503, shows Thomas Gaskins as one of the signers of the petition, "to have that territory [Florida] admitted into the Union as a State." Document dated August 17, 1842. In an election held May 1, 1843, at Fort Call Precinct, Columbia County, and Territory of Florida. Thomas Gaskins was of the 70 to vote for delegate for Congress, his name is listed on the voters list for that day. Florida land records show Thomas Gaskins had registered land purchase at St. Augustine, Florida July 10, 1844. [St. Augustine was the land office; later Newnansville became land office, six land purchases listed there also.] On August 12, 1863, at the age of 45 Thomas Gaskins enlisted in Company "G", 5th Florida Cavalry Battalion, Lake City, Florida by Colonel R. B. Thomas. This Company was assigned to Major George W. Scott. Events: Confederate: General G. T. Beauegard commanded the Confederate Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. When he learned of the Union invasion at Jacksonville, on January 7, 1864. He ordered Major Harrison to withdraw his force of over 250 men from Camp Cooper, on February 8th, which was located thirty miles north of Jacksonville. They were to march to Lake City and join the Confederate army being formed there to make a stand against the Yankees. General Finegan on February 10th at Lake City, ordered Major George W. Scott and his cavalry [estimated to be about 80] to move to Sanderson and there join Major Harrison’s cavalry companies. Union: Colonel Henry was under orders of Major General Gilmore to cross the St. Mary’s River and determine the Confederate troupe strength at Lake City. On February 10, 1864, at Barber’s Plantation in northeastern Florida [Baker County], Union cavalry soldiers stopped to water their horses and eat trail rations. They were the advanced guard for the Union Expeditionary force what had landed in Jacksonville three days earlier. About one o’clock the order came to advance and they rode down a hillside on a narrow road. The road lead to a bridge, which spanned the South Fork of the St. Mary’s River. Suddenly, a volley of rifle shots tore throughout the point guard. As troopers fell from their saddles, Colonel Henry realized they had ridden into a Confederate ambush. Confederate soldiers were told the Union forces numbered no more than 300. But what they had ambushed, was a Union force of over 1000 men, cavalry, mounted infantry, and 1 artillery battery. Out numbered, and the artillery began to fire upon them, the Confederate forces withdrew. General Finegan reported Confederate losses, at two killed and 2 wounded. Union: 15 killed and 30 wounded. Thomas Gaskins was one of the two wounded, military records indicate he later died on the 12th of February 1864, from the wounds suffered that day at Barber’s Bridge. Thomas Gaskins left widow: Mary Ann Hancock Gaskins and children: Nancy, Laura, William Thomas, Civility "Siby", Susan and Martha. Records show that Thomas Gaskins had never been paid since his enlistment: August 12, 1863. Register of Claims of Deceased Officers and Soldiers from Florida, which were filed for settlement in the Office of the Confederate States, Auditor for the War Department. Shows Mary Ann Gaskins filing claim, document dated: December 10, 1864. Family tradition has it that Mary Ann Gaskins went by horse and wagon and picked up Thomas Gaskins and brought him home. Thomas Gaskins children: Elizabeth Gaskins married Berrian Parrish; Amey Gaskins married Bobby Parrish; Mary Ann Gaskins married Abe Sauls; Nancy Gaskins married Peter Hamilton Williams; William Thomas Gaskins, no records found concerning his marriage; Laura Gaskins married first: Warren Jordan and second John Waters; Civlility Gaskins married George Washington Thomas, Sr.; Susan Gaskins married Peter James Jerald Kerce [my Great Grandparents]; Martha Gaskins married Le Roy Frank Smith. Most of Thomas Gaskins’ Children and their spouses are buried in the New Zion Cemetery. Now today we pay tribute to Thomas Gaskins, a husband, a father, a man devoted to community affairs, militia soldier, Confederate soldier and our ancestor. Thomas Gaskins gave his all, wounded and died. He set out to help save Florida, family and friends from the aggression of the Northern Armies, which had begun to march into Florida. Though Thomas Gaskins didn’t see the big battle, "Battle of Olustee," but he was still a hero, he did help turn the tide of northern aggression against Florida. Descendant families....hold your head up high....be proud of your ancestor Thomas Gaskins. He is truly a hero....his valor, courage and bravery was insurmountable. Remember this day, that Thomas Gaskins rode, side by side with the best of men, the greatest the world has ever seen. May his name be recorded in the great annals of history....that we will always remember him in our hearts. That we may go forth and promote the remembrance of this great man....and to defend his good name. Remember descendants, we are part of him. We must be strong, brave and courageous too. Be proud to be a Southerner and be not ashamed . Do not denounce your great heritage. Thomas Gaskins would be grateful and proud today, that we cared enough to remember him. Long live the legacy of this great and noble man....Thomas Gaskins. Thank you.