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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 103/340

Events of the Civil War

on Florida, our situation is full of danger from the want of meat.”34
In addition to cutting off this important supply of food to the
Confederacy Union military leaders also hoped an expedition into
East Florida would bring additional black recruits from Florida
plantations into the Union army. Equally important, if not most
important, was the political consideration that the expedition
might support Florida Unionists. Most Florida Unionists resided
in East Florida particularly in St. Augustine and Jacksonville.
These Unionists could create a loyal government which could be
recognized as the legitimate government of Florida and play an
important role for the Republican party in the upcoming election
of 1864.35
Major General Quincy A. Gillmore commanded the Depart­
ment of the South of the Federal Army. From his headquarters at
Hilton Head, South Carolina, Gillmore proposed, on December 15,
1863, that an expedition be conducted into Florida. Gillmore’s
superior, Major General H. A. Halleck, expressed an interest in
the proposal, and, on January 13, 1864, President Lincoln wrote to
Gillmore that the time seemed ripe. Such a venture would be most
worthwhile in establishing a loyal state government in Florida. On
January 31, 1864, Gillmore issued a formal statement listing the
objectives of the expedition:
First. To procure an outlet for cotton, turpentine,
lumber, timber, and the other products of the State.
Second. To cut off one of the enemy’s sources of
commissary supplies. He now draws largely upon the
herds of Florida for his beef. . . .
Third. To obtain recruits for my colored regiment.
Fourth. To inaugurate measures for the speedy re­
storation of Florida to her allegiance, in accordance with
instructions which I have received from the Presi­
dent. . . ,36
"Ibid., pp. 190-91.
35Tebeau, History of Florida, pp. 213-14.
36Official.Records, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXV, pt. 1, pp. 278-79; Mark E. Boyd. “The
Federal Campaign of 1864 in East Florida,” Florida Historical Quarterly 29 (July,
1950), pp. 3-5.
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