Old Florida Maps - Mapping the Civil War in Florida

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Mapping the Civil War in Florida
In 1845, Florida became the last Federal territory to become a slave state. Slavery had spread south into northern and north-central Florida to support cotton growth which had become a major source of income. As early as 1854, the federal government became irritated by the decisions of territories and states to support slavery. The U.S government seized certain forts and ports in Florida to curtail commerce. Upset by these seizures and blockades, Florida decided to join the Confederacy. On January 11, 1861, it became the third state (after South Carolina and Mississippi) to secede from the Union. This decision was partially re-enforced by the election of the anti-slavery President Abraham Lincoln.

Florida formed a militia and seized some forts. The most significant of these were Ft. Barrancas at Pensacola Navy Yard and nearby Ft. McRee as well as Ft. Clinch at Fernandina. Other confederate seized areas in Florida were not as significant such as Ft. Marion near St. Augustine. The cities of Tampa, St. Augustine and Key West were held by U.S forces throughout the Civil War. Federal naval blockades of main ports of Florida – Cedar Key, Apalachicola, Tampa, Fernandina and Jacksonville – greatly interfered with trade and support of confederate troops with food and cattle.