Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/771

Rh captain of a volunteer company, he served in the Florida Indian war of 1837-39. In 1846 he moved to Jackson county, Florida, and devoted himself mainly to the occupations of a planter, appearing in court only occasionally, but continuing his interest in public affairs. His voice was heard in every political contest from 1846 to 1860. He was elected to the Florida State Senate in 1849 and was Democratic elector in 1848. As a member of the national Democratic convention in 1860, he was a warm supporter of General Breckinridge. In the same year he was elected governor of Florida, and in 1861 was inaugurated for a term of four years. He warmly endorsed the action of his State in secession and at once began active efforts for military defense. In 1864 and 1865 there were heavy and repeated calls for men and provisions. The old and young of Florida, inspired by the influence of their governor, had enlisted, and fighting in other fields left her extensive coast insufficiently guarded. Ports were seized by the enemy, and invasions made of the interior. In March, 1865, the United States troops landed at St. Marks, threatening the capital, but were repulsed at Natural Bridge. In this action Governor Milton’s eldest son, Maj. W. H. Milton, commanded the cavalry, and another son, John Milton, a thirteen-year-old lad, fought with the cadets of the Tallahassee military school. These attacks upon his State, and the conviction that the Confederacy was gradually growing weaker, caused much distress to the governor, and as a result of four years nervous strain, he became a victim of brain affection and died April 1, 1865. By his first marriage to Susan Amanda Cobb, of Athens, Ga., one son survives, Maj. William H. Milton, who has been conspicuous in the affairs of the State. By his second marriage to Caroline Howze, of Alabama, two sons are living, John Milton and Jefferson Davis, one in Florida and one in Texas, and three daughters.