On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, although he only received forty percent of the popular vote. Prior to Lincoln being inaugurated on March 4, 1861, seven states seceded from the Union led by South Carolina on December 20, 1860.  Florida seceded on January 10, 1861, becoming the third of the eleven states that seceded and formed the Confederacy.


Although there were not many battles within the state and only about 17,000 Floridians fought for either the Union or Confederacy, Florida did play an important role by providing necessary supplies to the Confederacy. The Union attempted to blockade the major ports in Florida, but the state’s seemingly endless coastline made it possible for blockade runners to avoid the Federal Navy and deliver supplies and provisions throughout the state. Many of the skirmishes that took place in Florida were due to the Union’s attempt to destroy these supply lines.

Fort Pickens and Pensacola

At the time Florida seceded, United States Army soldiers were already stationed at Fort Pickens which is located on Santa Rosa Island. Fort Pickens was built in the early 1830’s to protect Pensacola Bay and guard the city of Pensacola, in addition to Fort McRee and Fort Barrancas.  Shortly after Florida seceded, Confederate troops captured both Fort McRee and Fort Barrancas, then demanded the surrender of Fort Pickens.

 At first glimpse it appeared that the first battle of the Civil War would unfold at Fort Pickens. However, the Confederates agreed not to attack the Fort provided that Union didn’t bring in reinforcements. 

Shortly after the April 12, 1861 Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, the Union broke the Fort Pickens truce and brought in reinforcements. The Union Navy also began a blockade on Pensacola Harbor. The Confederate Army responded with General Braxton Bragg placing artillery batteries around Pensacola and assembling an army that would be 7000 strong by October. On October 9th, Bragg unsuccessfully attacked Fort Pickens with 1000 troops.

On November 21, 1861, the Union and Confederate began bombarding each other from their respective positions at Fort Pickens and Port McRee. While casualties were minimal, Fort McRee suffered extensive damage. While there were some minor skirmishes afterward, neither side initiated an attack. Then in May 1862, the Confederate army left the area which left Pensacola occupied by the Union through the end of the Civil War.

Gunboat in Tampa Bay

A minor skirmish began on June 30, 1862 when a Union gunboat entered Tampa Bay and demanded that Tampa surrender to the Union Navy. The Confederate militia stationed in the city refused so the gunboat began to fire their guns. The shelling continued until mid-day on July 1st when the gunboat suddenly retreated from Tampa Bay. Neither side reported any casualties.

Battle of Olustee

Florida’s largest Civil War battle took place near Lake City on February 20, 1864 and is known as the Battle of Olustee.  Union Brigadier General Truman Seymour led 5000 troops from Jacksonville into the middle of the state, with the goal of cutting off Confederate supply lines and recruiting black soldiers. General Joseph Finegan moved 5,200 Confederate troops to Olustee in order to prevent Seymour and his troops from advancing deeper into the state. The battle lasted only six hours before Seymour retreated; but it was very costly for both armies as they suffered a combined 3,000 in casualties.

Battle of Natural Bridge

A Confederate victory at the Battle of Natural Bridge in March 1864 ensured that Tallahassee would be the only Confederate state capital east of the Mississippi River that was not under Union control during the Civil War. Union Navy ships entered the St. Marks River with the intent to travel the entire way to Tallahassee, but due to the river’s depth the Union soldiers disembarked the ships and began marching towards the state capital. Confederate militia were able to burn a bridge which hindered the Union advance, causing their soldiers to march alongside the river to a place known as Natural Bridge where the river goes underground which would allow the soldiers to continue their advance. The Confederate militia successfully defended this crossing causing the Union soldiers to retreat to their ships.