While it rarely experienced the level of action seen in other parts of the South, Florida would nonetheless have its share of involvement during the years of the Civil War. Some of the state's greatest contributions would become more realized as the conflict went along. Within Florida's borders was a wealth of agricultural supplies, including beef, fruits, vegetables, leather, and cotton that would be of immense value in supporting the Confederate military forces. Florida also had the longest coastline, some 1,400 miles, of any state in the Confederacy, and this was dotted with several large ports and numerous smaller harbors and inlets. With the Confederacy's reliance on foreign trade to help support the war effort, and considering the presence of the Union blockading fleet that was intended to hinder this flow of supplies, these ports would be havens for blockade runner vessels seeking to get through the blockade, trade with other nations, and return with much needed supplies. The coastline also provided another benefit as well. Salt, needed for the preserving of meat, was produced by boiling sea water in large iron kettles until only the salt remained. Numerous salt works facilities were located along the coast of Florida.
As the war progressed, numerous battles and skirmishes took place across Florida. While no engagements took place there, the Citrus County area still had its role in the Civil War. David Levy Yulee, a local resident, was one of the prominent citizens of Florida. He was instrumental in the construction of the state's first railroad, which ran from Fernandina on the Atlantic coast to Cedar Key on the Gulf of Mexico. Yulee was also Florida's first U. S. senator and an ardent secessionist. Before Florida formally seceded from the United States, Yulee and fellow Senator Stephen Mallory attempted to secure details regarding the United States military posts located in the state.
Yulee also established a 5,100 acre plantation he named Margarita close to the Homosassa River. Among the crops grown here were citrus fruits, cotton, and sugar cane. By 1851, the plantation had around 1,000 workers. Machinery was brought from New York to Florida for the sugar mill that was built of native limestone. The plantation would provide sugar, syrup, and molasses to Confederate forces. Supplies for the Southern armies were also stored at Yulee's home.
As the Union naval blockade became more effective and Union ships began to closely guard the larger ports, the smaller inlets and harbors became all the more valuable as ports for the blockade runner ships. The Crystal River and the Homosassa River were among these locations, and before long they would also attract the attention of the Union forces. In April 1863, Union ships along Florida's Gulf coast were advised to be on guard for several ships, among them the Montgomery, Isabel, Warren, Fannie, and the Little Lily, that may attempt to slip through the blockade and enter nearby harbors. Among the inlets to be watched closely were Bayport, the Crystal, Homosassa, Waccassa, and Suwannee Rivers. Before long, four of these ships had been captured by the Union navy.
The Union fleet would capture more of the blockade runner ships during the war. On March 23, 1863, three Union vessels, the U. S. S. Fort Henry, U. S. S. Ezilda, and U. S. S. Wanderer, seized the Ranger near the inlet of the Crystal River. In April 1864, Union ships captured more blockade runners in the area. On April 11, the Three Brothers was taken at the Homosassa River by the U. S. S. Nita. The Good Hope was destroyed by the U. S. S. Fox on April 18 near the same location.
On May 29, 1864, a Union ship sailed up the Homosassa River toward Yulee's house. Finding Confederate supplies stockpiled there, the Union navy troops burned the residence. The sugar mill was not destroyed, as it was located some distance from the house, but was never used again.
Union and Confederate forces did not meet in battle in the Citrus County region. The closest engagements to the area were likely the Brooksville Raid in July 1864 and the Union raids on Cedar Key in January 1862 and February 1865.
The remains of the Yulee Sugar mill are today preserved as a state park in Homosassa. The park was donated to the Citrus County Federation of Women's Clubs by Claude Brooks Root in 1923. In 1953, the Women's Club donated the site to the State of Florida. Today the remains of the mill are preserved in the state park. The chimney, machinery, cooking kettles, boiler, and well remain on the site. A walkway winds around the structure and is lined with historical markers. The Hernando Heritage Museum in Brooksville has information regarding the Brooksville Raid. The Cedar Key State Museum has exhibits about the island's role during the Civil War in Florida.
Contributed by Lieutenant Col. Keith Kohl,
2nd Brigade (attached to Hardy's Brigade)