[1] After Florida seceded from the United States on January 1, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln assembled a large amphibious naval armada.

At this point several warships of the Union Navy sailed down the St. Johns River to Jacksonville, Florida.

Confederate scouts reported that Federals established a strong picket outpost at a brick church.

Colonel W. S. Dilworth was conducting raids and attacking Union pickets to annoy the enemy.

Sample and Lieutenant Strange of the Third Florida at the brick church was ordered to capture the Federals and if possible with no bloodshed.