Today in Florida During the Civil War …

January 12

1861 Confederate forces seize the U.S. Navy Yard at Pensacola. Forts McRee and Barrancas were also taken. Federal forces garrisoned Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island.

 

1861 - Fort Barrancas and the navy yard at Pensacola, were seized. The late commander of the navy yard, in a dispatch to Government says: 11 Armed bodies of Florida and Alabama, troops appeared before the gate of the navy yard, and demanded possession. Having no means of resistance, I surrendered and hauled down my flag. They are now in possession."

( From The Record of the Rebellion, Volume I, page 14 )

1861 - A dispatch to the Florida senators announced the same as follows. "We repaired down here and captured Fort Barraneas and navy yard, and then paroled the officers, granting them permission to continue to occupy their quarters. We are now in possession. This move was in consequence of the Government garrisoning Fort Pickens, which has before remained unoccupied. You will propose to the Administration, resuming the status quo antebellum and we will immediately evacuate."

The Pensacola navy yard contains a hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars' worth of ordnance stores. - Richmond Enquirer, January 14, 1861. ( from The Record of the Rebellion, Volume I, Page 14)