The major purpose of this study is to present a narrative account of the activities of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, in Indiana during the American Civil War. It is also an attempt to undo a myth that has persisted among many historians for over one hundred years. The Friends' adherence to the belief that all wars were unlawful in the eyes of God has caused many historians to take Quaker nonparticipation in the War Between the States for granted. Much historical writing has focused upon Friends' pacifism refusal to perform military service and the suffering they received as a result. Also mentioned in the historical literature concerning the Society is the benevolent work of Friends for the Blacks, both during and after the war, and in caring for sick and wounded soldiers. Virtually no major work, however, chronicles the nonpacifistic labors of this religious sect.Quaker activities including performance of military service, civilian support of the war, as well as opposition to the Civil War are recounted in this dissertation. Inextricably intertwined with the preceding topics are discussions of Quaker motivation for joining military companies, reactionto military life, and treatment of military Friends by the monthly, or local, meetings.Utilizing church records, Friends' manuscript collections, and cemetery records, the major finding of this work is that far more Quakers from Indiana took up arms in the Civil War than was generally known. Quakers also supported the war effort by donating money, food, clothing, and other accouterments of military life to the soldiers and in a variety of activities not approved by the monthly meetings. So widespread were these war-related gestures that, at least in Indiana, few Friends suffered recriminations because of their pacifism. In general, then, Friends who remained faithful to the peace testimony were able to preserve their conscientious beliefs without fear of reproach.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/179027 |
| Date | January 1984 |
| Creators | Nelson, Jacquelyn S. |
| Contributors | Eidson, William G. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iv, 332 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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