News from Another Border State
Governor Burton: OK to volunteer for the Union
From The New-York Times May 3, 1861:
DELAWARE ALL RIGHT.
The following circular explains itself:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
DOVER, Del., May 1, 1861.
The undersigned, the constitutional commander of the forces of the State of Delaware, directs that those volunteer companies of the State that desire to be mustered into the service of the United States, under the call of the President, will rendezvous to the City of Wilmington with the least possible delay, where they will be mustered into the service of the United States by Major RUFF, who has been detailed by the War Department for that purpose, and who has replied himself to me, and received my instructions. The regiment will consist of ten companies, to serve for the period of three months.
WM. BURTON, Governor,
and Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the State.
Like many Delaware citizens Governor William Burton was a southern sympathizer who opposed abolition. He also opposed secession. It is said that Delaware ended up supplying more Union troops per population than any other state. Delaware’s du Pont company would supply over half the gunpowder used by Union armies.
