Dana Vacca's Blog: Freedom Calling A Civil War Slave Escapes By Sea - Posts Tagged "freedmen"
Freedom Calling - Celia goes to a Civil War Contraband Camp
Book: Freedom Calling - Book Highlights
Civil War Contraband Camps
Many slaves left plantations, some were freed others just fled. They headed north toward Union lines.
Bounty hunters sought out these African-Americans to bring them back to masters or to sell them to right back into slavery.
The Union decided to set up contraband camps not long after the war began. In these camps, African-Americans could be protected and live more safely, although often beyond the boundaries of the camps bounty hunters lurked ready to abduct stragglers!
One such camp was Springdale, formerly called Arlington. It was located on the confiscated estate of General Robert E. Lee. Huge numbers of African-Americans flocked to Springdale, and housing them all was difficult. Some groups were lived in the available buildings, but most had to make due with tents and lean-to's as the numbers of residents increased quickly. Springdale was just one of many such camps that were spread all across the border states, and all soon became overcrowded.
Many of the northern states set up Freedmen's societies. They shipped clothing, shoes, and food to the camp to help the newly freed slaves, as most of them arrived with only the clothing they wore on their backs. Volunteers also set up schools at the camps and held classes to teach children and adults how to read and write. They were very eager to learn! Celia volunteered as a teacher at Springdale.
GO to my FACEBOOK Book Page to see pics of a Virginia camp: https://www.facebook.com/CivilWarHist...
Freedom Calling: A Civil War Slave Escapes By Sea
Civil War Contraband Camps
Many slaves left plantations, some were freed others just fled. They headed north toward Union lines.
Bounty hunters sought out these African-Americans to bring them back to masters or to sell them to right back into slavery.
The Union decided to set up contraband camps not long after the war began. In these camps, African-Americans could be protected and live more safely, although often beyond the boundaries of the camps bounty hunters lurked ready to abduct stragglers!
One such camp was Springdale, formerly called Arlington. It was located on the confiscated estate of General Robert E. Lee. Huge numbers of African-Americans flocked to Springdale, and housing them all was difficult. Some groups were lived in the available buildings, but most had to make due with tents and lean-to's as the numbers of residents increased quickly. Springdale was just one of many such camps that were spread all across the border states, and all soon became overcrowded.
Many of the northern states set up Freedmen's societies. They shipped clothing, shoes, and food to the camp to help the newly freed slaves, as most of them arrived with only the clothing they wore on their backs. Volunteers also set up schools at the camps and held classes to teach children and adults how to read and write. They were very eager to learn! Celia volunteered as a teacher at Springdale.
GO to my FACEBOOK Book Page to see pics of a Virginia camp: https://www.facebook.com/CivilWarHist...
Freedom Calling: A Civil War Slave Escapes By Sea
Freedom Calling A Civil War Slave Escapes By Sea
FREEDOM CALLING is a page-turner packed with action, emotion, romance and adventure - vibrantly painted with powerful characters, vivid imagery and factual details of the Civil War era.
Runaway slaves ...more
Runaway slaves ...more
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