Hampton Roads Center , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Big Bethel
First Steps to Freedom
“As a political question and a question of humanity can I receive the services of father and mother and not take the children? Of the humanitarian aspect I have no doubt; of the political one I have no right to judge.”—Gen. Benjamin F. Butler
Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler assumed command at Fort Monroe on Thursday morning, May 23, 1861. That night, three slaves belonging to Confederate Col. Charles Mallory came to the fort. The next day, Butler interviewed them and learned that they were about to be sent south “for the purpose of aiding secession forces,” he wrote Gen. Winfield Scott. Butler decided to detain them, put them to work, and give Mallory a receipt, as he would treat "any other property of a private citizen … about to be used against the United States”—so-called contrabands of war. On Saturday, May 25, Butler met with Confederate Maj. John B. Cary, who inquired about the slaves’ return. Butler replied that in Maryland, a loyal state, escaped slaves were returned to their masters, and that Mallory could have his slaves back if he took the oath of allegiance. "To this Major Cary responded that Colonel Mallory was absent,” and Butler kept the men. Secretary of War Simon Cameron endorsed Butler's policy on May 30.
Dozens of slaves fled to "Freedom's Fortress" daily from rural areas such as Big Bethel. The human flood included not only able-bodied men and women, but also their children, raising complicated military, political, and humanitarian issues. Butler established a "Slab-Town" camp in present-day Phoebus, seven miles southeast of here just outside Fort Monroe. After the Confederates burned Hampton in August, a larger Slabtown was created there, and the contrabands scavenged lumber and bricks from the ruins for houses.
(captions)
Fort Monroe, main entrance and bridge over which slaves escaped to freedom. – Courtesy Library of Congress
Contraband of War Decision, 1861. – Courtesy Casemate Museum
“Stampede of Slaves” to Fort Monroe, Harper’s Weekly, Aug. 17, 1861
Slabtown, Hampton, 1864 Courtesy Library of Congress
Erected 2016 by Virginia Civil War Trails. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1861.
Location. 37° 5.506′ N, 76° 25.581′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Hampton Roads Center. Marker can be reached from Big Bethel Road (Virginia Route 600) 0.1 miles Semple Farm Road, on the left when traveling north. Located in Bethel Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hampton VA 23666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Big Bethel Union Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2017. 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.