
The Union Prison at Fort Delaware
A Perfect Hell on Earth
Brian Temple(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 3. November 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
183 pages
978-0-7864-6629-0 (ISBN)
Description
Located on Pea Patch Island at the entrance to the Delaware River, Fort Delaware was built to protect Wilmington and Philadelphia in case of an attack by sea. When the Civil War broke out, Fort Delaware's purpose changed dramatically--it became a prisoner of war camp. By the fall of 1863, about 12,000 soldiers, officers, and political prisoners were being held in an area designed to hold only 4,000--and known as the "Andersonville of the North," a place where terrible sickness and deprivation were a way of life despite the commanding general's efforts to keep the prison clean and the prisoners fed.
Many books have been written about the Confederacy's Andersonville and its terrible conditions, but comparatively little has been written about its counterparts in the North. The conditions at Fort Delaware are fully explored, contemplating what life was like for prisoners and guards alike.
Many books have been written about the Confederacy's Andersonville and its terrible conditions, but comparatively little has been written about its counterparts in the North. The conditions at Fort Delaware are fully explored, contemplating what life was like for prisoners and guards alike.
Reviews / Votes
"an interesting regional history...useful...recommended"-Choice; "does a good job in explaining how the suspension of habeas corpus compounded by the breakdown of the prison exchange cartel resulted in the overcrowding"-Civil War Courier; "a great job...excellent descriptions...worth putting on...bookshelves"-The Civil War News; "exhaustive"-Colorado Libraries; "balanced and objective...a good introduction"-North & South.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
358 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-6629-0 (9780786466290)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Brian Temple has had book reviews and articles published in America's Civil War, The Scream Factory, Command and Fencers Quarterly Magazine. He lives in New Jersey.
Content
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
1. Construction of Fort Delaware
2. From One Extreme to Another
3. Exchanges and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
4. The Growth of the Prison Population
5. Life on the Devil's Half Acre
6. Hope and Survival on the Devil's Half Acre
7. Difference of Opinion-The Other Side of the Dead
8. Outside Influences
9. The End of the Line
Appendix: Regulations for Union War Prisons
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Preface
Introduction
1. Construction of Fort Delaware
2. From One Extreme to Another
3. Exchanges and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
4. The Growth of the Prison Population
5. Life on the Devil's Half Acre
6. Hope and Survival on the Devil's Half Acre
7. Difference of Opinion-The Other Side of the Dead
8. Outside Influences
9. The End of the Line
Appendix: Regulations for Union War Prisons
Notes
Bibliography
Index