Burns March Military Auction
Lot 111:
Description
A rare circa 1861 anti-slavery illustrated cover with an early depiction of and use of the term “contraband,” referencing self-emancipated slaves who fled to Union lines during the Civil War. Titled “Contraband of War” ‘Volunteer sappers and Miners from the F.F.V.s (First Families of Virginia). A group of slaves with pickaxes and shovels address a mounted officer, (in vernacular) “Massa Butler” (General Benjamin Butler), “we’s jest seceded from Harper’s Ferry where we learned de trade of making Trenches and Fortifications,…….We borrowed des yer tools at de Ferry and if Des isent Contraband, we’s gwine to carry em back at the close of horsetilities”. The depiction of General Butler is significant as he first conceived and enacted what became the Union’s “contraband policy.” On May 27, 1861, he announced that his troops would not enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. Butler argued that Virginia’s secession meant that escaped slaves, under international law, were “contraband of war,” and he was not required to return them to their former owners. Cover measures 5.5″ x 3.125″. Overall very good condition with a few spots on the front cover. Wear on back cover indicates this was most likely removed from a scrapbook. Cover is unused. Pick up is Sunday, March 29 from 10 am to 4 pm at our gallery in Lancaster, Ohio 43130 or we will provide in-house shipping for this item. We will charge a $5 fee if you want to pick this lot up another day. Once packed up we will send you an invoice for shipping & handling. Shipping questions: [email protected]. Sales tax is collected on this auction. TL27
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