Slaves Pour into "Freedom's Fortress"

Within days of Major General Butler's May 1861 decision that fugitive slaves crossing Union lines at Fortress Monroe would be considered "contraband of war," scores of runaways turned up on the citadel's grounds. 

stampede of slaves from Hampton to Fortress Monroe loc

Image: Library of Congress

 Under the Freedom Tree by Susan VanHecke • Illustrated by London Ladd © 2025