Fort Delaware

Fort Delaware is a harbor defense facility built in 1859 on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. During the American Civil War, the Union used Fort Delaware as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. The fort and the island currently belong to the Delaware State Parks Commission.

History

In 1794, a French engineer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, was surveying for defensive sites. He identified an island that he called Pip Ash "as an ideal site for the defense of the prize of American commerce and culture" (http://www.visitthefort.com/historyx.html).

Related Topics:
1794 - French - Pierre Charles L'Enfant

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The island that L'Enfant called Pip Ash was locally known as Pea Patch island. This island was mostly unaffected by humanity with one exception. Dr. Henry Gale, a New Jersey resident, used Pea Patch as a private hunting ground. Gale was offered $30,000 for the island by the US military, but he refused. The military was determined to get the island, so they appealed to the Delaware state legislature, which seized the island from Dr. Gale on May 27, 1813.

Related Topics:
Dr. Henry Gale - New Jersey - US military - May 27 - 1813

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