Description

Benjamin Butler decreed in 1861 that male slaves who fled to Union lines were to be considered ""contraband of war"" and wouldn't be returned to bondage. The image is of an officer (Benjamin Butler) protecting a runaway slave with a sword outstretched in his right hand. The slave kneels at his feet and is holding onto his leg. A slave owner is depicted as a scarecrow and is holding a dog by it's collar in his left hand and a cat o' nine tails in his right hand. The top of a fort labeled ""Monroe"" with an American flag flying above it can be seen in the background. Image captioned: One of the F.F.V's after his Contraband. General Butler ""can't see it."" F.F.V. refers to a first family of Virginia. ""D. Murphy's Son, Print, 65 Fulton & 372 Pearl Ste. N.Y"" is printed along the left edge of the envelope.

Record Contributed By

Union College

Record Harvested From

Empire State Digital Network