The Confederate Army 1861–65 (2)

FLORIDA
Antebellum militia

Mocked in the New York Tribune as the ""smallest tadpole in the dirty pool of secession,"" Florida possessed a small population of 140,000 people when she seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861. Anticipatory preparations had begun during 1860, when independent companies of ""Minute Men"" were formed; offering their services to the state, these supplemented the small number of uniformed volunteer militia companies, which amounted to a mere 40 independent units in 1860. Among these were the Marion Artillery of St Augustine, the Pensacola Guards and the Jacksonville Light Infantry. Uniformed and equipped almost entirely by private means, the newly raised companies were speedily accepted into state service by Governor Madison S.Perry.

A re-organization of the dormant enrolled militia system, consisting of 21 regiments arranged in two divisions and five brigades, was also begun by an act of the legislature on February 14, 1861. This required an immediate enrolment of all able-bodied men, and their organization into companies and regiments. Governor Perry was immediately authorized to raise two regiments of infantry, and one of cavalry or mounted riflemen, for six months' state service. These units were eventually supplemented by two further cavalry regiments, two battalions of State Guards, and a number of independent companies of artillery, mounted riflemen and infantry.