Today in History:

Fort Brooke

Battle Name: Fort Brooke
Other Names: None
State: Florida
Location: Tampa
Campaign: Expedition to Hillsborough River (1863)
Dates: October 16-18, 1863
Principal Commanders: Lt. Comdr. A.A. Semmes [US]; Capt. John Westcott [CS]
Forces Engaged: Union Navy: Tahoma, Adela, and landing force [US]; Company A, 2nd Battalion, Florida Volunteers [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Unknown
Description: Two Union ships bombarded Fort Brooke on October 16 as a diversion, while a landing party under Acting Master T.R. Harris disembarked at Ballast Point and marched 14 miles to the Hillsborough River to capture several steamers. Harris and his men surprised and captured the blockade running steamer Scottish Chief and sloop Kate Dale. The Rebels destroyed the steamer A.B. Noyes to preclude her capture. On its way back to the ship, Harris’s force was surprised by a detachment of the garrison, causing casualties.
Results: Union victory
Comments: The location of the fort is marked by a plaque in Downtown Tampa at the site of the Old Fort Brooke Parking garage.  The plaque includes a map of the layout of the fort and it's buildings.  The fort covered an area 160 acres in size, which is basically the point of land at the confluence of the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel and the Tampa Riverwalk.

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