Harbor Islands- Long Island in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Political Prisoners

Fort Warren-Georges Island

— Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area —

Political Prisoners Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

1. Political Prisoners Marker

Inscription. Among the notable political prisoners confined in these rooms were James Murray Mason and John Slidell, two Confederate envoys to Great Britain. Their arrest on board the British steamer Trent provoked an international incident and nearly brought Great Britain into the Civil War. The envoys were released after two months imprisonment on order from President Lincoln in January, 1862. Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederacy, was imprisoned for six months after the end of the War. He was at first held in solitary confinement, but later enjoyed more comfortable quarters, special meals and access to the fort library.

(Inscription below the photo) The arrest of Mason and Slidell at sea.

Erected by Boston Harbor Islands State Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1862.

Location. 42° 19.224′ N, 70° 55.614′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is on Harbor Islands- Long Island. Marker can be reached from Georges Island. Marker is only accessible by boat. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hull MA 02045, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bakery (a few steps from this marker); Bastion C (a few steps from this marker); Enlisted Men (within shouting distance of this marker); Parade Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mess (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Dark Arch" (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery Bartlett (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

2. Political Prisoners Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

3. Political Prisoners Marker

Welcome to Fort Warren-It was built more than 150 years ago-a fort on an island, a key to the coastal defense of a new nation. It was transformed into a prison during the Civil War, housing hundreds of Confederates within its granite walls, ordinary soldiers and high level politicians alike. It served our nation for more than 85 year as a vigilant sentinel in the harbor. It made over into a park is an extraordinary island setting. Welcome to Fort Warren, on Georges Island. Welcome to the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 27, 2010

4. Political Prisoners Marker

National Park Passport Cancellation Stamp

Rebel Commissioners Brought on Board the United States Sloop of War “San Jacinto” as Prisoners. image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. Rebel Commissioners Brought on Board the United States Sloop of War “San Jacinto” as Prisoners.

from Harpers Weekly, Nov. 30 1861.

Mason and Slidell image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

6. Mason and Slidell

by F. O. C. Darley in History of the United States by Benson Lossing, 1913.

Alexander H.Stevens image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

7. Alexander H.Stevens

This painting of Alexander H. Stevens appeared on the cover of Harper's Weekly, March 10, 1883.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on September 9, 2017, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on September 20, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.