AT THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR, FOLLOWING THE SURRENDER OF THE MAJOR CONFEDERATE ARMIES IN APRIL 1865, TALLAHASSEE STOOD AS THE ONLY SOUTHERN STATE CAPITAL EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER STILL UNOCCUPIED BY NORTHERN TROOPS.

THAT ALL CHANGED AS U.S. ARMY BRIGADIER GENERAL EDWARD MCCOOK TRAVELED SOUTH FROM MACON, GEORGIA, WITH TWO REGIMENTS OF UNION CAVALRY.

ARRIVING ON MAY 10TH, MCCOOK TEMPORARILY HALTED HIS TROOPS NORTH OF TALLAHASSEE AND QUIETLY ENTERED THE CITY ON HORSEBACK, ACCOMPANIED ONLY BY STAFF OFFICERS. HE SET UP HIS HEADQUARTERS AT THE HAGNER HOUSE ON PARK AVENUE (KNOWN TODAY AS THE KNOTT HOUSE MUSEUM). THE NEXT DAY, SOLDIERS IN BLUE UNIFORMS OCCUPIED THE CAPITAL CITY.

THE FORMAL CEREMONY MARKING THE TRANSITION OF POWER OCCURRED ON MAY 20TH, WITH A FLAG-RAISING AT THE CAPITOL AND BRIGADIER GENERAL MCCOOK’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

EVERY MAY 20TH AT 11:30, THE KNOTT HOUSE MUSEUM AT 301 EAST PARK AVENUE, COMMEMORATES THE EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES IN FLORIDA, FOLLOWED BY A READING OF THE PROCLAMATION, PERIOD MUSIC, AND A PICNIC IN NEARBY LEWIS PARK.

Courtesy of the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources