1863 - Wilson Chinn, a freed slave from Louisiana, poses with equipment used to punish slaves.
Such images were used to set Northern resolve against slaveholders during the American Civil War.
Portrait of "Drummer" Jackson, a former slave serving as a drummer in the 79th United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War.
Used in combination with a photograph of Jackson as a slave in tattered clothing, this was circulated to encourage enlistments among African Americans.
Portrait of "Contraband" Jackson, supposed to look like many of the runaway slaves that flocked to the banners of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Used in combination with a photograph of Jackson as a drummer in military uniform, this was circulated to encourage enlistments among African Americans.
Two escaped slaves, "intelligent contrabands" in the language of the times, posed for this portrait in 1862 or 1863.
Many escaped slaves found employment as servants for Federal soldiers and officers.
Freed Negroes in Southern town shortly after the Civil War. Undated photograph.