Introduction
Florida's involvement in the Civil War is sometimes overlooked, because
most of the "war deciding battles" were fought in states farther north; though Florida was one of the first three states to claim secession from the United States. Soon though, Florida's accessibility to other states through rivers and other waterways proved a great advantage for the Confederates as troop and supply transportation. Florida’s supply of cattle, corn, molasses, pork and salt was keeping the confederates fed and equipped with military supplies acquired from the trade of these goods.[2] The United States saw the potential to control these waterways in order to cripple the Confederate’s supplies. Several key battles in Florida with the Union trying to carry out this plan include Battle of Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Battle of Olustee in Lake City, and Battle of Natural Bridge. The Union army used blockades to stop trade between Florida and the Caribbean as well as raids on cattle ranchers and salt factories. Despite this, the Union army failed to keep constant control in parts of Northern Florida, and little to no control in southern Florida.
Thesis: Florida’s main contribution in the Civil War was its supply of cattle, molasses, corn, salt, and pork that were valued commodities during this time period. The Union tried to stop these supplies from reaching Confederate troops as well as foreign traders through a series of raids and blockades that resulted in small skirmishes and battles between the two sides.
[1] Florida Department of State: Office of Cultural and Historical Programs Florida in the Civil War [Unknown location. Modern map representing Civil War battles and forces in Florida]. In Map of Federal Operations from Explore the Civil War in Florida from the website Florida in the Civil War 1861-1865. [Online] Available HTTP: http://www.flheritage.com/museum/mfh/exhibits/civilwar/15.cfm; [October 25, 2005].
[2]Florida in the Civil War (2005, November 4). Florida secedes from the
union. Retrieved November 2, 2005 from Florida Department of State:
Office of Cultural and Historical Programs Web site:
http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/civilwar/02.cfm.
Picture Location: Union Army in Florida [1]
