American Bastile

Published in 1869, American Bastile remains the most complete account of arbitrary arrests made by the Lincoln administration during the Civil War. One hundred cases of political prinsoners are described in detail. Anyone speaking against the government or against the war or resisting the draft was liable to military arrest with transport to state prisons far from home. People disappeared. They were held without trial and without being charged with any crime. These practices were unknown to Americans even under the English kings. It was not thought possible that authorities could issue such orders or that anyone would carry them out. American Bastile raises all the questions of state power and individual liberty. What are the foundations of popular government. What are the limits of executive authority in time of war. What are the privileges and immunities of the American citizen.