During the American Civil War, Delaware was just as divided as the rest of the nation. While being home to
abolitionists, Underground Railroad conductors, and many volunteers, Delaware was also a border state and resisted the
final termination of slavery. Harold Hancock discusses Delaware’s political climate during the Civil War and the social
and economic impact of the war on the First State.

Delaware During the Civil War: A Political History
– by Harold B. Hancock

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

The Delaware Public Archives is pleased to announce the digital release of “The Abram H. Draper Collection.” This unique collection consists of 34 pieces of correspondence including letters and poetry from Sergeant Abram H. Draper to his wife Anna M. Wiley Draper during the American Civil War.

The content ranges from detailed descriptions of Draper’s time while on guard and picket duty to everyday details of the life of a Union soldier in the United States Army from 1861 – 1863. The collection also includes correspondence to and from members of Draper’s extended family, as well as letters and documents to Anna notifying her of his death on January 22, 1863, from typhoid fever at Camp Gilpins, Virginia.

The Abram H. Draper Collection may be accessed virtually at www.archives.delaware.gov or by calling (302) 744-5000 to schedule a visit to review the physical document collection at the Delaware Public Archives.

DELAWARE CITY – DNREC’s Fort Delaware State Park will host the second of the park’s two annual prisoner-of-war (P.O.W.) living history weekends at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11 and 12.

During this special weekend, Fort Delaware will come alive with re-enactors and historians dressed as they would have during the American Civil War. Visitors will be offered a fascinating and unique look at what life was like at Fort Delaware during the 1860s, including prisoners being processed, prisoner mail call, and firing demonstrations with blank charges of various 19th century weapons.

With a number of additional re-enactors from a wide geographic range participating in the days’ events, visitors will see Delaware history as it happened almost 160 years ago.
Fort Delaware is a Civil War-era structure built to protect the city of Philadelphia from attack via the Delaware River. During the Civil War, it was used as to house captured Confederates, Union criminals, and civilians arrested for acts of presumed disloyalty. Between the years 1862 and 1865, about 33,000 prisoners spent time at Fort Delaware. P.O.W. Weekends are the fort’s best opportunity to tell their stories.

Visitors also can view many of the park’s regular daily events, including seeing the fort’s blacksmith, listening to Civil War folk songs, watching musketry drills, and much more.
Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $11 for those 62 and older, and active military. Children under two get in free. Most special programs at the park are free with Pea Patch island admission.

The Fort Delaware ticket office and ferry launch is located at 45 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE 19706. Fort Delaware is regularly open from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DELAWARE CITY – This summer, Fort Delaware State Park will host its two annual prisoner-of-war (P.O.W.) living history weekends. Each historical event begins at 10 a.m. both days, Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15, and Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11 and 12.

During these special weekends, Fort Delaware will come alive with re-enactors and historians dressed as they would have during the American Civil War. Visitors will be offered a fascinating and unique look at what life was like at Fort Delaware during the 1860s, including prisoners being processed, prisoner mail call, and firing demonstrations with blank charges of various 19th century weapons.

With a number of additional re-enactors from a wide geographic range participating in the days’ events, visitors will see Delaware history as it happened almost 160 years ago.

Fort Delaware is a Civil War-era structure built to protect the city of Philadelphia from attack via the Delaware River. During the Civil War, it was used as to house captured Confederates, Union criminals, and civilians arrested for acts of presumed disloyalty. Between the years 1862 and 1865, about 33,000 prisoners spent time at Fort Delaware. P.O.W. Weekends are the fort’s best opportunity to tell their stories.

Visitors also can view many of the park’s regular daily events, including seeing the fort’s blacksmith, listening to Civil War folk songs, watching musketry drills, and much more.

Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $11 for those 62 and older, and active military. Children under two get in free. Most special programs at the park are free with Pea Patch island admission.

The Fort Delaware ticket office and ferry launch is located at 45 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE 19706. Fort Delaware is regularly open from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DELAWARE CITY – DNREC’s Fort Delaware State Park will host its annual Victorian Kids Fest from noon-3 p.m., Saturday, June 16. This special event is a collaborative program offered by the Fort Delaware Society and Fort Delaware State Park.

The day will feature Victorian kids’ games as well as costumes to try on, face-painting, and opportunities to win prizes. In addition, kids will have the chance to “join the Army” and learn to march like Civil War soldiers. Participation in Victorian Kids Fest events is free with park entrance fee.

Fort Delaware is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, with the last ferry to the island leaving at 3 p.m. Park entrance fee, including the ferry trip, is $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $11 for people 62 and older, and those who have served or are serving in the military.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 155