In 1862, Fort Barrancas in Pensacola was an important base of operations for Union movements into Florida and Alabama, but it was not always controlled by the North.

Just days before Florida joined the Confederacy, state troops seized two of the three federally held forts- including Fort Barrancas- built to protect the navy yard in Pensacola.

Following Union raids on Barrancas in September 1861, the Confederates counter-attacked in an attempt to take nearby Fort Pickens in the battle of Santa Rosa Island.

To meet the need for more Southern troops in the West, soldiers abandoned Pensacola in the summer of 1862. The Union quickly retook the forts guarding Pensacola Bay, including Barrancas, which is still standing today.

Archaeologists recently found evidence of the North's reoccupation when they located the site of the Union barracks inside Fort Barrancas. They found the brick foundation pillars of the building, a fire pit, and a trash pit containing Union munitions.

Written and produced by the Florida Public Archaeology Network, WUWF Public Media, and narrated by Dr. Judy Bense. Image provided by the Florida Memory Project.