Listing of all day-by-day events of the American Civil War related to the state of Florida.
The American Civil War crossed borders throughout many states as the nation was plunged into turmoil. Key battles were fought throughout the land with the most being recorded in the state of Virginia followed by the state of Tennessee. The war stretched into loosely established territories in the West as well and involved actions in international waters and support from foreign powers. In the end, the fractured country required decades of healing and its scars can still be seen today.
There are a total of (24)Civil War Events by State - Florida events in the CivilWarTimeline.net database. Entries are listed below by date-of-occurrence ascending (first-to-last). Other leading and trailing events are also included for perspective.
Day-by-Day Timeline of Events
January 1, 1862
Confederate forces begin bombardment of Fort McRea in Pensacola Harbor.
January 8, 1861
A U.S. Army garrison stationed at Fort Barrancas (Pensacola, Florida) turns back an attempted assault to take the fort.
January 10, 1861
Florida follows Mississippi and moves to secede from the Union.
January 10, 1861
Stephen Mallory, a Florida senator, resigns his position to join the ranks of the growing Confederacy government.
January 12, 1861
Floridian state forces claim the U.S. Navy Yard at Pensacola.
April 13, 1861
USS Sabine blockades the Confederate port at Pensacola, Florida.
September 13, 1861
Forces from the frigate USS Colorado burn an enemy ship during a raid on Pensacola, Florida. The group is led by Lieutenant J.H. Russel.
October 8, 1861
A Confederate force raids a Union camp at Santa Rosa Island (Pensacola).
October 9, 1861
Union troops manage to push back a Confederate attack targeting supplies on Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola Harbor, Florida.
November 23, 1861
Union defenders at Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola, Florida push back a rebel force attempting to overtake their positions.
March 3, 1862
Union naval forces take Fernandina in Florida.
March 15, 1862
To better handle the ongoing war situation covering Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, Union authorities establish the Department of the South.
March 17, 1862
CSS Nashville manages to break through the Union blockade at Beaufort, Florida.
March 31, 1862
The Department of the South falls under the charge of Union General David Hunter.
May 10, 1862
Pensacola Navy Yard is destroyed by retreating Confederate forces.
May 10, 1862
Pensacola, Florida falls to advancing Union forces.
January 15, 1863
CSS Florida conducts various raids down the East Coast of the United States and beyond, her journey beginning in the port-city of Mobile, Alabama.
June 28, 1863
Union defenders at Fort Butler in Donaldsonville, Florida are victorious against attacking Confederate forces.
September 4, 1863
CSS Florida enters French waters off the coast of Brest.
February 7, 1864
Jacksonville, Florida is the target of a Union force led by General Truman Seymour. Half of the attacking force is made up of black soldiers. The city is taken.
February 9, 1864
From the period of February 9th through the 14th, Union forces continue their march through Florida.
February 20, 1864
The Battle of Olustee (Florida) is had. 5,500 Union troops face 5,000 Confederates. The battle is a Confederate victory with 1,861 Union wounded to the South's 946. Commanding officers are Truman Seymour (Union) and Joseph Finnegan (Confederate).
October 7, 1864
CSS Florida is taken by Union naval forces off the coast of Brazil.
May 11, 1865
Tallahassee, Florida is the side of another Confederate Army surrender to Union authorities.
