Timeline of Emancipation

1863

January 1

Emancipation goes into effect for Key West

January 29

Formerly enslaved people in Key West celebrate their emancipation

May 22

The U.S. War Department issues General Order No. 143

The U.S. War Department issues General Order No. 143, allowing the enlistment of U.S. Colored Troops.

1864

February 10

Union and Confederate troops face off at the Battle of Olustee

Union and Confederate troops face off at the Battle of Olustee, near Lake City. It was the largest battle of the war to take place in Florida, and involved three regiments of U.S. Colored Troops, a number of who were killed in the fighting. The Confederate troops successfully repelled the Union Army.

1865

April 2

The Union Army captures the city of Richmond

The Union Army captures the city of Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy.

April 9

Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders

Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ended the US Civil War.

April 14

President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated

President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated which attended the theater in Washington, DC.

April 26

Union troops take over Tallahassee

Union troops take over Tallahassee and Florida’s Confederate leaders surrender.

May 10

Brigadier Gen. Ed McCook and the Union Army arrive in Leon County

Brigadier General Ed McCook and the Union Army arrive in Leon County to receive the surrender of Florida’s Confederate troops.

May 20

Union General Ed McCook reads the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee

Union General Ed McCook reads the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee, Florida, and raised the US flag over the capitol. This ended slavery in Florida as a matter of law. A celebration of freedom is held at Bull Pond in Tallahassee (now called Lake Ella).