Fort Delaware Prison Diary of Isaac W. K. Handy:: Imprisoned for Conscience Sake." Annotated

This book is a description of Rev. Isaac William Ker Handy's incarceration at Fort Delaware, a Federal prison during the War Between the States. Here, captured preachers, soldiers, blockade runners, and even Northerners deemed disloyal to the United States were confined. This diary offers a realistic portrayal and great acumen into life at Ft. Delaware prison. When he was ministering in Portsmouth, Virginia, he was granted a pass to visit his kin-folk in Delaware. While there, he was dishonestly arrested and taken away to Ft. Delaware prison simply because he was a Southerner. This "prison diary" is plain-spoken in telling of the vermin, scant rations, bed-bugs, stench, and vice amongst his surroundings. Yet he was able to establish worship services and through his witness, many came to know the Lord. Rev. Isaac William Ker Handy exchanged on October 13th, 1864. Upon going back to the South he stated, "Confederate gray never seemed more illustrious or impressive; and though, in comparison, the poor 'boys' were shabby enough, it was well understood that they were returning from bonds and sufferings, with hearts still beating warm for liberty and State Rights; and as they marched aboard the war-torn vessel, the band discoursing a well-known air, every heart echoed the exhilarating response: 'In Dixie's land I'll take my stand, And live and die in Dixie.'"