For many enslaved people during the 19th century, the Mississippi River was an unmistakable symbol of freedom. Those brave enough to make the treacherous escape were often crossing hundreds of miles to gain their freedom after many years of suffering and hardship. The Mississippi River was the busiest, longest, and ferociously guarded escape route for these enslaved people who, emboldened by the hope of freedom, took enormous risks to escape.
The Mississippi River, which twists and turns through six states, formed a natural pathway for those desperate to escape bondage, who had to work their way through the powerful river’s unpredictable, shifting currents. They had to be acutely aware of their surroundings as they left the plantation in pitch darkness, with the constant risk of encountering hostile terrain or of being pursued by slave owners seeking to recapture them or rescue parties dispatched by their masters.
The Ohio River on the northern bank of the Mississippi was the final choice for hundreds of runaways looking for the much-coveted freedom. It was that freedom that the River symbolized, the promise of a new start, a chance to finally write their own chapter of life, far away from their families. Yet, despite the danger, the grueling and hazardous journey, countless numbers undertook the awesome task.
At night when all was silent and darkness reigned, the slaves did their best to board small boats and make their escape. Most of them were unable to swim and were not familiar with the geography of the River, so meeting unexpected rough waters caused fear and despair. Even darker-skinned slaves, those of African descent, had to remain vigilant and aware of the law enforcers along the way. The soldiers stationed along the banks of the River issued permits to travelers and had the right to inquire into their travels, so their presence added another great risk to their journey.
Today, almost two hundred years after the outlawing of the slave trade, study groups have been trying to collect information on missed opportunities. Enormous numbers of slaves perished either during the escape through the South, or perished in the North, as they were attempting to cross the Mississippi, Alabama and Ohio Rivers. Even though we will never be able to count the exact number of lives that perished during that time, we must remember and use their courage as an example of bravery and determination.
The stories and the courage of those brave slaves remind us how freedom was revered by those in captivity, and makes us keenly aware of the value of freedom in our lives. For enslaved people living in the 19th century, freedom was more valuable than money, and in some cases, even more valuable than their own lives.
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses and routes established by abolitionists and other activists to aid runaway slaves in their escape to free areas. It became a powerful symbol of the Underground Railroad movement, in part due to its daring and heroic escapes. Some of the iconic figures in 19th-century American history, who were fierce advocates of civil rights, such as Harriet Tubman, travelled along this very route, leading many slaves to freedom. The actual railroad was a collection of escape routes and safe houses, but the phrase Underground Railroad was most commonly used as a code for the network of secret transportation pathways.
The most popular route on the Underground Railroad began in North Carolina, taking slaves to Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, then eventually, to safety in Canada. Each step of the way, the slaves had to avoid capture by slave catchers and bounty hunters who roamed the countryside in search of escaped slaves. The Underground Railroad did not have a single leader, but members of the abolitionist movement and many antislavery individuals and organizations throughout the south provided considerable assistance to the slaves who escaped. One of the most famous of the conductors was Harriet Tubman, who was credited with guiding over 300 slaves to freedom in the space of a decade.
At its peak, the Underground Railroad was a well organized, structured system for slaves to escape, and it greatly increased the chances of a successful escape. Traversing this clandestine, yet carefully planned route was an arduous, risky undertaking and not all the attempts ended in success. Nevertheless, many made it to freedom and the Underground Railroad was one of the most effective methods for the slaves to gain their freedom.
Mississippi’s Historical Significance
When examining the slave trade in the US, the significance of the Mississippi River plays an important role. The area around the Mississippi River was a hotspot for the slave trade, and it was fiercely defended and policed by the patrols of the slaveholders. The Mississippi was also a great transportation highway for the slave traders who used the river to ship their precious human cargo to different parts of the US. In the 19th century, the Mississippi River was a major part of the enslaved peoples’ journey to freedom, and their struggle against the ruthless, unyielding enforced bondage is part of our collective memory.
The struggle for freedom along the Mississippi River was more than just physical. The bravery of the runaways was also a strong psychological force, a statement of their strength and a demonstration of the desire for freedom, no matter the cost. They made their own paths and forged a new way of life for generations of people to come. Consequently, the Mississippi River became a marker of a new era of freedom-loving individuals, and for many people across the nation, it was an unmistakable sign of liberty that would endure for many generations.
Counterarguments
The view that the majority of slaves made their escape along the Mississippi River is a matter of debate. Scholars have emphasized the important role of other escape routes such as the Underground Railroad and other waterways such as the Ohio and Alabama Rivers. The difficulty of survived the long trek down the Mississippi was often too hard for escaped slaves, who particularly in the lower states, may have had to traverse both hostile terrain and terrain much more difficult than just the river.
In addition, the journey was made all the more difficult by the presence of slave patrols and ships, who were charged with the task of capturing fugitive slaves and taking them back to their plantation homes. Despite the risks, hundreds of slaves braved the journey, but an analysis of slave escapes indicates that the majority may have escaped via secret routes other than the Mississippi, such as through the Underground Railroad.
Rescuers & Opportunities
In addition to the escapes, it is important to recognize the important role of the rescuers who aided slaves in their escape. Several individuals from various races and religious backgrounds took considerable risks to assist freedom seekers, and the rescuers did not discriminate based on race, economic class, or religion. This included abolitionists and religious organizations such as the Quakers, Presbyterians, and Methodists. Some of the most famous rescuers of escaped slaves, such as Harriet Tubman, were African-American.
For any escapee, whether they were successful or not, the journey along the Mississippi River was filled with danger, risks, and uncertainty. But, while the journey was challenging, there were also many opportunities for the brave souls. Many of them went on to become influential politicians, educators, and activists in their respective states, and the courage of those individuals and the bravery of their rescuers remind us of the cost of freedom and the struggle for liberty.
The Aftermath
Today, the rich legacy of those generations of escaped slaves, who faced so much danger and hardship, lives in the face of the modern African-American community. These days, the Mississippi river still stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and of the courage of individuals throughout the world who have stood up to persecution. The Mississippi River, and the escaped slaves who crossed and survived it, also serves as a reminder of our need to protect the fundamental human right to freedom and liberty.
The immense risks taken by these individuals we must not be forgotten, and the stories of their courage should be remembered and shared. It is our task to recognize their struggles, build on the foundations of their bravery, and to keep their stories alive for those in the future. This can only serve to embolden and empower us in our fight for justice and equality, a fight so vitally important to the modern day African-American community.
