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Loomis Lyman Langdon was born in Buffalo, New York on October 25, 1830. He graduated from West Point in 1850 and went on to serve in numerous military engagements, mostly in Florida. In December 1854, Lt. Langdon set sail with companies L and M of the First Artillery Regiment bound for Ft. Dallas, Florida to assist in the Third Seminole War. It was not until April 1856, though, that he saw real military action in the Big Cypress Swamp.
After the fighting ended, Langdon returned to Ft. Dallas before leaving the state until the outbreak of the Civil War. Over the course of the next thirty-one years, he served in nine other locations throughout Florida. He participated in the repulse of the Confederate attack on Santa Rosa Island, in the bombardments of the Navy Yard and Fort Barrancas at Pensacola, and in the Battle of Olustee. He also commanded Fort Pickens during the yellow fever outbreaks and during Geronimo's captivity, and commanded Apache prisoners in St. Augustine and Fort Marion.
After a long and distinguished career, Langdon retired in 1904 with the rank of brigadier general. He died on January 7, 1910.
Summary:
This collection contains the letters of Loomis L. Langdon of the First U. S. Artillery, primarily relating to Langdon's activities in Florida during the Third Seminole War and the Civil War. A letter to his father of April 9, 1856 recounts the fighting at Big Cypress Swamp with the Seminoles. Also included is his report of the Battle of Olustee and a general order issued by Secretary of War W. C. Endicott and printed in "The Pensacola Commercial" on July 20, 1888. Miscellaneous items include Langdon's summary of history of Battery "M" from 1861 to 1866, an exhibit citation for Geronimo's shell collection, and a photograph of Langdon with the original negative.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Photocopies.
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Originals In possession of donor.
Associated Materials:
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History:
Publication Note:
Wickman, Patricia R. "A Trifling Affair: Loomis Lyman Langdon and the Third Seminole War." The Florida Historical Quarterly, 63 (January, 1985).
General Note:
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Geronimo, Apache Chief, 1829-1909
United States. Army. --Artillery Regiment, 1st (1861-1865)
Big Cypress Swamp (Fla.), Battle of, 1856. Olustee (Fla.), Battle of, 1864. Seminole Indians Wars Seminole War, 3rd, 1855-1858.
Florida History Civil War, 1861-1865 Fort Dallas (Miami, Fla.) Fort Pickens (Fla.) Pensacola (Fla.) Santa Rosa Island (Fla.)
for detailed listing.