Gary Loderhose

Way Down Upon the Suwannee River: Sketches of Florida During the Civil War Gary Loderhose

When the Civil War erupted, Florida was a rough and independent frontier state recognized by few outside of its boundaries. During the war Florida gave an equal amount of men, in ratio to the state's population, than any other Confederate state. Yet Florida's Civil War involvement remains hidden in the obscure shadow of the more influential Southern states. Are the names Bradford, Dickison, Finegan, Lang, Pearson, or Perry familiar? What was the importance of the Battle of Santa Rosa Island? Why was the Florida Brigade criticized following the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg? What was Florida's home front like? What was the Cow Cavalry? What was Florida's Civil War Governor like? The answers to these colorful questions are found within these pages. Florida's Civil War involvement was a substantial and costly one. Those who molded history way down upon the Suwannee River tell their amazing stories.