The Tallahassee Civic Chorale is sponsoring a fish fry lunch and walking tour at Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park on Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 11:00 am to about 3:00 pm.  The walking tour will be in the recently acquired acreage commonly called the Rakestraw property, where much of the 1865 Civil War battle took place.  The area is not normally open to the general public.

A guided tour will go through the area of Floridas second largest battle at the point where the St. Marks River goes underground.  The natural bridge formed by the river going underground provided the ideal place for Union forces to cross from the east side of the St. Marks with the objective of capturing Floridas capital city. A small band of Confederates and volunteers from the surrounding area, including cadets from the Florida Military and Collegiate Institute (now Florida State University) joined the Confederate troops, and repelled three Union attempts to capture Tallahassee during a day-long battle on March 6, 1865.  It would be one of the Confederates final military victories of the Civil War, just months before their surrender.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.  Proceeds benefit the Tallahassee Civic Chorale, a local non-profit.  Go to the chorale website at www.civicchorale.org to order tickets (deadline Wednesday, March 9), or by phoning (850) 942-1893 (deadline Friday noon March 11). Those with limited mobility may not be able to access all areas of the tour.  Lunch included with the tour is fried mullet, hush-puppies, cheese grits, coleslaw, and various sweets, with iced tea and water. Support the local arts, enjoy the beautiful park, learn some history, and enjoy a delicious lunch.