May 20, 1865---The Surrender of Tallahassee

MAY 20, 1865:          

The Surrender of Tallahassee, Florida:

The last remaining State capital (east of the Mississippi) in Confederate hands surrenders to Union troops, and the United States flag is unfurled over the State’s Capitol Building.

For Lieutenant Francis Fleming C.S.A. Tallahassee’s fall was, “a sad and terrible result," but many Floridians were elated by the news, even some very weary Confederate soldiers, whose local units fired cannon salutes upon receipt of the news. The Cause had indeed gone.

The Parole of a Florida soldier, issued at Appomattox Court House on April 10, 1865

The State’s African-American population rejoiced, for following the raising of the U.S. flag, the Emancipation Proclamation was read out.