Declaration of the Privateer Campaign

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President Davis of the Confederacy precipitated naval action in the American Civil War through a declaration issued April 17, 1861 - shortly after Lincoln's call for troops to put down the Southern "insurrection."

The leaders of the Confederacy feared that the Union would attempt to blockade Southern ports and disrupt trade. Furthermore, they were acutely aware that while the Union had a navy, the Confederacy at the start of the war did not.

President Davis' solution was to call for privateers. A privateer was ordinarily a private vessel, built and outfitted by investors who intended to make a profit through the capture of enemy shipping and cargoes. The act of privateering was made legal by the issuance of a letter of marque, a form of license or commission from the Confederate government.

It was hoped that a successful privateer campaign would tie up the Union Navy and prevent enforcement of a blockade. Unfortunately for the Confederacy, the privateering declaration forced the Union's hand, and led to an immediate declaration of a blockade.

Sources

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