Source

State Archives of Florida, Series S1319

Description

The muster roll of the Fernandina Volunteers dating from December 1860 or January 1861.

Date

1860 (circa)

Format

Muster Rolls

Topic

Military And Veterans

Subjects

Civil war

Geographic Term

Fernandina
Nassau County

General Note

Joseph Finegan was one of Florida's most prominent Civil War leaders. Born in Clones, Ireland, Finegan moved to the United States as a young man. He served in the U.S. Army before eventually locating in northeast Florida. In the antebellum years, Finegan became wealthy as a planter, lumberman and railroad builder. He was also active in politics, serving in the 1861 Secession Convention. In 1862, he received an appointment as brigadier general. Finegan commanded Confederate forces in the 1864 battle of Olustee and during 1864-1865 he commanded the Florida Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. Finegan's first military service during the Civil War period, however, began in December 1860, when he organized and was elected captain of a volunteer militia company known as the Fernandina Volunteers. In January 1861, the Fernandina Volunteers were formally enrolled into state service. The company garrisoned Fort Clinch during parts of 1861. Surviving records document that Finegan served as commander of the post of Fernandina from January 21. Little other documentation exists as to the company's activities, although after Finegan's promotion to lieutenant colonel in May 1861, Henry C. Dozier was elected captain. The company most likely disbanded sometime in late 1861 with the men joining other units such as the Second, Third and Ninth Infantry Regiments, and the Second Florida Cavalry.