LOC: Title from inscription on back of the mount. "Civil War contraband"

Man Identified as William Headly.

Written on back of card: “William Headly, a contraband from a plantation near Raleigh N.C. arrived at Newberne [i.e. New Bern] N.C. on the 20th May 1864 having been six weeks on the road, neither sleeping or eating in a house during the time.

Two others left with him but were caught by the slave holders Blood Hounds and either killed or taken back.

He was weak and nearly famished when he arrived. His clothes were of many colors and qualities. His cloak consisted of an old cotton grain bag, slit open on one side and raveled which gives the appearance of the sick[?] fringe.

He appeared perfectly happy and satisfied upon reaching the Union lines and is now one of the best hands working on Fort Chase N.C. June 11, 1864.”

This photograph was sold with another photograph of Horace James, Union Army chaplain and Freedmen’s Bureau officer, who probably wrote on the description on the back of the photograph of William Headly.

- Purchased by William A. Gladstone; 1995; (DLC/PP-1995:113.169) The Gladstone Collection

Source: LOC