Fort Delaware - W.K. Handy

Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy - Political Prisoner

The Reverend Isaac W. K. Handy was a Presbyterian minister and native of Virginia. He married the daughter of John Dilworth, a Delawarean from Sussex County. Handy spent a short time as minister to the Port Penn, Delaware Presbyterian Church. On a return trip to Delaware, Handy engaged in a fateful conversation over dinner with Reverend Gaylord, the new Port Penn minister, and some friends. He was explaining to his friends the reason for growing his hair to more than shoulder length: he had been detained by federal troops in Portsmoth, Virginia who suspected that he was a spy or possibly a confederate soldier. He was quickly freed but grew his hair longer to avoid being confused for a soldier. Handy went on to relate his discussion with Marine Colonel Delany at the Gosport Navy Yard. Upon seeing the U.S. flag, Handy refered to it as "the so called emblem of liberty and rights." The Colonel responded "the old flag I can never give it up." Handy continued:

Rev. Handy as portrayed in "Waterbound"

"I venerated that flag too sir, when it represented the constitution and proclaimed equal rights- protection alike for the North and the South. But that sir is no longer the flag of the Union! It is not the old flag! The symbols are the same but the principles are changed! What is a flag irrespective of principle? It is simply a painted rag. That flag once represented high and noble principles. But what mean those stars and stripes to-day? Not certainly what they once meant. Now when I look upon an American Flag, I think I see written upon its folds: Abolition, Coersion, Downtrodden Constitution, Oppression, Tyranny! Those are not my principles and I must say to you, Colonel that I have no respect for any flag representing such enormities." Reverend Gaylord was clearly shocked, exclaiming "O Brother Handy I cannot allow you to speak so of my flag." ¹ After some heated discussion Handy and others changed the subject. Upon visiting Gaylord the next day Handy found him cool but still wishing him to preach to his former parish the next day. He did so and then went to Forrest Hall in Sussex county, the home of his father in law. On Monday, June 20th, 1863, Handy was visited by a Union officer who transported he and his wife to Delaware City. The next day the Reverend stood before the desk of Brigadier General Albin Schoepf, commanding officer of Fort Delaware, who informed him that if he stood by his statement he would remain at the Fort. Handy refused to relinquish his words and thus began 14 months of political imprisonment. He subsequently discovered that Rev. Gaylord had repeated their discussion, and Handy's comments, to the authorities. The story was picked up and embelished by some of the upstate newspapers, compelling the Federal administration to act.

While a political prisoner at Fort Delaware, Handy was given parole to walk about freely on the island. General Schoepf encouraged him to minister to sick men in the hospital. His pastoral duties while captive consisted of regular preaching and assisting in the creation and administration of the Christian Society, an organization that assisted less fortunate prisoners by collecting money to purchase food, clothing, or other necessities. While detained at the fort, Handy kept a diary of his daily experiences. Often glib and constantly sarcastic, the journal entries offer the reader a unique perspective of both the Fort Delaware prison community and the complicated politics of Civil War America. The diaries were organized into a book after the war, entitled "United States Bonds or Duress by Federal Authority".

Excerpts from Handy's writings while imprisoned at Fort Delaware¹

June 21, 1863
Gen. Schoepf is a tall man, and rather good looking. On this occasion he had but few words, which were uttered in broken English, but in a manner not at all disagreeable. After examining the papers, he asked me how long I had been residing in Portsmouth, and in a few moments called a sergeant. I was immediately informed, that this man would show me my quarters. Asking if there would not be an investigation of the charges, the General replied, No!-stating that they had been sworn to, and that he had orders for my imprisonment.

After pressing a few explanatory words, in relation to the circumstances of the conversation, which I supposed might have been the cause of my arrest, I soon found it would be perfectly useless to expect a hearing at present, and that a close, and perhaps long imprisonment was before me.

I was resigning myself to my fate, with the simple remark, that I thought it very hard that I should be shut up in such a summary manner, and without even a word of explanation, when the General inquired:

"Can you say, Sir, upon oath, that you have never uttered language disloyal to the Government?"
I replied, at once, that I could not do so; to which he rejoined:

"Then, that settles the question;" and after some words about the leniency of the United States in comparison with the governments of Europe, he spoke to the sergeant in regard to my place of confinement.

August 28, 1863
Received a box from Miss Julia Jefferson containing many little comforts for myself and a small lot of clothing for distribution. It was amusing to see the men trying on the coats, vests and c. and on going into the passage to hear certain mischievous ones crying "fresh fish!" as if the newly clad were strangers who had just been introduced.

September 8 , 1863
We save the company a considerable percentage which has heretofore been paid to a Yankee convict who has frequently not scrupled to take advantage of his employers. This sutler shop by the way is a convenience as well as a great nuisance. The establishment furnishes many articles of necessity and comfort which we cannot obtain elsewhere on the island, but the charges are exorbitant and there is no spirit of accommodation whatever. I have pitied the poor prisoners who are gruffly spoken to, allowed no choice in the purchase of articles, and ordered off as soon as the supply is obtained. Competition would set matters to rights, but a monopoly seems to be encouraged and a fortune is being made by one-or more.

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