1. Florida in the Civil War

2. Background Florida became a state in 1845 Population was 140,000.
63,000/140,000 were African Americans, most were slaves
Some were freed by thier owners while others had bought their freedom.

3. Florida joins the Confederacy
On January 10, 1861
Florida is the 7th state to secede
Union response: send ships to blockade or occupy Florida ports of
St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Key West and Pensacola
Union could not guard Florida’s entire coastline

4. How did Florida contribute?
Floridians sent beef, pork, fish, fruit and salt
Salt was an important resource to the army
Because refrigeration had not been introduced yet, it kept the meat from spoiling
Food needed to prevent malnutrition and scurvy!

5. Salt Production
The process involved boiling kettles of seawater and refining the salt though a process of repeated dipping, pouring and drying.
Because many of Florida’s bays were secluded, salt production was ideal in Florida.

6. Florida’s Cow Calvary

7. Cow Calvary and its purpose
Cow Calvary were small militia groups formed to protect the inner part of Florida.
Union soldiers would conduct raids to capture cattle and destroy salt production.
The Cow Calvary protected the cattle, the salt works, and the small towns of Florida

8. Battles in Florida
Skirmishes between the Union and the Confederates occur in various parts of Florida (Pensacola/ Ft. Pickens)
There are 2 major battles that occur in Florida, the Battle of Olustee and the Battle of Natural Bridge

9. The Battle of Olustee
Union forces marched in from the coastline making its way into Lake City.
Confederates set up 5,200 soldiers to block their advance, forcing the Union to retreat (Confederate victory)
Bloodiest battle in FL and one of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War (3,000 out of 11,000 died)

10. The Battle of the Natural Bridge
March 4, 1865 Union forces landed at St. Marks River
Confederate forces burned the bridge in their path so Union soldiers could not advance
Confederates were able to protect the natural crossing by pushing the Union soldiers back
Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi R. that was not captured by Union forces