The purpose of this thesis is to chronicle the actions of the soldiers of Florida during the Civil War, both within and without Florida. As there has not been a great deal written on this topic, it is hoped that this thesis will contribute to the discussion and perhaps lead others to study this field.The soldiers of Florida during the Civil War deserve the same attention given to the soldiers from more prominent states. Those who fought for the Confederacy and stayed to defend their state often had to fight against overwhelming odds. Abandoned for a time by the Confederacy, those left behind had to do their best with what they had. Those who fought for the Union and returned to liberate their state often had to contend with the hatred of their fellow Floridians. They had better support and arms than their Confederate brethren, but fought for a state that branded them "traitors" and "deserters." The fight within Florida was not the whole story. Most of the soldiers from Florida who fought in the Civil War did so in other states. Often unhappy about being taken from the state they volunteered to fight for, most of them still proudly represented their state. This is not to say there were no problems. On the contrary, desertion and acts of cowardice were issues that needed to be addressed. This should not; however, take away from the contributions of the brave individuals and the groups they represented.Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of the state of affairs in Florida at the time of the Civil War. Chapters 2 through 6 detail events in Florida for each year of the war. The actions of both Union and Confederate sympathizers are described in as much detail as possible. From Fort Pickens to Cedar Key to Tampa to Jacksonville, and back again, the soldiers of Florida fought many battles throughout the state of Florida. Several times---at Tampa and Natural Bridge most notably---it came down to Floridians in the Confederacy vs. Floridians in the Union. Chapters 7 through 11 describe the actions of the Florida troops who fought in the larger war at places such as Chancellorsville and Antietam. These chapters are also divided by year. The majority of the soldiers of Florida were called upon to leave their state and go to other states to fight on behalf of the Confederacy. They did so, in many cases, very reluctantly. However, they distinguished themselves at places such as Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, and Gettysburg. When the Confederacy gave its last gasp at Petersburg and Appomattox Courthouse, soldiers of Florida were there. Chapter 12 speaks of individuals and smaller groups and the contributions---both large and small---they made. Chapter 13 sums up the information presented in the previous chapters, attempts to answer all of the questions raised within the text, and provides a conclusion to the work.

Abstract CROSS-IDEOLOGICAL SOLAR POWER COALITIONS IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH: AN ADVOCACY COALITION APPROACH By Brian T. Toibin, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018. Major Director: Dr. Damian Pitt Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Studies and Planning L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs The purpose of this study was to explore two particular cross-ideological coalitions that have formed in order to promote pro-solar power policies in Georgia and Florida through the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework. The membership of the coalitions include individuals and organizations from opposite sides of the current prevailing ideological spectrum which united to support pro-solar policies for reasons that are consistent with their ideological worldview. The coalition in Georgia is known as the Green Tea Coalition and the coalition in Florida is known as Floridians for Solar Choice. This qualitative study was guided by the following questions: 1) Why did supporters of solar power organize themselves into the particular coalition structures represented by Georgia’s Green Tea Coalition and the Floridians for Solar Choice Coalition?; 2) How have Georgia’s Green Tea Coalition and the Floridians for Solar Choice Coalition successfully managed their policy coalitions?; 3) How effective are these coalitions perceived to be by public policy players outside the coalitions?; 4) Do the Green Tea Coalition and the Floridians for Solar Choice Coalition represent an Advocacy Coalition approach? Engaging these questions through the effective theoretical lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework revealed a compelling example of cross-ideological cooperation within an increasingly divided political culture. Significant lessons concerning the formation and successful operation of coalitions were learned. The importance of strategic alliances, public belief systems, policy messaging, electorate education, policy learning, and careful political positioning are a few of the factors that enabled these coalitions to find success. The political success of these coalitions significantly advanced the role that solar power will be allowed to play in the future energy portfolio of these two influential states in the American South and across the country. While the positive results for the future of solar power engineered by the coalitions are impressive, perhaps the most important lessons revealed by the study concern the potential for progress and cooperation on other complex issues. A portfolio of difficult issues awaits action by persons of good faith willing to find a cooperative path on which to move forward. Coalitions will be required to address many of these difficult problems. The lessons and example provided by these two cross-ideological coalitions may help others produce a their own blueprint to encourage cross-ideological cooperation. This cooperation will be required if progress is to be made for the well being of current and future generations.