The Union Attack on Cedar Key – Cedar Key, Florida
January 16, 1862 (10 o’clock on the morning) – The Union Navy’s U.S.S. Hatteras attacked Cedar Key initiating one of the first significant incidents of the Civil War in Florida. It also marked the end of the Confederacy’s use of the island port as a harbor for blockade runners.
A Confederate eyewitness described the developing attack:
… At about 10 o’clock in the forenoon, a vessel of the Federal fleet came in sight and anchored off the harbor. About that time the schooner Stag, which was ready for service, commenced weighing anchor. As soon as the Yankees discovered this, they fired three shots at her, all of which fell short. The owner of the Stag then ran her ashore and set her on fire, the crew making their escape. The few soldiers, with a number of the ladies at Way Key, attempted to make their escape in a flat and reach the railroad; but were unable to reach the shore. The Yankees perceiving their situation, sent out from their vessel three boats, who captured the flat, and put the men in irons. The men in the flat, some fifteen in number, having no arms, no resistance was made.
The Federal sailors then boarded the Anna Smith, a schooner tied to the wharf, and attempted to tow her out of the harbor but were unable to do so. The vessel was burned, as were the schooners Wyfe and Aucilla. Another vessel, the Fanny, ran for it and managed to escape south along the coast into the Crystal River. Several fishing smacks also were burned.
The wharf, warehouses and other facilities of the Florida Railroad on Way Key were fired, as were the barracks and other buildings on Seahorse Key.
So far as is known, only three hostile shots were fired in the engagement, all by the guns of the Hatteras. No one was injured. While the islands were not occupied by Federal forces at the time, Cedar Key would soon became an important station for the Union army and navy.
The Cedar Key Museum Historic State Park is a great place to learn more about the Civil War on the islands. Please click here for more information.
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