USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 84
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In Delaware there were not only many citizens op- posed to the war, but there were a few who heartily desired the success of the Confederate States, The Secretary of War, in his report at the session of Con- gress which commenced in December, 1861, says : "At the date of my last report in July, the States of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri were threatened with rebellion. In Delaware, the good sense and patriotism of the people have triumphed over the unholy schemes of traitors."
On the 27th of June a meeting was called at Dover of "all the citizens of the State, without regard to for- mer party relations, opposed to civil war, and in favor of a peaceful adjustment of all questions which have distracted the country and produced its present la- mentable condition." About 1500 or 1600 persons as- sembled on Dover Green, twelve ear-loads of people coming from above Dover, and seven from below. On motion of Col. Wm: G. Whitely, the meeting was
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
temporarily organized by calling upon Robert W. Reynolds, of Kent County, to preside, and selecting N. W. Hickman, of Sussex, as secretary. The follow- ing committee was then appointed to recommend permanent officers: From Kent County, Dr. Henry Ridgely, William Collins, James Willimus, Ambrose Broadaway, Alexander Johnson ; New Castle, Gass- away Watkins, James R. Booth, John T. Enos, N. T. Boulden and William R. Lyman ; Sussex County, C. F. Rust. Ed. L. Martin, S. B. Hitch, Jo-iah Marvel. On motion, the meeting then adjonrned till one o'clock. At that hour the meeting was convened on the Green, where a stand had been erected.
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Dr. H. Ridgely, the chairman of the committee, re- ported the names of the following gentlemen as ofli- cers, whereupon, on motion, the report was unani- monsly adopted, viz., President, ex-Gov. William Ten .- ple ; Vice-Presidents, from New Castle Connty, Roth- well Wilson, Andrew C. Gray, James Matthews, John Farson, Wm. C. Lodge, Samuel G. Chandler. Aquilla Derrickson, Thos. Jamison, Sewell C. Biggs, Benjamin Gibbs. From Kent County, John Mustard, Robert B. Jump, Manlove Hayes, Rev. Thomas B. Bradford, Henry Pratt, Dr. T. C. Rogers, Andrew J. Wright, Moses Harrington, H. B. Fiddeman, Charles William- son. From Sussex County, Capt. Hugh Martin, Nathaniel Horsey, James Anderson, Harbeson Hick- man, John W. Short, Thomas Jacobs, Doughty Col- lins, Stephen Green, M.D., Shephard P. Houston, William F. Jones. Secretaries: Adam E. King, New Castle County ; R. M. Merriken, Kent County ; Charles H. Richards, M.D., Sussex County. On motion of Mr. Whitely, the following committee of ten from each county was appointed to prepare business for the meeting: New Castle County, Dr. John Merritt, James M. Watson, Dr. N. H. Clark, Adam V. Cullin, John P. Cochran, James Delaplaine, Nathan T. Bonlden, James Springer, William C. Lodge, Joseph Roberts. Kent County, John M. Voshell, Wilson T. Cannon, Dr. Gove Saulsbury, R. W. Reynolds, Alex. Johnson, William N. W. Dorsey, Edward Ridgely, George W. Anderson, Thomas Davis, William D. Fowler. Sus- sex County, C. R. Paynter, W. Wheatley, Noble Conaway, Isaac Giles, Nathaniel Horsey, A. J. Hor- sey, Dr. Joseph A. MeFerran, Joseph Ellis, J. S. Bacon, N. W. Hickman.
After the committee retired, Mr. Whitely was loudly called for and made a speech in opposition to the war and in favor of a peaceful adjustment of our national difficulties. Ile began by observing that eleven States had gone out of the Union, which he deplored, but they were determined to go out, and had gone, acting upon the glorious principle that all gov- ernment derived its power from the consent of the governed.
"They, eight millions of freemen, had resented continued aggresuon and interme idling, until the election of a Republican placed the list feather nyon the back of the pride, and they had calmly, quietly, determinedly retired. In God's name let them to unmolested : Would Delaware give money or mea to hold states is conquered provinces? or allow the everded states to be governed by free people, in whatever manner they chose to be governed ? Could the South be suhing cted ?
Never! All the wealth of mines and kingfonts would not posture de contitry to its unembarrassed omplition. All expenditurey were tie as there were not mienen with in the North tor aiquera ffer pruple f Ing for their rights, even aguust any odds Who wantl not, ther .. fwvor price now, if uges would still produce the sino testilte l.t . tax-privers of Delaware wane forth for prace, which would are qu; ,4 all that war could do."
Mr. Whitely was followed by Hon. Thomas F. Bayard in a lengthy, calm and temperate speech. H .. reminded his hearers that " with this secession, or ro. volution, or rebellion or by whatever name it may be called, the State of Delaware has naught to do. Toour constitutional duties toward each and every member of this Union we have been faithful in all times. Never has a word, a thought, an act of ours been un- faithful to the union of our fathers; in letter and in spirit it has been faithfully kept by us." But he ad- verted to the horrors of a fratricidal war on so gigantic a scale, the ruin that would be wrought, and the dan- ger that, whatever might be the issue, which no man then could foresee, constitutional liberty might peri-h in the struggle. Better, he thought, "while deeply deploring the revolution which has severed eleven States from the Union," if a peaceful accommodation was impossible, that the discontented States should be allowed to withdraw than run the awful risk of such a war. His calm and earnest eloquence had great weight, and, as will be seen, the meeting re- solved "that there was no necessity for convening the Legislature."
Mr. Bayard's speech calmed down the state of ex- eitement which prevailed at the meeting. "It brought to men's minds," as a leading Delawarean said, "the fact that they were in the Union-had no part in the rebellion, and that it was their duty to re- main as they were, and to keep Delaware as one of the United States." In this, as ever, Mr. Bayard ap- proved himself faithful to the Constitution and the Union under it, his devotion to which has never wavered, as witness his public record, from first to Jast.
At the conclusion of Mr. Bayard's speech. Dr. John Merritt reported the following resolutions, which were nnanimously adopted :
" Resolved : 1. That whilst we deeply deplore the revolution which lift severed eleven States from the Union, we prefer prace to civil war, and believe that if a rerum thation by peaceful means shaff become impossible, the acknowledgment of the independence of the Confederate stated is preferable to an attempt to conquer and hold them as subjugated provinces,
"2 That the reign of terror attempted to be inaugurated by the Wir Party, by denouncing all men as disuniunists, seresslouists and trattor-, who are opposed to civil war, and to the palpable and gross violation of the Constitution, committed by the present administration, will not if ter us from the expression of our opinion, both privately and puthely.
"3. That we believe the effect of the do trines and measures of tha War Party, If not their object and intent, under the name of preservn.z the Union, will be to the subversion of the State governmente, and the erection of a consolidated government on the ruins of the Federal Con- stitutinti.
" Revolved: That we tender our grateful thanks to Senatore Bayard and Saul-bury for the food and patriotic at al they avant 1, in the me tot session of the Third-sixth Congress, for the maintenance of the petit and prosperity of our new diete sted country, and we earnestly re, we them to use all hen rable means to bring the Misil War' which : & hangs over we like an inonline to a speeds close, and that if in the r judgment no other miele presentsitself whereby thuis end can be attade 1, to advocate the acknowled gment by the United States Government of the Independence of the Confederate States, so that peace and prosperity may be restored among us.
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Lol. Filles 1.2. 11.
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" Resolved : That the memonal demanding the resignation of the Hon. James A. Bayard, one of your Senatoriin the Setinte of the U'r ited states, originated in mob spirit, and should receive trom bon the south and con- tetupt which it mietit- trom every bott bable man.
" Required: That in the option of this meeting, there is no necessity for convening the Legislature of this Suite."
The meeting was then further addressed by A. E. King, Edward Ridgeley, Messrs. Henderson and Paynter and Dr. Edward Worrell.
In August, Dr. Jonas, Inspector of Customs at Seaford, seized several hundred rubber overcoats and twenty compasses, which had been sent from Balti- more to be shipped South by way of Salisbury, Md. They were confiscated and sold in Wilmington in November, 1861.
The brilliant victory of the land and naval forces under General Sherman and Commodore Du Pont at Port Royal, South Carolina, on November 7th, created the greatest enthusiasm iu Wilmington, where Com- modore Du Pont was well known. In honor of the event, the citizens fired a national salute of twenty-one guns on the 13th of November. This was followed by a salute of one hundred guns, tired by order of the City Council. In March, 1862, the captured flags sent from the South by Commodore Du Pont for the city of Wilmington, were presented with appropriate ceremonies in the Institute Hall. Speeches were made by Messrs. Harrington and Biddle.
The intrepidity displayed by Commodore John Prit- chett Gillis, of Delaware, at the bombardment of Port Royal, under the terrible fire of Fort Walker while in command of the "Seminole," was the sub- ject of mention in General Dayton's official report.
Commodore Gillis was born in Wilmington; but while young removed temporarily with his father to the State of Illinois. His temperament was marked by an ardor united with so untiring a perseverance, that he would never permit himself to admit a defeat in his endeavors. This boyish trait was the earnest of the man, whose heart later burned with patriotic zeal at the " drum-beat of the nation."
His yearning to enter the service of his country was gratified by his receiving an appointment of midshipman in the year 1825. From the date of his youthful honors to the day his heart was stilled in death, his life was one of usefulness to his country and bonor to the State which claimed him as her son.
His first cruise was in the frigate " Brandywine" to the Pacific, during the years 1820-29. In 1831 he was a passed midshipman in command of the schooner "Albion." In 1833 he was again at sea, as acting mas- ter of the frigate " Constellation," in the Mediterranean, and in 1835-86 he was executive officer of the re- ceiving-ship " Sea Gull," at Philadelphia. On the 9th of February, 1837, he was commissioned a lieutenant, and being ordered to the sloop-of-war " Falmouth," sailed for a second cruise in the Pacific. During this cruise he was transferred to the " Delaware," ship-of- the-line, arriving home in 1840. Two years later we find him again at sea, on board the frigate "Congress," in the Mediterranean Squadron. He was transferred to
the sloop-of-war " Prehle." as executive officer, and returned to the United States in 1843. The same year he was attached to the frigate " Raritan," and in 1844 he joined the frigate "Congress" on the Brazil station. In 1845 he was intrusted with the important duty of bearing despatches to the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Squadron; and in 1-46 he returned home, bearing despatches from our minister in Brazil.
When war was declared with Mexico, he sailed in the sloop-of-war " Decatur," to join Commodore Perry in the Gulf Squadron. He distinguished himself in the action which resulted in the capture of the forts and town of Tu-pan. Later he commanded the fo- tilla on the Alvarado River and became the governor of the towns of Alvarado and Tlacotalpan. During this period he fell ill of yellow fever, and was con- pelled to return to the United States. Ilis regret at being forced to relinquish his command was, perhaps, softened by the handsome letters sent him by Com- modore Perry and the Secretary of the Navy. From 1:51 to 1854 he was again at sea, in the Japan Expe- dition. In 1855 he was promoted to a commander, and was ordered to the steamer " Powhatan."
In 1861, when the nation was startled by the great Rebellion, and the guns of Fort Moultrie opened on the heroic Major Anderson in Fort Sumter, Commander Gillis sailed in command of the steamer " Poca- hontas" for Charleston, arriving only to find that Major Anderson had been compelled to surrender. From this hour the activity of Commander Gillis was unabated. His aets of heroism on the Potomac and James Rivers, and the energy with which he sprang to the succor of his country, brought him promi- nently into uotice. Surely the day-dreams of the boy were being fully realized! Under the most galling fire of the enemy he was ever cool and self-possessed. While commanding the "Seminole" at Port Royal, under the terrible fire of Fort Walker, Commander Gillis was the subject of mention in General Dray- ton's report. His well-earned promotion to post- captain occurred in 1862, and he took command of the steam-sloop "Ossipee," with the view of going in search of the rebel cruiser " Alabama," Unfortu- nately, the engines of his ship were found to be de- fective, and the enterprise was abandoned.
Captain Gillis then proceeded to join Admiral Far- ragut, in the West Gulf Squadron. During this service, duty carried him to Mobile, as well as to the coast of Texas, and in consequence of the exposure he had borne he became ill, and a medical board of survey condemned him, and he was sent home and placed on the retired list. In 1860 he was promoted to a commodore. In 1873 he was on duty at the Naval Asylum, Philadelphia, and apparently in his usual state of health; but, on visiting his home in Wilmington, intending to return the following morn- ing, he was suddenly taken ill, and on the 25th day of February, 1978, he departed from the scene of a well-spent life. He left a widow (who was Miss Elizabeth Tatnall), and two sons.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
In October, 1861, the Presbytery of Wilmington, in Middletown, adopted a series of patriotic re-olutions in favor of the government and the prosecution of the war. About the same time, at the request of Hon. Montgomery Blair, Postmaster-General. A. II. Grim- shaw, postmaster at Wilmington, recommended the ladies of that city and vicinity to form societies for the purpose of co-operating with the members of the Sanitary Commission, at Washington, in their efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the sick and wounded soldiers. In accordance with this request, sewing circles were formed in each church, and an immense number of articles of clothing, blankets and food supplies, necessary for the sick, were forwarded to the armies.
In April the friends of Commodore Du Pont on the Brandywine presented him with a beautiful sword.
Another son of Delaware, who performed gallant and meritorious service in the United States Navy, during the great Civil War, was Dr. Robert Hill Clark, Paymaster of the United States Navy. He was the son of Thomas Clark and Eliza Hill, daughter of the late Colonel Robert Hill, and was born at Fred- erica, Del., December 5, 1818. At the age of four- teen he was sent to Milford to attend the academy, where he acquired his preparatory education. From 1836 to 1840 he was a clerk in a hardware store in Philadelphia. He then returned to Delaware and during the three succeeding years was a merchant at Vernon, Kent County. In 1844 he began the study of medicine, entered the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York, and was grad- uated in 1846. Returning to Milford, he commenced the practice of medicine in partnership with his uncle, Dr. William Burton, where he remained, en- gaged in the duties of his profession until July 18, 1857, when he obtained a commission as Purser in the United States Navy. He was made Paymaster June 22, 1860; promoted to Pay Inspector March 3, 1871; promoted to Pay Director January 23, 1873, and was retired December 5, 1880, with the rank of Commodore.
His first duty was on the steamship "Fulton," in the Paraguay expedition, and he was next transfer- red to the steamship " Iroquois," on the Mediterra- nean station. While there the Rebellion began ; his vessel was ordered to New York and sent on block- ade duty off Savannah, Georgia, and from thenee was directed to cruise through the West Indies in search of the Confederate steamship " Sumter." This war- vessel was found by the "Iroquois" at the port of St. Pierre, on the Island of Martinique. The rules of international law would not allow her to be captured within the port, and the French government, owner of the island, ordered the " Iroquois " either to come to an anchor or go out one marine league from shore. she chose the latter, but despite a careful watch of several days the " Sumter," through the darkness of a foggy night, escaped.
The "Iroquois," on which Paymaster Clark was
still stationed, was now ordered to join the squadre of Admiral Farragut, to prepare for the attack .. New Orleans; was present at the capture of For Jackson and St. Philip, and at the battle of F. Chalmette, immediately below New Orleans, Da ing these severe engagements Paymaster Clark de praiseworthy service as physician and surgeon in re- lieving the sufferings of the wounded and dying.
After the evacuation of New Orleans the " Iroquois" and the steamer " Mississippi" were sent down the river to assist and protect the smaller Union vessel- She next went up the river, and assisted in the cap- ture of Baton Rouge and Natchez. She passed the batteries at Vicksburg, June 28, 1862, and also on July 16, 1862, on the return to New Orleans. From thence the "Iroquois " was ordered to New York and put out of commission.
In December, 1862. Paymaster Clark was ordered to Pensacola Navy- Yard, in charge of the West Gulf squadron, and remained on duty there till the close of the war. His next term of duty was at Box- ton, as paymaster from 1865 to 1868. He then re- ceived orders to accompany the South Pacific squad- rou as fleet-paymaster. Joining the United State- ship "Powhatan" and returning to New York in September, 1569, he was sent ou the same ship as fleet-paymaster of the East Gulf squadron. In Jan- uary, 1870, the " Powhatan " went out of commission at Philadelphia. Ou May 1, 1870, he was made in- spector of clothing and provisions at the Philadel- phia Navy-Yard, continuing until 1873, when he be- came paymaster at the United States Naval Asylum, remaining until 1875.
In February, 1877, he was again ordered to the Philadelphia Navy-Yard as inspector of provisions and clothing, continuing in that position until Sep- tember 1, 1879.
On December 5, 1680, he was retired under the act of Congress, having attained the age of sixty-two years. He returned to Milford, which he always recognized as his home since the time he first came to it as a school-boy. In all Paymaster Clark was twenty-three years in active service, filling all the po- sitions of responsibility and trust assigned to him with eminent satisfaction to his superiors, being dis- tinguished for the marked accuracy, ability and fidel- ity with which he discharged his official duties.
December 4, 1848, he married Eliza P. Cubbage, of Kent County, Delaware. Three children were born of this union, all dying in childhood.
Both he and his wife were communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford.
In 1842 he was made a Mason in Temple Lodge No. 9, at Milford.
After spending seven years in the quietude of his home, surrounded with every comfort, he was stricken with paraly-is December 17, 1857, and died from its effects three days later.
Ile was a man of remarkable business tact and energy, quick of. apprehension, sound in judgment.
Robut it black.
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firm in his convictions and devoted and faithful in all his domestic relations. He was large of stature, and dignified and courtly in bearing, a man of inflexible honesty and spotless integrity.
At the breaking out of the war many mechanics were thrown out of employment, and general stagna- tion prevailed in all branches of business. This did not however, continne very long, for when the government began active operations there was great necessity for all kinds of manufactured artieles. This demand gave em- ployment to a great many manufacturers in Wilming- ton, and mechanics were in great demand. Among the first government contracts given to Wilmington was one for building the steam boilers, engines and ma- chinery for the United States sloop-of-war " Juniata," then being constructed at the Philadelphia Navy- Yard. It was awarded in September, 1861, to Me -- rs. Pusey, Jones & Co., and amounted to about $100,000.
The immense demands that the war occasioned up- on the ship yards of Wilmington gave full employ- ment to them, and the heavy and urgent requisition> of the government were met with a corresponding en- ergy of production. The largest orders were filled with a promptness and fidelity which elicited the special thanks of the department- and the praise of the officers to whom the work was delivered. Among the first vessels sold to the government, of Wilmington manufac- ture, was the side-wheel steamer " Delaware," built by Messrs. Harlan, Hollingsworth & Co. This enterpris- ing firm built some of the most historie gunboats and monitors mentioned in our naval history. Among them may be mentioned the monitor " Patapsco," "Saugus," " Napa " and others.
James H. Deputy, ship-builder at Milford, also sold one or more gunboats to the government, The United States steiner " Ming ," was built at the ship-yard of D. S. Mershon. 1
Government army wagons were built for the gov- erment by Messrs. Flagler & Woolman, tent-poles were made by Messrs. Wright & Allen, and Henry S. McComb had large contracts for furnishing knapsacks, stocks and other army and navy supplies. "
1 John D. Benton, of Wilmington, manufactured for a number of builders of iron vessels a model of the orizin il " Monitor," made out of pure gold. It was 27 inches long. 51 ; inches wide and 11; inches deep. It had a revolving turret with gnus. a smoke-pipe, binna le, stramt- winstle, machinery, &c. The machinery winch turned the turret also played an organ with fourteen tones The model cost seven thousand dollars, and was presented to Captain Julin Ertieson, the inventor of the " Monitor."
" The Union men of Color No.K. Sussex County, in August, Ist, or- ganized a " Home Guard " with the following officers : Captain. R. H. DAVIS; First Lieutenant, Henry B. spence ; > cond Lieutenant, Jatiirs Reed. In September the patriotic citizens of Lewes raised the stars and stripes and the discharge of cannon, the beating of drums de. Aire -- es were made by Mesta. IL. F. Rones, S. Alums And L. Wa, tes. In the- tober the luttes of the upper part of Christiana Hundred were In-dy en- gaged in preparing underclothing and other supplies for the soldiers. A laches' mothers' allowdirty, composed of the leading ladies of t undden, Del- aware, was formed in November, Is il. The holes of Pencader Hundred in January, 1904, seut a stiu of m mney and many Heresats arte les to the members of the sa and Delaware Regiment. The ladies of Mag- tiolie, Kent County, alemnt the sime time sent miny nsetof articles to the sick and wounded soldiers. A Lait's' And Sourty was formed Oktober 19th, by the Loties of Mill Creek and Christians Hundred, at the request of the United states Sumtary tumnuston, and del good work, turnishing aid and comforting the sick and wounded soldiers. The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of Middletown forwarded many useful articles to the First
Governor Burton called the members of the General Assembly to convene in special session on Monday, the 25th of November, 1861, for the purpose of taking proper action in reference to the collection and pay- ment of Delaware's portion of the assessment levied by Congress upon the several States of the Union for war purposes. The Governor in his message to this body said :
" Our citizens have auted in a manner highly creditable to them, and well deserve the quiet they have enjoyed. Those, if there be any, and doubtless there are some everywhere, whose sympathies incline to the Sonth, are quiescent, laving no impediments in the way of the Govern- ment, nor adopting its enemies any sort of and. Some of the jumumer- oble rumors afloat throughout the country may, perhaps, represent a dif- ferent state of things ; but were the test of truth properly applied to these reports, most of them would be toun I wholly unreliable."
Besides appropriating $74.681, the direct tax appor- tionment assessed upon the State by the general govern- ment, a movement was made at this session to pass a bill, providing for the ultimate abolition of slavery within the State. The scheme was based upon the payment by the United States of a certain sum to es- tablish a fond towards securing full and fair com- pensation to the owners. It was not, however, suc- cessful.3
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