Civil War Delaware: The First State Divided

by Michael Morgan

In the years preceding the Civil War, Delaware was essentially divided--as a slave state, it had many ties to the South, but as the first state to ratify the federal Constitution, it was fiercely loyal to the Union. With the outbreak of war, the First State rallied to Lincoln's call and sent proportionally more troops to fight for the Union than any free state. Yet even as the renowned Du Pont mills provided half of the Union gunpowder, Southern sympathizers transported war materiel to the Confederacy via the Nanticoke River. Author Michael Morgan deftly navigates this complex history. From Wilmington abolitionist Thomas Garrett, who helped 2,700 fugitive slaves flee north, to the prison camp at Fort Delaware that held thousands of captured Confederates and political prisoners, Morgan reveals the remarkable stories of the heroes and scoundrels of Civil War Delaware.

Genres: Civil War, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

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Reviews

[Tom Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaware is obviously one of the smaller states, so it's no surprise that this book was fairly short. Morgan did a great job of relying on historical sources and accounts and walking a fine line while depicting Delaware's role in the Union as a slave state. There were lots of interesting stories and tidbits, both about the events that occurred on Delaware soil (or waters, mostly) or were experienced by Delawareans at the front.

[Harry Brake · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing to understand the division that was happening in the country as well as in Delaware. The democrats ultimately voting against abolition of slavery was as surprising as the failure to recognize anyone of African American that served in the Civil War. The state itself was in constant disagreement about pro union or pro confederacy, as well as the issue of slavery.

While Delaware does not seem that particularly located in the south, the number of prosouth economic and social support was much, and you realize that in this account by Michael Morgan as well. In addition, it is shocking how much Delaware contributed to the war effort by means of military division that I never had hard of as well.

Realizing the involvement and frequency of Wilmington visited from various divisions of generals, troops, and action, as well as the role of Fort Delaware, to the involvement of Lewes and cannons there, to the involvement of the DuPont family, to beginning of countless ships sunk off the Lewes coast, this extensive account does much to bring the realities of the Civil War, both within the state and brought to the state to realization.

The photographic record that Morgan is able to supply enhances the conflicts and trials that the Civil War obviously brought to the country, but also brought to Delaware. Without such a specific and detailed account, little to anyone would realize the countless role Delaware played in the Civil War itself. Very intriguing and interesting the whole way through!

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Civil War buff, I had always wondered how the war played out in Delaware, a small pro-slavery border state. Michael Morgan’s short book explains the situation quite well. A vast majority of the residents of Delaware took the status as ‘First State’ quite proudly and remained loyal to the union. Most of the Southern sympathizers remain in the southern agricultural county of Sussex. Overall, a very good book!

[John R Urry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting how this small state had a big role in the conflict......good stories .

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summation of the situation in my home state during the Civil War.

9 boat rides to Fort Delaware out of 10!

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short historical stories of Delaware in the Civil War when the state was divided between some folks wanting to join the South and others wanting the North.