Florida's Confederate Soldiers
Florida contributed more than 15,000 troops to the Confederate war effort. While this
was a small number when compared with other southern states, it was the highest
percentage of available men of military age from any Confederate state. Florida troops
were organized into eleven regiments of infantry; two regiments of cavalry; and
numerous smaller units, including artillery, home-guard, and militia.
By mid-1862 most of Florida's soldiers had been sent outside the state. In the Army of
Northern Virginia, Florida units were organized into a Florida Brigade. Later, a second
Florida Brigade was formed from units serving in the other major Confederate army, the
Army of Tennessee. Floridians fought in most of the major battles of the war, including
the epic Battle of Gettysburg, where they suffered heavy casualties.
Patriotism for the southern cause, so common at the beginning of the war, was later
tempered by exposure to an increasing amount of death and suffering. At first, the South
relied on volunteers, but as early as April 1862 it was necessary to institute a draft in
order to fill the ranks. Draftees and those disillusioned by years of war increasingly
deserted the Confederate ranks in the latter part of the conflict. Bands of deserters in
Florida operated against southern authority in parts of the state.
Approximately 5,000 Floridians (about one out of every three soldiers) died or were
killed in Confederate service. Many of those who survived were disabled or had their
lives shortened due to health problems related to the hardships of military service.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1861 pattern Florida state flag
Early in 1861, the Florida legislature passed an act directing Governor Madison S. Perry
to adopt "an appropriate device for a State flag which shall be distinctive in character."
On September 13, 1861, the governor reported that the new state flag had been deposited
in his office, and the secretary of state recorded a description of Florida's first official
state flag. Whether the flag was ever raised over the capitol or on the battlefield is
unknown. This illustration is based on the written description.
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Robert E. Lee
*After surrendering to Grant at Appomattox,
Lee remarked “I surrendered as much to
Lincoln’s goodness as Grant’s army.”
Lee condemned Lincoln’s assasination and
celebrated the end of slavery. “I am rejoiced”
he said. He told his soldiers “Go home now, and if you make as good citizens as you have soldiers, you will do well, and I shall always be proud of you.” In Lincoln’s words, there must be “no persecutions.” “We must become countrymen again.”
*Information from April 8th, 2001 issue of Parade Magazine
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