A confederate soldier was honored in a confederate marker dedication and memorial service Saturday, April 26, at Oak Grove Cemetery. The service honored Sergeant Albert Peterson Company “I” 3rd Florida Infantry Regiment. Albert Peterson was born in Georgia in 1823. He apparently moved to Florida as a young man. He is listed in Territorial papers as a subscriber to a memorial to congress dated December 26, 1839. The signers were asking that a land office be opened in Newnansville, in Alachua County. He was 16 at that time.



At the age of 18, he voted in the 1842 election. He was voter number six at an election to select four senators to represent the district of Florida. He also voted in the first statewide election of 1845. This evidence has established the descendants of Albert Peterson as a Florida Pioneer Family. This line has been documented by the State of Florida and all family members are eligible to be issued certification by the state in recognition of their ancestor.



Albert appears on the 1850 Columbia County census and is listed as a 27 year old farmer with his wife Rachel and two children, Lucy and William John. Eight years later Albert purchased 280 acres of land in what was then Columbia County, but is now Suwannee County. This land is located just north of Branford. In 1859 Albert received three land grants from the United States Government for an additional 360 acres, bringing his total land holdings to 640 acres.

By 1860, just before the Civil War, he is found on the Suwannee County census with his new wife Louisa Victoria Bradley, daughter of James Bradley and Keziah Clemmons. Also at home are his children by his first wife, Lucy 15, William John 12, Elizabeth 8, and James age 3.



On July 13, 1861, Albert enlisted for 12 months of service in the Civil War as a confederate soldier in Lake City, leaving his wife at home with his four young children by his first marriage, and 9 month old son Moses. He served in Captain Wood’s Company, 3rd Regiment of the Florida Infantry, also known as the Dixie Stars, and was stationed at Ft. Clinch in Fernandina Beach. His service records indicate that he was 38 years old at the time of his enlistment. He was promoted to 5th Sgt on November 1, 1861 and was removed from office on May 20, 1862 and had made his way to Chattanooga, Tennessee and was hospitalized there. It is not known whether it was for injury or illness. He was discharged from service for old age on November 17, 1862. He was 39 at the time. He returned home to Branford, and fathered four more children, before his death on August 29, 1873 at the age of 50.



He left nine children to carry on the Peterson name. They are as follows: Lucy, born 1846, William John, born 1849, Elizabeth born 1853, Moses born 1860, William Clifton born 1866, Dorsey born 1858, Archie born 1870, and Keziah.



A descendant Sherri Douglas, said, “We are gathered here today to honor the service of our ancestor Albert Peterson. 130 years ago our family was divided. Today we stand here united, and we represent seven generations of Petersons born in Florida, many of whom still live in Suwannee County.”



Sponsors were the Sons of Confederate Veterans Battle of Olustee, Camp 1463 Lake City; Military order of the Stars and Bars, Captain Asa A. Steward, Chapter 14, Lake City; United Daughters of the Confederacy, Olustee Chapter, Lake City, Florida.



Sherri Douglas, descendant placed a wreath on the grave marker of Albert Peterson.



The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the USA was lead by Nancy Wheaton, Secretary, Olustee Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Salute to the Confederate Flag, was led by Neil Miles, Chaplain, Battle of Olustee Camp 1643 Sons of Confederate Veterans. Miles also led the invocation.



Dedication of the marker was done by Robert Tucker, Commander, Capt. Asa. A Stewart Chapter 14, Military Order of the Stars and Bars Battle of Olustee Camp 1463, Sons of Confederate Veterans.



A memorial service was given by Robert Tucker, Commander. Military Salute by Re-enactors SCV Camps 770 and 1463. Benediction was by Ann Brown Chaplain, Florida Division Daughters of the Confederacy.



Retiring of Colors, Battle of Olustee Camp 1463, SVC Color Guard, Colonel Hal Adams, commanding.