The Washington Navy Yard is a United States naval base located in Washington, D.C., serving as one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the country. During the U.S. Civil War, a notable event that took place within its premises involved Edman Spangler, a Confederate sympathizer who was arrested for his alleged role in a conspiracy to sabotage Union defenses in Washington, D.C.Edman Spangler was apprehended at the Washington Navy Yard, where he worked as a civilian engineer, and was subsequently charged with conspiring against the Union. He was seen as a potential threat due to his connections with Confederate agents and suspected activities that might compromise the safety of Union defenses in the capital city during the Civil War.After his arrest, Spangler was handcuffed, symbolized by the artwork's title "Manacled," indicating his restraint at the time of the incident. The exact details of his conspiracy and its impact on the war are subject to historical interpretation, as with many events from this period. The Washington Navy Yard continues to serve as an important military installation in U.S. history, playing a significant role during various periods, including the Civil War.
