From a cotton plantation just South of Natchitoches, Louisiana all the way north to Canada, this series of photographs helps us imagine what the long road from slavery to freedom may have looked like as seen through the eyes of one of those who made this epic journey, circa 1840.
They left during the middle of the night — often carrying little more than the knowledge that moss grows on the north side of trees. An estimated 100,000 American slaves between 1800 and the end of e Civil War in 1865 chose to embark on this journey of untold hardships in search of freedom. They moved in constant fear of being killed outright or recaptured then returned and beaten as an example of what would happen to others who might choose to run. Under the cover of darkness, ‘fugitives’ traveled roughly 20 miles each night traversing rugged terrain while enduring all the hardships that Mother Nature could bring to bear. Occasionally, they were guided from one secret, safe location to the next by an ever-changing, clandestine group known as the Underground Railroad. Whether they were slaves trying to escape or free blacks and whites trying to help, both sides risked everything for the cause of freedom.
