Human Contraband These refugees from slavery crossed the Rappahannock River in Virginia in August 1862 to seek sanctuary with a federal army. Most slaves fled with little more than the clothes on their backs, but not all escaped slavery empty-handed. The oxen, horse, wagon, and goods seen here could have been purchased during slavery, “borrowed” from the former master, or gathered during flight.

Library of Congress, LC-DIG-cwpb-00218.