January 7, 1861, a lone United States army sergeant guards Fort Marion - the Castillo de San Marcos before Florida became a U.S. territory. With southern states rallying toward secession, some two dozen Fernandina militiamen demand the fort's surrender, and the sergeant turns over the keys without protest.

   Many of the fort's cannons are sent to Fernandina.

   Three days later, delegates from East and West Florida overwhelmingly approve secession. St. Augustine resident David Levy Yulee, the territory's Congressional delegate, helps unify the delegates.

   When news reaches St. Augustine on January 12, 1861, that Florida has seceded, the city celebrates with ceremonial flag raisings, church bells, and musket volleys, followed by a torchlight parade and bonfires.

   Three months later, Fort Sumter's surrender begins the Civil War.

   The initial enthusiasm for the war begins to fade when residents of St. Augustine realize their fledgling tourist industry has abruptly ended. To make matters worse, the Confederate Government soon imposes a steep tax on residents to finance the war effort.

   The Confederate occupation of Fort Marion and St. Augustine is short-lived.

   On the morning of March 11, 1862, federal gunboats anchor just outside the inlet. In anticipation of their arrival, the Confederate troops protecting the town abandon their posts and march off along with some of the town's leading citizens into Florida's interior.

   A rowboat brings U.S. Navy Commander Rodgers under a flag of truce to the town wharf where he meets Acting Mayor Bravo. The city council quietly signs a surrender decree and turns St. Augustine over to northern forces, who remain in control throughout the balance of the war.

Image superimposes the official National flag of the Confederacy, adopted in March, 1861, and dubbed the "Stars and Bars" to contrast the Union's Stars and Stripes.