George Purnell Fisher, Civil War (Woods, 1905)

In March, 1855, Mr. Fisher was appointed Attorney-General of the State of Delaware for the term of five years. In 1860 he was elected to Congress where he served from March, 1861, to March, 1863, the stormy period of the first two years of the civil war. He was active in securing to the Federal cause Delaware's contingent of troops, and gave largely of his time and means to enlist and equip the Delaware regiments. President Lincoln conceived a warm feeling and had a high regard for Mr. Fisher. On the abolition of the old courts and the creation of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, he appointed Fisher one of the justices of that court upon the expiration of his congressional term. As a judge, Mr. Fisher displayed great aptitude and ability, and was most favorably considered by his associates and by the public. He presided at the trial of John H. Surratt for participation in the assassination of President Lincoln.