FLORIDA: Film Document’s Florida’s Contribution to Confederacy
COCOA, Fla. – Florida joined the Confederate States of America at the beginning of the Civil War, as third of the original seven states to secede from the Union, following Lincoln’s 1860 election.
Rebel battery, Pensacola
With the smallest population, nearly half of them slaves, Florida could only send 15,000 troops to the Confederate States Army. Its chief importance was in food-supply to the south, and support for blockade-runners, with its long coastline full of inlets, hard to patrol.
On the outbreak of war, the Confederates seized many of the state’s army camps, though the Union retained control of the main seaports. But there was little fighting in Florida, the only major conflict being the Battle of Olustee near Lake City in February 1864.
However, wartime conditions made it easier for slaves to escape, and many of them became useful informers to Union commanders. As southern morale suffered, deserters from both sides took refuge in Florida, often attacking Confederate units and looting farms.
Tallahassee became the second-last Confederate state capital to fall to the Union army. In May 1865, Federal control was re-established, slavery abolished, and the state governor John Milton shot himself, rather than submit to Union occupation. (Wikipeda.org)
Related Story:VIDEO: Lecture Series Highlights Cocoa’s Architectural Heritage, Lives of Early Residents
The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science is located in Cocoa, Florida.
Tucked away in a quite residential neighborhood the museum boasts two wings of indoor exhibits and a 22-acre nature preserve backing up to the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium.
Through curation and display we invite visitors to explore the unique history of Brevard County. From Ice Age fossils to the Space Age Hubble telescope, we have something for everyone.
The Brevard Museum is also home to the Florida Historical Society Archaeological Institute whose mission, in hand with the museum, is to educate
ABOVE VIDEO: Florida Frontiers presents Florida Historical Society’s television program featuring Florida’s involvement in the Civil War, which includes the Battle of Olustee and the sinking of the Maple Leaf.
