Well, I think that because Florida did not give it's final "we really mean it, we're outta here" declaration until Jan.10. The first votes were to Not secceed. Gov Perry kept calling em back til they agreed to secceed.The 'then' US Senators from Florida in Washington, David Yulee and Stephen R. Mallory, asked for an accounting of the stores and materials from the military command in DC present at that time for the military post in the state but were told they were not going to get an answer because it was in the "army's best interest". The entire timeline is very wiggley. The whole time Yulee and Mallory were trying to get Perry to order local militias to take the forts. On Jan 9, Slemmer got orders to hold on and keep the forts. He figured Pickens was the best advantage and he started moving in. They didn't get into Ft Pickens until Jan 9 so he already had figured out what he was going to do.. He messed up the Barrancas cannons facing the pass too. Barrancas was not secured from the land side. There was Ft Redoubt and there's been a 'local legend' there was a tunnel connecting them. I don't believe it was a tunnel but just a big trench so they could move between post without being exposed. I grew up with some boys who 'thought' they'd found the tunnel entry at ReDoubt. All 4 were buried alive. As luck would have it, one got out and help arrived and all were saved. Today, that area is full of cement to prevent any more teens from being stupid.

In all this, Gov Perry had, prior to these events, asked the US for a new Militia Law and for provisions at the arsenals. The money was granted for the provisions but wasn't used. Perry figured out what Chase and others had been saying was probably correct. Florida was not equiped for war. The 'spirit' was there but the 'body' wasn't moving type of deal. Perry requested Gov. Moore send assistance from Alabama to secure the forts. Moore agreed. That may be why Bragg had so many Alabama troops in the beginning. I'm not sure on that point. Anyhow, the dates are conflicted. Some were making plans and trying to get things done before the ink was dipped from the well for the signatures on the seccession papers.
Then there was something about Perry not being sure if the Florida militia was really legal. (Gotta read up on that one.) Slemmer moved to Pickens, and then the fight started.

Pam