The Underground Railroad

Slave Catchers

When slaves escaped, most masters would try to find them. Masters would put out bounties to reward others for the return of the slaves. This encouraged people to become slave catchers. Most slave catchers were poor, white people. When slaves were returned, they were usually flogged or whipped. John Capehart was a policeman from Virginia who was hired to flog slaves. He reckoned he’d flogged as many slaves as they had in the state of Massachusetts.

Slave catchers would hunt everywhere for an escaped slave. They could stop any person of color for questioning. They’d use bloodhounds to trace the slave’s scent. When a bloodhound found the slave, it would bite the slave, and tear their clothes and skin.

Sometimes, slave owners would advertise for their missing slaves. They’d put up posters advertising the reward amount, and a description of the slave or slaves who were missing. They used derogatory phrasing and words to describe the slaves, as if they were animals.

Anthony Burns was a young slave who lived in Richmond, Virginia. His master allowed him to earn a little money by working for others, in exchange for a cut of the pay. Burns learned how to read and write, and he saved up his money. One day, he used his money to purchase a ticket for a ship to Boston. Once arrived, he thought he was a free man. What he didn’t know was that in 1850, a law was passed called the Fugitive Slave Act. This act required all United States citizens to return escaped slaves to their owners—even if they’d been living in a free state for years.

Slave catchers started to hunt down Burns. His master eventually found him in Boston and he was thrown in jail. The people of Boston didn’t like this, and an angry mob stormed the courthouse where Burns was being held. People even offered to buy his freedom, but nothing helped. On June 2, 1854, Burns was convicted of being a fugitive slave and ordered to return to Virginia.

On the day of Burns departure from Massachusetts, a crowd formed outside the courthouse. The U.S. military and local police were called in to clear the streets. Eventually, more than 50,000 people came out to protest. More reinforcements were called, and even a cannon was rolled in. Soldiers swung swords at the crowd, allowing officials to lead Burns out of the courthouse onto a waiting boat. Burns was returned to slavery.

In 1860, Lucy Bagby used the Underground Railroad to escape from West Virginia. She found work as a maid in Ohio, but her former owner found her and had her arrested. Despite a lawyer trying to help her, the court ordered her to return to West Virginia. She was once again a slave.

The Fugitive Slave Act also resulted in many free black men and women being caught and sold into slavery*. For example, Solomon Northup was born in New York in 1808 as a free man. He was married and had three children. One day, some men offered to pay him to play the violin for them. But it was a trick, and they kidnapped him and sold him into slavery in Louisiana. He repeatedly tried to tell them he was a free man, but nobody paid attention. One day, a carpenter, Samuel Bass, came to the plantation and believed him. Bass delivered letters on Northup’s behalf to his friends and family back in New York, and they found a lawyer to help Solomon. On January 4, 1853, after twelve years as a slave, Solomon was finally set free.

Northern cities with large communities of free black people and former slaves were destinations for runaway slaves. White abolitionists formed vigilance committees to keep slave catchers out of their neighborhoods. Although former slaves living in the cities could take comfort in this protection, it was still a very dangerous time.

A Close Call

While on their journey to freedom, Addy and Momma come across a light ahead. Addy is sure it’s the next safe house, so she runs ahead. But it’s not the safe house. It’s a small campfire, with several men gathered around it. But it’s too late—a white man has seen her.

The man has on a gray jacket and hat. He’s a Confederate soldier. He is in the army, fighting for the South and slavery. Addy knows he has the power to send her back to Master Stevens. Luckily, Addy is dressed as a boy, and the man believes the disguise. He orders Addy to fetch him some water.

Addy’s eyes dart around the campsite until she spies a water bucket. She brings it to him. When he lays down to go to sleep, Addy lays down, too. When she’s sure he’s asleep, she creeps away to find Momma. Momma wasn’t able to come into the campsite to look for Addy because it would’ve compromised her own safety.

Later, when they are far from the soldier’s camp, Momma tells Addy that she’s proud of her, and that Poppa would be proud of her, too.