Contrabands

1861-1865

Image of slaves (contrabands) talking to General Benjamin Butler with the description "Volun'eer (sic) Sappers and Miners from the F.F.V or Merchandise Contraband of War." Caption: "Massa Butler, we's jest seceded from Harpers Ferry, whar we larn'd de trade ob making Trenches and Forti'cations. And now if yer wants anything done in dat ar line ob bisness, we's de Niggers to call upon. We borrow'd des yer tools at de Ferry, and if dey is'ent Contraban we's gwine to carry em back at de close ab horsetilities." Creator unknown.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

United States

The image refers to General Butler's contraband policy which stated that escaping slaves who reached Union lines would not be returned to slavery. General Butler argued that escaped slaves were "contraband of war" and thus he was not required to return them to their former owners. The United States Congress upheld the contraband policy with the Confiscation Act of 1861.

eng

3"x5.5"

still image

Printed envelope, 3 x 5.5 inches, Alfred S. Lippman Collection of Civil War postal covers, Manuscripts Collection 993, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana

Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. Louisiana Research Collection.

Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

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