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Slaves Escaping at Fort Monroe
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Scene of 16 figures. A slave owner is raising his whip as black families are racing towards Fort Monroe, with some remaining behind picking cotton. The slave owner is saying: "Come back here, you black rascal." One slave is facing the slave owner thumbing his nose, saying: "Can't come back nohow, massa, Dis chile's contraban." This is a reference to General Benjamin Butler's contraband policy, by which escaping slaves reaching Union lines would not be returned to slavery. Butler, a trained attorney, used Virginia's secession to argue that under international law escaped slaves were "contraband of war" and he was not required to return them to their former owners. Black ink on cream envelope, elaborate illustration covers entire top of envelope. Mounted on a decorative border and collected in an album.
1860
United States. Post Office Department
Publication Information
Physical Description
Collection Information
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W0129PX
WHi 75847
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I'se Contraband
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Freed male slave in a straw hat. He is superimposed on a black star with the abbreviations of the states of the Confederacy. Behind the black star is an upside down star containing horizontal lines...
The Latest Contraband of War
1860
A freed slave with a hoe in his left hand and his right hand on his hip. Caption at the top reads, "Massa can't have dis chile, dat's what's de matter." Caption below reads, "The latest contraband ...
John Bull's Sympathy
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A slave is being whipped by a slave owner as he kneels and prays next to a bale of cotton labeled "COTTON" and "CSA." John Bull sits on the bale facing away from and ignoring the slave. The charact...
Come and Take a Horn, Jeff
1860
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How About Washington? Let Me Alone!
1860
A figure has two faces. Facing left a smiling (Union) face is saying "How about Washington?" Facing right a grumpy (Confederate) face is saying "Let me alone." Black ink on light gray envelope, ima...
Champion Prize Envelope - Lincoln & Davis in 5 Rounds, 1st Round
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Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis in a boxing ring. Text at top reads, "CHAMPION PRIZE ENVELOPE - LINCOLN & DAVIS IN 5 ROUNDS," underneath reads "1ST ROUND." Outside the ring on Lincoln's side ar...
