Proud History Of The 7th Florida
During and following the three Indian wars many Florida citizens joined
local militia units. When the War Between The States became imminent these
units were enrolled in the state military and then into Confederate
service. Many of their records were lost or destroyed during
reconstruction.
On January 20, 1861, Florida seceded from the Union and became the third
Confederate State. In Gainesville, Florida, in April 1862, the "South
Florida Rifles" were mustered into Confederate States Army as Company B of
the 7th Florida Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Later that year the 7th was
sent to fight in General Kerby Smith's Kentucky Campaign. Then it guarded
vital Confederate communications in Tennessee, skirmishing continuously.
In 1863, now in the Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg, the
regiment won distinction at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, (September
19, 1863). That was followed by the Battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee,
(September 24, 1863) during which the regiment manned entrenchments at the
foot of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863) and took frightful losses as
the Federals pushed up those heights.
In the Atlanta Campaign fighting from Resaca, Georgia, (May 14, 1864) to
Peachtree Creek, (July 19, 1864) the 7th won new laurels and then marched
to the agony of the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, (November 30, 1864)
under General John Bell Hood. The survivors helped in contesting General
Sherman's march (starting January 30, 1865) across the Carolinas to the
Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, (March 19-21, 1865). This was the
last major battle for the Army of Tennessee. These are but a few of the 32
major engagements in which the 7th participated.
Captain Morton and General Forrest became close companions during the
war. Morton was a valued advisor to the General, and often charged with
the responsibility that meant the success or failure of General Forrest's
battle plan.
