Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Escape To Freedom
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 17, 2021
1. Escape To Freedom Marker
Inscription.
Escape To Freedom. . On 23 May 1861 three enslaved men, Frank Baker, Shepard Mallory, and James Townsend, sought freedom at Fort Monroe. A Virginia officer demanded their return, citing the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler refused, stating that this law did not apply to slaveholders in rebellion against the U.S. He asserted the right to confiscate slaves whose labor benefited the Confederacy, thus initiating the "contraband of war” policy. Thousands of freedom seekers followed, earning Fort Monroe the nickname "Freedom's Fortress.” Across the South, hundreds of thousands of enslaved people would seek protection with Union forces, charting a path toward the end of slavery in the U.S.
On 23 May 1861 three enslaved men, Frank Baker, Shepard Mallory, and James Townsend, sought freedom at Fort Monroe. A Virginia officer demanded their return, citing the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler refused, stating that this law did not apply to slaveholders in rebellion against the U.S. He asserted the right to confiscate slaves whose labor benefited the Confederacy, thus initiating the "contraband of war” policy. Thousands of freedom seekers followed, earning Fort Monroe the nickname "Freedom's Fortress.” Across the South, hundreds of thousands of enslaved people would
seek protection with Union forces, charting a path toward the end of slavery in the U.S.
Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WY-106.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1861.
Location. 37° 0.247′ N, 76° 18.624′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. Marker is at the intersection of Ruckman Road and Ingalls Road, on the left when traveling east on Ruckman Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Ruckman Rd, Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
The marker is located at the far left while the main entrance to Fort Monroe can be seen in the distance at the far right.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
