Fourteen Months in American Bastiles

by Francis Key Howard

"The unlawful and oppressive acts of Mr. Lincoln, his advisers, and subordinates, during the war between this Government and that of the Confederate States, will here-after constitute no insignificant portion of the history of these times. As one of the victims of the despotism, which he succeeded in maintaining, in the Northern and Border States, for so long a period, I desire to add my testimony to that which has been heretofore furnished, in relation to the outrages perpetrated under his Administration ; and I give publicity to this statement now, while the facts are fresh in the recollection of the public, lest any one should at some remoter period venture to doubt its accuracy."

90 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1863

Reviews

[Jay Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a first hand account of the unjust arrest of a Baltimore newspaper editor F.K. Howard by the order of Abraham Lincoln in September 1861. F.K. Howard was one of approximately 15,000 individuals arrested without charge by Lincoln during the Civil War. Interestingly F.K. Howard was the grandson of Francis Scott Key, who penned the lyrics to 'The Star Spangled Banner' while living in Baltimore during the War of 1812. Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the Civil War and in addition to arresting 15,000 people without charge, closed down approximately 300 newspapers whose editors' views did not agree with his own. Howard chronicles his imprisonment at Fort McHenry, Fort Monroe, Fort Layette and Fort Warren (thus the subtitle - American Bastiles). He was finally released after 14 months captivity, enduring miserable conditions and near starvation. The so called 'Lincoln scholars' are careful to protect Lincoln's near deified image, but when you start reading about what Lincoln really did during the Civil War you begin to understand that he was the most dictatorial of Presidents. His apologists forgive him of his tyranny because of the extreme circumstances of the times, but read this and come to your own conclusions.

[Tim Williams]

Very helpful for my understanding of the unique experiences of the first prisoners of state, following the suspension of habeas corpus in Maryland, compared with latter military prisoners of war.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In times of war, governments sometime consider it not only necessary but vital to the effort and suspend habeas corpus in the better interest of the majority. This sounds, not only acceptable but logical, at least until you study it on a more personal level. Abraham Lincoln is known and admired for freeing the slaves and preserving the Union. These facts are the results of his actions but what exactly were those actions? Were they both legal and justified? If not, does the end justify the means?
Francis Key Howard was the grandson of Francis Scott Key, the author of The Star Spangled Banner and was the editor of a Baltimore newspaper. Maryland was very much a border state (simply put a state where sympathies are nearly evenly matched). Francis Key Howard was rather outspoken in his criticisms of the pending war and current administration. For this, he and many other (otherwise loyal U.S. citizens) were arrested and detained without ever being charged with a crime. That their right of free speech was violated, there can be no doubt and that this violation took place by executive orders can also not be denied. In Lincoln’s opinion (and many other presidents) the rights of the few don’t match up to the interests of the majority. This is a very interesting book that I feel many people would enjoy. I highly recommend it to lovers of history and believers in freedom.