Winter Lecture Series: Commerce Raiders

Saturday January 25 – Dropping Dimes-Holding Britain Accountable for Enabling Confederate Commerce Raiders during the American Civil War
John Fitzpatrick, Licensed Battlefield Guide, Gettysburg National Military Park

Ostensibly a “neutral” country during the American Civil War, Great Britain enabled the Confederate Navy to build eight state-of-the-art ocean-going commerce raiders. Those vessels preyed upon U.S. and Neutral-flagged vessels in international waters throughout the entire American Civil War. How did determined United States diplomats through three presidential administrations ultimately demand either war or actual damages—compensable accountability and liability—from Great Britain? Find out during this gripping narrative on the high seas.