The year began on January 1st with another artillery duel between Union and Confederate forces at Pensacola. The Gulf Blockading Fleet was subdivided into East and West Regions. The West guarded the coast from St. Andrew Bay and west. The Union continued to add to their fleet including a large number of lighter draft vessels that could extend their reach into shallower waters. Confederate losses in other theaters of the war led to transfers of men out of the state. On February 24th Robert E. Lee issued orders to abandon the coastal defenses of Eastern Florida. Fernandina was first with the last troops leaving Amelia Island on March 3rd. St. Augustine followed on March 11th, and Jacksonville the following day. The Federals would garrison Fernandina and St. Augustine for the remainder of the war, while Jacksonville was occupied by Union forces for the first of four times. A Union landing party was repulsed at New Smyrna on March 23rd. Further troop withdrawals led to the evacuation of Pensacola on May 9th of 1862, it would remain in Federal hands for the duration of the war. Union forces would return to Jacksonville for the second time in 1862 in September and October but would not remain. Posts in this series will include:

March 3-4- Occupation of Fernandina/Amelia Island (link, also link to the History Museum), and Fort Clinch (link– also link to the Visitor Center) by the Union

March 11- Occupation of St. Augustine (link), Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos- link) and Fort Matanzas (link)

March 12- The First Occupation of Jacksonville (link) Union forces occupy the town but will leave a month later (April 9th)

March 23- A Union landing party is repulsed in the blockade running town of New Smyrna (link)

March 24- Union forces land at Apalachicola after Confederates abandon the town (link)

April 7- Affair at Saint Andrew Bay and Saltworks/Panama City (link)

An Unusual Monument in Lynn Haven, FL (link)

April 13- Tampa Naval Actions (link)

September 9, 1862- Destruction of a saltwork at St. Joseph Bay (link)

September 10-11, 17 and October 1-3- The Second Occupation of Jacksonville, Engagements at St. John’s Bluff and the Yellow Bluff Forts (link). The Federals occupy Jacksonville for less than a week and leave on the 9th.