Book review: Kidnapped at Sea

Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White

                                   By Andrew Sillen                                    

Copyright 2024

Johns Hopkins University Press

Reading this newly published book reminded me of how much important and interesting Civil War scholarship is taking place. I knew the basics of the story of the CSS Alabama and the name Raphael Semmes was a familiar one, but I knew nothing of the story of David Henry White, a young and free African American man who wound up on the Alabama through no fault of his own.

His tale deserves the attention that Andrew Sillen gives it in this work. 

Despite that introduction, this is not a true biography of White. There simply are not enough existing details of the everyday life of this man, who left no known written correspondence behind and whose presence in government records was minimal.

Nevertheless, Sillen uses the records that do exist, along with his exploration of the time and places in which White lived and worked, and the people and experiences involved in his life to describe the short life and sailing career the subject led. This required significant research, which the author clearly did, through the use of period records as well as other studies of Delaware (including its history, agriculture, relationship with slavery and proximity to Maryland), slavery, nineteenth century society, and the backgrounds and beliefs of the officers of the Alabama. He also studied other modern works on the Alabama’s story for other views on the matter and weaves these sources into a narrative that unwraps the world into which White was born and grew into a teenager, even when he finds misinterpretations in parts of these other accounts. It really is an effective approach to explore such an elusive subject who (may never have learned how to write or to otherwise tell his version of his life). In this work, Sillen finds a way to tell that story.

David Henry White was as far from a famous or influential figure in American history as possible, but his life and story were - and remain - important to study and to remember. His kidnapping (not impressment, as the author shows) was mentioned in the American media when it first happened, but his condition seemed of little concern to American consuls around the world, in countries where the Alabama stopped. When Britain made reparations to the U.S. for damages the British-made ship had cause, White’s family did not receive compensation. His story faded even more in the following years and decades and his name is unfamiliar even to many Civil War enthusiasts today. This book helps address that. 

Sillen’s emphasis on White’s prewar status as a free man, not a slave as other accounts have stated, is especially notable. His description of how a career in sailing provided opportunity for people like White, (though as free blacks became more populous, Delaware changed its laws to refuse such opportunity) stands out in the description if White’s blossoming life in his teenage years. Delaware was not a Derp South cotton state, but nor was it overly friendly to African Americans. 

The author perused the writings of Semmes and his officers to explore their attitudes towards naval service, the war, and slavery. Semmes and some of his officers came from slave-owning families, which naturally influenced their views. The culture of the navy, with its focus on glory since promotion was slow and difficult to achieve, certainly influenced Semmes. Also, the complete separation of the ship's officers and crew while not on daily duty symbolizes the important of class and hierarchy in American society. As a free black young man, David Henry White was another reminder of how customary such segregation was.

Sillen also notes how post-Civil War “Lost Cause” ideology affected Semmes’ thinking and writing, an astute observation. Semmes' training as a lawyer also influenced his written accounts of his service. 

One topic this book frequently discusses is the misbehavior of the Alabama’s crew and scenes that White may have witnessed. I especially noted the description of the ship’s roster as “entitled Confederate officers and undisciplined mercenaries” on page 101. The rest of the work supports that view of most of these men. 

I like how the book is organized. The chapters are short, which make them quick to read, but consist of appropriate topics and are in fine order, adding to the quality of the book. This work is not in pure chronological order. Sometimes that is a bit distracting, as there are a few mentions in parenthesis like “as discussed in chapter 8” or “see chapter 22” that appear in the text, but that’s a minor nit to pick. Adding such notes does give the reader opportunity to re-read a section or to know that more details will follow, a benefit that outweighs the occasional distraction, especially as the reader gets accustomed to it.

The additional details in the notes at the end of the story are another valuable addition that not all books provide, and the illustrations throughout the book also add a layer of understanding, especially the photographs taken on the Alabama.

Captain John Winslow, the leader of the Kearsarge in the final battle the Alabama fought, played a key role in this saga, or at least its end, so the mentions of his background and his Mexican-American War acquaintance with Semmes are helpful.

One noteworthy piece of Sillen’s work is the ending of chapter 22. After the Alabama had lost its final battle and sank to the bottom of the ocean, a list of the ship’s men who had perished in the contest was published in a British newspaper. It neglected to mention David Henry White. Sillen calls White “ever a ghost” and observes that the kidnapping victim “remained at the end, invisible." (p. 225)

Chapter 23, entitled Accounts, includes a discussion of how Semmes turned White into what Silken calls a “caricature.” (p. 232) He shows how the Confederate Captain used period stereotypes of “faithful” or “happy” servants. and uses the phrase “self-serving paternalism” to describe this attitude, while also giving examples of modern Confederate supporters adopting similar romanticized and false views of White.

Maybe the most fascinating chapter of the book is chapter 24, An Ocean of Lies, with its examination of false information Semmes and his comrades had written about White, his status, and his time on their ship. The author points out these lies and provides evidence that prove their inaccuracy. It is a very convincing chapter. 

David Henry White never enlisted in the military or agreed to risk his life for his country, but did end up giving his life in the conflict that kept the nation united and aided in freeing people of his race. Thankfully, Andrew Sillen shares his story, keeping White from becoming permanently invisible and just another anonymous member of the approximate 700,000 deaths of the Civil War. He was a human, and he was a young man. He was real and so is his story.

Overall, this a well-researched and written book. Andrew Sillen has produced an enjoyable and informative study of a lesser known yet important tale of a free black man kidnapped by Confederates during the Civil War. It is definitely a book that I happily recommend that others read. 

(I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, but all comments in this review are my true and honest opinions.)