Florida

Don't think for one minute Florida isn't a Southern state... just get into the smaller towns and into the country... that is where you will find the heart of Dixie still beating true!

Public meetings held in the towns and settlements of Florida adopted resolutions calling for state action on the course to be followed toward separation from the union, On November 8th, 1860 a public meeting at Fernandina went on record with the declaration that Lincoln's election was the first step in the dissolution of the union and a similar meeting in Jefferson county favored secession if necessary to protect Southern rights. A St. Augustine meeting of November 17, and one at Ocala November 26, added their resolutions to the General Assembly to provide for a "Convention of Delegates" to consider the expediency of dissolving our connection with the Federal Union. In General, the erstwhile Whigs joined the Democrats in denouncing the selection of Lincoln.

On November 26, 1860 the General Assembly convened in regular session at Tallahassee. Governor Madison Perry devoted his entire message to the necessity for secession at once. The governor asked the legislature to enact legislation for the election of delegates to a constituent assembly which, in turn, might take proper action toward protecting the rights of the people of Florida. Perry also recommended reorganization of the state militia and the appropriation of $100,000 as a military fund for the ensuing year. Governor Perry then traveled to South Carolina to arrange for the purchase of guns and ammunition and to meet with other southern leaders who had assembled there to observe the secession convention in the Palmetto State.

The news of secession in Florida reached Washington by telegraph; Senator David Levy Yulee and Senator Stephen Mallory refrained from participation in the proceedings of the Senate, but did not make a formal withdrawal until January 21st. In his farewell speech Senator Yulee reminded the Senate that one of the conditions of the cession of Florida from Spain to the United States was that the residents of the territory should be admitted into the union on terms of equality with the citizens of that nation. Thus, in seceding, Florida was exercising the equality gained on entrance in the union in 1845. Senator Mallory was more eloquent when he said: "From the Union, governed by the Constitution as our fathers made it, there breathes not a secessionist upon her soil, but a deep sense of injustice and insecurity... is brought home to the reason and patriotism of her people; and to secure and maintain these rights which the Constitution no longer accords them." Mallory concluded with the statement: "We seek not to war upon, or to conquer you; and we know that you cannot conquer us."

With more that 15,000 men, Florida provided the highest percentage of available men, from any Confederate state, to the Confederacy. These troops were organized into eleven regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and many smaller units, including artillery, home-guard, militia and the Cow Cavalry. Our Florida men fought in most of the major battles, including the 2nd Manassas, Antietam, Chickamauga, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Petersburg, Sharpsburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. Over 5,000 Florida soldiers lost their lives in the war and nearly an equal number were captured and imprisoned until the end of the war. Florida had the highest per capita casualty rate of any of the Confederate States.