Fort Delaware is situated on Pea Patch Island, in the Delaware River, Delaware, a Union fortress dating back to 1859. Originally built to protect the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington from invasion, the Fort housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. After the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, there were almost 13,000 prisoners held in the Fort's barracks. Overall, 33,000 troops, officers and political prisoners were held at the Fort during the Civil War period. An imposing structure, the fort boasts 32-foot high walls of granite, up to 30 feet thick, gun emplacements and a moat.

I would like to invite both CSA and Federal Units to participate in our POW weekend this coming August to experience conditions similar to that of those who were imprisoned here and those who were tasked to guard them (within limits). This past month's POW weekend was a great success, many first time visiting units boasted of the Fort's events and experience. CSA prisoner units were received and processed in, placed in an exact replica of prisoner barracks outside the Fort in the location of the actual barracks, performed work details, subjected to unannounced inspections, and other events by US troops who performed sentry and work detail guard duties, and other tasks expected of soldiers of the period.

After visitor hours we offer for those who wish, paranormal tours, history tours, we still fire the heavy artillery every day and do a special firing in the evening hours for participants. The Fort has a large mess hall with a period kitchen and stove and all the cooking utensils to go with it to feed your troops.

I am recently retired and a long time reenactor with the 2nd Delaware Volunteers who was hired by the State of Delaware to pump up the volume at the Fort and bring in reenactment units to improve attendance and authenticity of these POW events. If you are looking for something different send me an email at:billpurdy52@comcast.net. I have also noted the park's website for further investigation: www.destateparks.com/park/fort-delaware/

http://youtu.be/WEhvg30SxAw

I think your unit members will enjoy this type of an event and if I can't accommodate your unit this year we will certainly be able to accommodate you for next year's events.

Your Obedient Servant

William Purdy
Lead Historical Interpreter
(Captain George W Ahl, Battery G, Pittsburgh Heavy Artillery & Ahl's Independent Battery, Fort Delaware)