State Historical Society of Iowa

"A Bold Stroke for Freedom" Illustration, 1872

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Still, William, "A Bold Stroke for Freedom," 1872

Description

The 1872 illustration shows African Americans with a wagon pointing guns at slave-catchers. The cartoon is thought to depict Christmas Eve of 1855, when patrollers caught up with a group of teenage enslaved people who had escaped by wagon from Loudon County, Virginia. The slave-catchers were driven off when Ann Wood, leader of the group, brandished weapons and dared the pursuers to fire. The fugitives continued on to Philadelphia.

Transcript of "The Steamer 'Planter' and Her Captor"

Source Dependent Questions

  • Describe what is happening in the image. Who appears to be the aggressor?
  • What does the title of the image, "A Bold Stroke for Freedom" imply about the freedom seekers?
  • How is the story depicted in this image both similar to and different from other escape stories of the Underground Railroad in this document set?
  • This image was published in 1872, almost 10 years after the end of the Civil War. How does that impact the weight you give this as an accurate source of information?

Citation Information

Still, William, "A Bold Stroke for Freedom," 1872. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress

"A Bold Stroke for Freedom" Illustration, 1872

 Download Image Resource

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Still, William, "A Bold Stroke for Freedom," 1872

Description

The 1872 illustration shows African Americans, likely fugitive slaves, with a wagon pointing guns at slave-catchers. The cartoon is thought to depict Christmas Eve of 1855, when patrollers caught up with a group of teenage enslaved people who had escaped by wagon from Loudon County, Virginia. But the posse was driven off when Ann Wood, leader of the group, brandished weapons and dared the pursuers to fire. The fugitives continued on to Philadelphia.

Source Dependent Questions

  • Describe what is happening in the image. Who appears to be the aggressors?
  • How did these fugitive slaves apparently travel on the Underground Railroad to freedom?
  • How does this image show that the escape stories were both similar to and different from other escape stories of the Underground Railroad?

Citation Information

Still, William, "A Bold Stroke for Freedom," 1872. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress