Florida Hispanics During the Civil War

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Llambias House (center left), St. Augustine, post Civil War.

Photo Credit: Charles Tingley, St. Augustine Historical Society

Stemming from Florida's Spanish Colonial heritage, a number of Florida Hispanics remained during the Civil War and often supported the confederacy.

With its long history as a Spanish colony, it is not surprising that Florida maintained a vibrant Hispanic population at the time of the Civil War. Centered primarily in Pensacola and St. Augustine, with smaller numbers scattered throughout the peninsula, the Hispanic population of Civil War era Florida was descended from the colonists who had remained there following the American acquisition of the territory.

Most Southern Hispanics gave their support to the Confederacy following secession. One roster for the entire Confederacy lists more than 6,000 soldiers, sailors and marines of Hispanic ancestry, along with civil officials, blockade runners and even a few female spies. Of those listed in this roster, the great majority came from Texas and Louisiana, but Florida appears to rank third, with more than 300 Hispanics who served in Florida units or with some connection to the state.

Every Florida Confederate military unit had at least one member with a Hispanic name on its roll, but the two Florida units with the largest number of Hispanics appear to have been the 3rd and the 8th Infantry Regiments. The Florida Independent Blues, later Company B of the 3rd Florida Infantry, was probably the most ethnically diverse unit from the state. Many of St. Augustine’s established Hispanic families joined its ranks.

To learn more, see: "Ancient City Defenders: The St. Augustine Blues" by David J. Coles, El Escribano,
Vol. 23, 1986.