The Mississippi River has long represented a physical line of division, one that denotes freedom or enslavement on either side of its waters; by passing it, the enslaved individuals could take their first steps towards the freedom. However, the question of how this journey was accomplished is interesting; it is a question that encompasses determination, resourcefulness and courage. Throughout the nineteenth century, slaves sought passage in a variety of ways, some using creative guile; others relying on physical strength and mental endurance.
One popular method of crossing the Mississippi River for the enslaved was via Lake Providence in Louisiana. This direct approach was far from a leisurely voyage; the lake was known to be teeming with armed Kentucky slave catchers, who were ever watchful in their pursuit of their quarry. Despite the danger, enslaved individuals that made the bold decision to make this crossing would huddle together in a makeshift boat and brave the waters of the lake in search of a distant shore.
For some, the arduous journey would take them further south, to the free state of Louisiana, an area relatively unknown to many slaves. In essence, the slaves became time travellers, using their own memories and the memories of their ancestors to guide their steps towards history and progress. Courage, faith and the will to survive were essential and many found the will to make that daring step across the river.
Often, the courage and bravery required to launch oneself across the boundary went beyond crossing the Mississippi; it included an understanding of the integration of foreign customs and the implementation of perseverance in the face of what seemed like endless tasks. Those who were successful were bold and determined, able to keep alive the stories of their ancestors and the hopes of the future. It was through this determination, with support and help from other, that many escaped their bonds of enslavement.
It was also through innumerable acts of kindness, and the help of sympathetic individuals, that the passage was made possible. People like Harriet Tubman, John Washington and Juliah Mink, all active in the Underground Railroad network, played invaluable roles in the emancipation process. Their extraordinary courage and commitment enabled thousands of slaves to make the daring passage, while the individuals who offered all their unspoken support, enabled, on any scale; still deserve to be remembered.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the Underground Railroad had enabled over 100,000 enslaved individuals to cross the Mississippi River and seek freedom in the northern states. And while their stories of courage and determination can often appear more like folklore than reality, their spirit and valour will never be forgotten.
Ferry Boats and Packet Trains
Ferryboats were another popular method of crossing the Mississippi for many enslaved people looking for freedom. Packet trains operating on the northern side of the great river often had the intention of repatriating the newly freed individuals. Despite the obvious dangers associated with these crossings, individuals still found the courage to make the voyage.
The journeys northwards, while often fraught with danger, were seen as an opportunity to make a fresh start. The perilous voyage would take the individuals to a geographical area where the injustice of slavery was no longer tolerated. The promise of a better life and freedom that these passages promised kept the spirit of hope alive in their hearts and propelled them towards the shores of liberty.
Although these crossings were the most obvious, they were not the only routes of passage. Some slaves used their knowledge of the environment to devise their own paths across the boundaries, taking a more covert approach to crossing the Mississippi River. A variety of routes were adopted, from walking across shallower river beds, to taking routes along the riverbanks, to traveling clandestinely at night; all of them presented numerous risks and dangers that could have ended catastrophically.
These dangerous journeys demanded courage and resourcefulness; some enslaved individuals managed to evade capture and make the journey successfully, but for many, the consequential ultimate price of freedom was to be the ultimate sacrifice.
Deadlier than Dagger or Fire
The route of the enslaved over such treacherous waters was fraught with danger and the risk of being caught was ever present. The significance of the water crossing as a symbol of freedom and its usefulness as an escape route was not lost to many. In comparison with the methods of escape available to the slaves at the time, the Mississippi could well have been deadlier than any roof or fire, simply due to its size and power.
The risk of drowning, the freezing temperatures and the continuous danger of being caught while attempting to make the crossing served to remind the slaves of slavery’s horror. Despite such a risk, the spirit of hope still inspired many individuals to make that daring leap into the future, and what awaited them on the far side.
In the pre-dawn of freedom, countless people chose the Mississippi River as their escape route and discovered ways to move on – far from shackles of slavery – towards a brighter future. Many risked and lost their lives on those frozen passages, yet their courage and the power of their dreams lives on still.
Household Strategies and Tools
Family and community strategies were often very important elements in facilitating the crossing of the Mississippi River. The tools used also varied and often included ropes or small boats that could be used to cross the river. But these tools and strategies could not have been successful without the help of the brave people who often put their own lives on the line to provide an escape route to freedom.
The passage of the River Mississippi became a paramount passage of the African American experience. Numerous African Americans forged the paths to their freedom and their stories have become folk stories in their own right, inspiring a new generation of American citizens. Returning again and again, crossing the mighty Mississippi in search of freedom, has integrated a legacy into the veins of this country.
The journey of a people holding on to the promise of hope, despite the great fear of being captured, being a testament to their courage and faith. Such courage is unparalleled and the courage of the people crossing the Mississippi River to pursue their freedom will never be forgotten.
Unnatural Perils, Natural Wonders
Escaping the bonds of enslavement, however, was an arduous and often arduous journey, one that could take months, even years, traveling through hostile backwoods and dangerous towns and cities. Navigating a steady course, avoiding capture, and ultimately arriving safely at their destination, became the ultimate endeavour for many. While the route often took them across merciless terrain, however, their journey also enabled them to experience some of America’s majestic and breathtaking natural wonders.
Families crossing the Mississippi River faced immense danger, but many of them often stopped to admire and appreciate the beauty of the geographic wonders of the region. These stops offered the mental break necessary for individuals to gather their courage and continue upwards on their path to freedom.
Yet the decision to embrace natural wonders can also have dire consequences; the significance of these stops in the history of the Underground Railroad only serves to underscore the desperation and urgency of their journey, as they ran out of time and navigated their way towards an uncertain future.
Their journey culminated in a successful passage of the mighty Mississippi River, and with it, the promise of a better life on the other side. It is with admiration and respect that we recognize the courage of these individuals and the indomitable spirit they carried with them on their passage across the river.
Other Paths to Freedom
Other paths to freedom included seeking help from individuals both in the USA and abroad; people like William Lloyd Garrison and Reverend Salmon P. Chase were determined to tackle the injustice of slavery. From supporting individuals on the path to freedom, to standing up for the rights of slaves in court, both individuals were instrumental in supporting the cause.
By the 1840s, a number of cities, such as Cincinnati and Detroit, had become centres of the Underground Railroad network. These cities also attracted hundreds of abolitionists and sympathizers who recognized the importance of their journey and offered aid and support. This network was created to support those escaping enslavement and consisted of churches, homes, and businesses that served as “stations”, providing refuge and protection.
The Underground Railroad was a secret, somewhat clandestine network of individuals and organisations whose mission was to transport slaves from the deep south to the free north. The network was comprised of individuals from all walks of life and spanned over 1500 miles, offering help, hope and refuge to those who risked all to be free.
In the 1850s, with the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act, the Underground Railroad experienced a resurgence, with many fleeing slave owners crossing the Mississippi River on their way to the relative safety of Canada. This period also resulted in an increase in the number of abolitionists and sympathizers attempting to assist these individuals.
The Underground Railroad, with its brave and courageous individuals, supported and comforted thousands of escaping slaves. Whether they chose to cross the river by ferry, boat or even humble foot, the individuals and their assistance offered the promise of freedom, of a positive future and of the ability to start anew.
