The Escambia Rifles are the historical forerunner of Company B, 146th Signal Battalion of the Florida Army National Guard.

In 1889 the Escambia Rifles were reorganized as Company A, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops.

[2] The Rifles were called into service in May 1898 in support of the Spanish–American War effort under the command of Capt.

The company was ordered to rendezvous at Fort Brooke, Tampa, leaving Pensacola on May 13 and arriving the following day.

While on federal service the company performed guard and other duties around Florida and Alabama.

On August 23, the company started movement to Huntsville, Alabama where they arrived two days later.

[5] Seventeen years after being demobilized, the unit reorganized as Battery D, 265th Coast Artillery Regiment in March 1936 under the command of Capt.