| 1861 |
 |
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January
3 - |
The
Secession Convention convened in Tallahassee.
|
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January
10 - |
The
Secession Convention voted 62-7 to adopt an Ordinance of Secession
and withdraw Florida from the United States.
|
|
February
4- |
Representatives
from Florida and six other Southern states met in Montgomery, Alabama
to organize a new government.
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February
22 - |
The
Confederate States of America was formally organized.
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April
12 - |
Confederate
bombardment began against Fort Sumter, South Carolina, marking the
beginning of the Civil War. On the same day the First Florida
Regiment arrived in Pensacola to try and drive the Northern troops
out of Fort Pickens.
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July
21- |
The
first major battle of the war, a Confederate victory, was fought at
Bull Run, or Manassas, Virginia. No Florida units were involved.
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October
7 - |
John
Milton was inaugurated as Florida’s fifth governor.
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October
9 - |
Confederate
troops landed on Santa Rosa Island to attack Union soldiers stationed
outside Fort Pickens. After a sharp fight the Confederates were
forced to retreat, suffering 87 casualties. The Federal losses
totaled 62 killed, wounded, and missing.
|
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November
22 - |
A
major bombardment occurred at Pensacola between Union-occupied Fort
Pickens and surrounding Confederate batteries.
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