Henry du Pont and the Civil War

By Andrew Engel

Henry du Pont, ca.1860

Those familiar with Civil War history are well aware of the DuPont Company’s crucial role in many Union successes throughout the conflict, primarily through its manufacture of gunpowder.  However, the lesser-told narratives come from within the rank and file of the company and family. Among these stories is that of DuPont Company President Henry du Pont (1812-1889), son of company founder E.I. du Pont, and his roles as Major-General and commander of the Delaware Home Guard.

Image: Henry du Pont (1812-1889), ca.1860, Hagley Portrait File, View item in the Hagley Digital Archives




Henry du Pont’s devotion to national service began with his enrollment in the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1829. Following graduation in 1833, du Pont was commissioned as a second-lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Fourth Artillery Regiment. He served for a year before returning to the banks of the Brandywine to join the family powder business as a managing partner. After becoming President of the DuPont Company in 1850, Henry du Pont pushed to expand the firm outside of Delaware in response to demand for blasting powder used in mining and construction.  This increased production capacity helped the company meet both government and domestic orders for gunpowder during the Civil War.

Henry du Pont's Commission, 1861 (Winterthur Manuscripts, Group 7)

Henry du Pont's role in Delaware and national politics was very important to his work with the company.  In May of 1861, he was commissioned Major-General of the State of Delaware and commander of the Delaware Home Guards.  As leader of Delaware’s military forces, he helped organize those who volunteered for military service into units that would later serve in the U.S. Army.  Du Pont also used his position to try and sway Delaware politics towards Republican policies and thwart his Democratic Party foes.  Correspondence with Delaware Governor William Burton, including the document presented to du Pont upon his commissioning (pictured above), is housed at the Hagley Museum and Library. Henry du Pont's commission, signed by Delaware Governor William H. Burton, and Delaware Secretary of State, Edward Ridgley helped place him at the forefront of Delaware politics through the conclusion of the Civil War.


For additional information about Henry du Pont and the Manuscripts and Archives Collection, please contact Lynn Catanese at 302 658-2400 x317 or lcatanese@hagley.org.

For more information about the Hagley Library, please visit www.hagley.org/library.