Timeline of Emancipation
Timeline of Emancipation
1863
Emancipation goes into effect for Key West
Formerly enslaved people in Key West celebrate their emancipation
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
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..Read More
1865
The Union Army captures the city of Richmond
The Union Army captures the city of Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy.
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.
President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated which attended the theater in Washington, DC.
Union troops take over Tallahassee
Union troops take over Tallahassee and Florida’s Confederate leaders surrender.
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.
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).