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.
February 22
The Confederate States of America was formally organized.
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.
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.
October 7
John Milton was inaugurated as Florida’s fifth governor.
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.
November 22
A major bombardment occurred at Pensacola between Union-occupied Fort Pickens and surrounding Confederate batteries.
