An evocative artifact from the Civil War bearing two physical connections to Fort Delaware Prison. 

The item itself is an 1863 Pearl Edition [i.e. pocket] issued by the American Bible Society. These were designed specifically to fit into a soldier's pocket and were distributed gratis to mustered Union soldiers and also to Confederate soldiers imprisoned in the North.

On the pastedown is a fait pencil inscription, "Rev. Dr. Handy text on Sunday May 22nd was Revelation 21st chapter part 7th verse [He that overcometh shall inherat [sic.]all things).

The referenced Reverend Dr. Handy was the Rev Dr. Isaac William Ker Handy [1815-1878], a Virginia who had been imprisoned under charges of serving as a Chaplain to the Confederate Army. During his 15 month imprisonment, he held regular services for the prisoners and it is reputed saw something of a revival among them. 

See: 

Fifteen_Months_in_Fort_Delaware-The_Prison_Diary_of_Isaac_Handy_by_Karen_Stokes.pdf (reaganscvcamp.org)

Collecting Delaware Books - The Civil War at Ft. Delaware (jnjreid.com)

It is then inscribed on the flyleaf, "Lt A. G. Handley, Prisoner of War. Fort Delaware, April 10th, 1864"

Fort Delaware was reputed to have been an "hellhole" of a prison where Confederate soldiers died from disease more quickly than the cells could be filled.

See:

University of Delaware Research (udel.edu)

The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: Translated Out of the Original Greek; And with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. New York. American Bible Society. 1863. Pearl 32mo. 

Blindstamped original cloth, as issued, worn at extremities, through at 2/3 of front hinge, but solidly bound. A clearly well-used volume, though gratefully still in very stable, clean condition.