1861 Confederate States House of Representatives elections in Florida
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The 1861 Confederate States House of Representatives election in Florida was held on Wednesday, November 6, 1861, to elect the two Confederate States Representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's congressional districts, to represent Florida in the 1st Confederate States Congress. The election coincided with the elections of other offices, including the Confederate States presidential election and various state and local elections.
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November 6, 1861
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Both of Florida's seats to the Confederate States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The winning candidate would serve a two-year term in the Confederate States House of Representatives from February 18, 1862, to February 17, 1864.[1][2]
Background
Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, and joined the Confederate States of America. The state appointed five delegates to the Provisional Confederate Congress, to serve in interim until the Congress first convened on February 18, 1862.[3]
District 1
Candidates
- Antonio A. Canova, state representative[4]
- James M. Commander, former U.S. Army general[5]
- James Baird Dawkins, former U.S. attorney for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Florida[6]
- Philip Dell, former president of the Florida Senate[4]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | James Baird Dawkins | 1,462 | 36.07% | N/A | |
| Independent | Philip Dell | 1,050 | 25.91% | N/A | |
| Independent | Antonio A. Canova | 980 | 24.18% | N/A | |
| Independent | James M. Commander | 561 | 13.84% | N/A | |
| Majority | 412 | 10.17% | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 4,053 | 100% | |||
Aftermath
Dawkins resigned from Congress on December 9, 1862, following his appointment to a state court by Governor John Milton. The special election to replace him was won by John Marshall Martin.
District 2
Candidates
- Frederick R. Cotton, planter[8]
- Robert Benjamin Hilton, former U.S. representative-elect[3]
- James L. Mosely, former North Carolina state representative[9]
- John Tanner, former Orange County commissioner[10]
- Frederick L. Villepigue, secretary of state of Florida[4]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Robert Benjamin Hilton | 1,668 | 38.68% | N/A | |
| Independent | James L. Mosely | 937 | 21.73% | N/A | |
| Independent | Frederick R. Cotton | 774 | 17.95% | N/A | |
| Independent | John Tanner | 497 | 11.53% | N/A | |
| Independent | Frederick L. Villepigue | 436 | 10.11% | N/A | |
| Majority | 731 | 16.95% | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 4,312 | 100% | |||
