The Civil War at Sea
Dublin Core
Title
The Civil War at Sea
Subject
Naval Events of the War and the British Involvement
Description
Despite its neutral status being declared early in the conflict, this did not prevent Great Britain's involvement in several prominent maritime controversies that shook Anglo-American relations.
Creator
Johnathan Seitz
Language
English
Collection Items
'The Pending Conflict'
This image depicts several figures, two of which, engaged in a fierce struggle, represent the American conflict. Encoiled by a serpent holding him back is a representative of the Union cause, dragged down by those in the North that called for peace…
'Letter from Thomas Ewing to Abraham Lincoln, December 28, 1861'
This letter to President Lincoln, possibly from then former Ohio Senator Thomas Ewing, reflects some of the concerns within the Northern public as the Trent Affair dragged on. Written only a few weeks before the captured Confederate diplomats were…
'Letter from Thurlow Weed to Secretary of State William Seward, December 4, 1861'
Thurlow Weed, a Republican politician, was operating in London throughout the Civil War, acting as an unofficial agent for the Lincoln administration's efforts to placate British opinion on the war. This letter to Sec. Seward, dated December 4, 1861,…
'Letter from Prince de Joinville to Abraham Lincoln, December 1, 1861'
The impact of the Trent Affair shook public attitudes in Northern society, with some clamoring for war with Britain and others cautioning against the risks of such a confrontation. The Prince de Joinville, a son of French nobility residing in the…
'Dispatch from John Russell to Richard B. Pemell, Lord Lyons, Saturday, November 30, 1861'
Accompanying the formal British response to the Trent Affair, which was edited and toned down by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, Foreign Minister Earl Russell included additional instructions for Lord Lyons. Desiring an explanation from…
'Last of the Alabama'
Pursued by Union warships after its final cruises in the Far East, the Alabama is cornered in the French port of Cherbourg by the USS Kearsarge. Captain Raphael Semmes moves to damaged ship into a final engagement, where it soon sinks. The Deerhound,…
'Trent and the San Jacinto'
The Trent, a British packet ship transporting to England two Confederate diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell, had left Havana, Cuba on November 7th, 1861. Captain Charles Wilkes of the USS San Jacinto became aware of the diplomats' movements and…
'On England's Muggy Shore a Surly Lion gave a Grievous Roar!'
The news of the Trent's stopping and the arrest of its Southern diplomatic passengers, James Mason and John Slidell, by the Union provoked confusion and anger among the British. The popular views of the incident considered the actions of Union…
'Letter from Gustavus V. Fox to Abraham Lincoln, Tuesday, September 8, 1863'
Union concerns over the building of ironclads in Britain for use in the Confederate navy led to increased pressure upon the British government to intervene and halt their construction. In this letter, acting Secretary of the Navy Gustavus Fox doubts…
'Letter from John A. Andrew to Abraham Lincoln, Thursday, February 13, 1863'
Relating to the matter of British shipbuilding for the Confederate Navy, this letter from Governor Andrew to the president reflects American concerns of the persistence of this practice. Occuring even as news of the career of the raider Alabama's…