Blockade runner's diary, 1861-1862, 1956-1958

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Summary

Creator:
Dickson, James, 1836-1874
Date:
1861-1862, 1956-1958
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet (8 folders)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Blockade runner's diary, ms791, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the diary of a blockade runner during the Civil War from December 1861 through February 1862. The diary describes the voyage from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia and the return voyage on the brigantine the Standard of Windsor, loaded with dry goods, food, and medicine for the Confederate government. The author describes in detail the weather, sea conditions, eating habits, and life aboard ship; fears of capture by Union forces; maneuvers used to run the blockade; and off loading the cargo. Also contained in the collection are research notes, speeches, and correspondence of William Porter Kellam pertaining to his research of the diary. Kellam attributes the diary to James Dickson in Savannah, Georgia.

Biographical / historical:

During the American Civil War, the Union enacted a military tactic known as the Anaconda Plan, which cut off the Confederacy's considerable trade overseas. Located along twelve major ports and covering over 3,500 miles of coastline, this blockade crippled the Confederate economy and thus helped the Union to victory. Blockade running was a major enterprise for Confederates until the end of the war, by which time over 1,000 blockade runners and hundreds of ships had been captured by the Union Navy.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Blockade runner's diary, ms791, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.