Let’s do a thought experiment to open this month’s post. It is June 1863. You are a 32-year man who was born and raised in the Florida panhandle. You are married with four children still living. Your wife is a small woman with a strong will but losing a couple of children over the last … Continue reading April 1863 – April 1864: The Independence Experiment Begins to Falter and the Florida Panhandle Homefront Becomes Chaotic
Author: Northwest Florida History
Early Florida Confederate Regiments in the War for Southern Independence: 1861-1862
Let me shift hats from local historian to genealogist. If you really want to know how your Florida panhandle ancestor experienced the war, you must go beyond finding the same name on an index of Confederate soldiers from the general area where your ancestor lived and assuming it is the correct man and that the … Continue reading Early Florida Confederate Regiments in the War for Southern Independence: 1861-1862
April 1862 – April 1863: War Begins in Earnest. The Impacts Become Noticeable
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts on the War for Southern Independence (aka Civil War, War Between the States) in the Florida Panhandle (post 1) (post 2) (post 3). It will be followed within a few days by a follow-up post on some of the early Florida Regiments from this period. … Continue reading April 1862 – April 1863: War Begins in Earnest. The Impacts Become Noticeable
April 1861-April 1862: “Unnecessary, wanton and atrocious vandalism reaches much beyond the individuals who have suffered.” – A.C. Blount to Governor, 1862
This is the third in a series of blog posts on the War for Southern Independence (aka Civil War, War Between the States) in the Florida Panhandle (post 1) (post 2). Sorry it is a bit late. June was a challenging month! We left off in the last post with the closure of the Florida … Continue reading April 1861-April 1862: “Unnecessary, wanton and atrocious vandalism reaches much beyond the individuals who have suffered.” – A.C. Blount to Governor, 1862
1861: The Florida Panhandle’s Role in the War for Southern Independence, Part 2
Last month I began a series about the Florida Panhandle in the War for Southern Independence and this month we are going to pick up where we left off, at the Florida Secession Convention and explore the early days of the War in 1861. In January 1861, the delegates chosen to represent the State at … Continue reading 1861: The Florida Panhandle’s Role in the War for Southern Independence, Part 2
1861: The Florida Panhandle’s Role in the War for Southern Independence, Part 1
A hundred and sixty years seems like a lot and plenty of time to heal wounds and move forward. And yet, today’s political climate tells us it was either not enough time, or we didn’t bother to use the time wisely. We are still struggling with some of the same issues today that our ancestors … Continue reading 1861: The Florida Panhandle’s Role in the War for Southern Independence, Part 1
Celebrating Our History During a Pandemic: Taking a Step (or Two) Towards More Resilience While Having Fun!
I’ve seen a lot about the isolation and depression that seems to have gripped a lot of people during this past year. The pandemic has caused us to have to take stock in how we manage our lives day to day, how we interact with people, and how we entertain ourselves. All of that while … Continue reading Celebrating Our History During a Pandemic: Taking a Step (or Two) Towards More Resilience While Having Fun!
The Civil War and the Williford Webb Family of Holmes County, FL
I’ve been away for a while. Adjusting to not having my Mom with me and focusing on my Yellow River Baptist Church and Oak Grove writing projects. I’ve found it can be hard to think of a short writing project after a two month hiatus so I will share the life of one of my … Continue reading The Civil War and the Williford Webb Family of Holmes County, FL
Updates and Links to My Posts on Oak Grove in Okaloosa County, FL
How many of you have a place where your heart and soul has bonded with the land and when you find yourself there you have a feeling of intense peace and having arrived at your soul’s home? I know that sounds pretty New Age, but it is a real thing. And for me that place … Continue reading Updates and Links to My Posts on Oak Grove in Okaloosa County, FL
Updates and Links to My Posts on Yellow River Baptist Church
For any of you who have followed me for any length of time, you know one of my favorite subjects to discuss is Yellow River Baptist Church, in the very northern part of Okaloosa County, FL, nestled near the banks of the river by the same name. The church was founded in June of 1840, … Continue reading Updates and Links to My Posts on Yellow River Baptist Church
