| Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Document Type | Correspondence and Circular |
| Names Mentioned | – |
| Date | July 13, 1863 |
| Document Title | Superintendent of Maryland Black Recruitment to the Headquarters of the Middle Department and 8th Army Corps |
| Document Description | Colonel William Birney to Assistant Adj. General, 13 July 1863, B-434 1863, Letters Received, ser. 2343, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-112 5} ⢠Two weeks later, Birney liberated fifty-nine other slaves who had been incarcerated in a Baltimore slave pen, enlisting the men in the Union army. (Freedom, ser. 2: doc. 70.) (from The Destruction of Slavery, pages 372-376) |
| Transcription |
Baltimore, July 13, 1863. Sir, I respectfully submit the following facts, for the action of the Major General Commanding. Twenty four able-bodied colored men, free from diseases and defects which would disqualify them from joining the army are desirous of enlisting. They are all confined at present in the Baltimore City Jail. The facts in regard to each I will briefly state. 1. CHARLES JENNINGS. The jail Record shews that, on the 2d December, 1861, he was committed by Magistrate Nalls as a “Runaway for further hearing”. Another entry is “Property of Messrs Wm J.T.E. & J.H. Stewart; Trustees.” Jennings says he is the property of General J.B. Stewart, of the rebel service, and was placed in prison to be kept there during the war or until the possession of this city by the rebels. 2. Jacob Taylor. The jail record shews the same state of facts, except that he was committed December 3, 1861. Taylor’s statement agrees with that of Jennings. 3. Peter Knox. The jail records shews nothing except that on the 1st June, 1862, he was committed by Magistrate E.R. Sparks, as “a runaway slave.” There is no statement of claim or ownership or hearing. Peter Knox states that he was the slave of a notorious secessionist, Captain John Fulton, of the rebel army, residing in Accomac Co., Va.; that on account of the open display of two secession flags by Captain Fulton, he, Knox, was declared free by General Lockwood, who gave him free papers, that he served for about seven months as waiter to an officer in the 150th N.Y.S.V; that he lost his papers, was arrested here in Baltimore and thrown into jail where he has been lying ever since. [In another handwriting} Was taken out of Slave Pen" by Habeas Corpus by Judge Bond who has his case under consideration. 4. JOHN THOMAS. The jail record shews that this man was committed July 30, 1861, by Magistrate Griffin, "for examination, charged with being a runaway slave" - that he was "returned same day & in jail.” An entry in pencil is as follows: "Property of G. R. Gaither to be held for him." Mr. Gaither, I learn, is a wealthy merchant of this city or vicinity, a secessionist whose son is in the rebel army. 5. THOMAS KNOCK. The jail record shews that he was committed May 22, 1863, by Magistrate Hiss, "being a runaway slave, the property of Captain William Knock, of Salisbury, Md. to the order of his master." This master is now, I understand, and has long been, a captain in the rebel army. 6. BENJAMIN JOHNSON. The jail record shews that he was committed June 29, 1863, by Magistrate Johnson, "Being a slave and the property of GREENLEAF JOHNSON, of Somerset Co., Md." The slave himself knows nothing of this master but says he belongs to a lady named Dorsey, who lives in the country. 7. JOHN NORRIS. The jail record shews that he was committed June 29, 1863, by Magistrate Johnson, "Being the slave and property of GREENLEAF JOHNSON of Somerset Co. Md" This man knows nothing whatever of Greenleaf Johnson but says that he belongs to Mr. Noah Worthington, of Baltimore Co. 8. LEWIS AYRES. The jail record shews that he was committed June 29, 1863, by Magistrate Johnson, "being a slave the property of GREENLEAF JOHNSON, of Somerset Co., Md." Ayres himself has never heard of this master but says he belongs to Mrs. Briscoe, a secessionist lady of Georgetown, D.C., who had him brought here in March, 1862 for fear he would be freed in the District. At first, he was kept in “Campbell’s Slave jail” but afterwards put in the city jail where the expenses are only 30 cents a day. 9. NICHOLAS CROSS. The jail record shews committal of same date, same magistrate, same owner, “Greenleaf Johnson.” Cross never heard of this master but says he belongs to Noah Worthington of Watersville, near Baltimore. Mr. W’s politics known. 10. John Boardley same committal, same date, same owner, same entry. Owner “Greenleaf Johnson.” The slave says he belongs to Dr. Ristar, who is said to be a secessionist of Baltimore Co. 11. GEORGE BOND. same date, same magistrate, same entry, same owner, "GREENLEAF JOHNSON of Somerset Co. Md. I did not speak with this man but hear that he knows nothing of Mr. Greenleaf Johnson. 12. JAMES GLASCOE. Same date, same magistrate, same entry, same owner, "GREENLEAF JOHNSON, of Somerset Co. Md. The man Glascoe knows nothing of Greenleaf Johnson, but says he belongs to Dr. Michael Stone, of Prince George’s Co., Md. And that he was kept for about one year in the private slave Jail known as "Campbell's", before he was placed in his present prison. 13. CHARLES JORDAN. Same date, same magistrate, same entry, same owner "GREENLEAF JOHNSON of Somerset Co., Maryland". Jordan himself says he belongs to John Dorsey who is known as a secessionist residing near Ellicott's mills. 14. JOSHUA SCROGGINS. Same date, same magistrate, same entry, same owner "Greenleaf Johnson of Somerset Co., Md." Scroggins himself knows nothing of Greenleaf Johnson, but says he belongs to Noah Worthington, of Watersville. The attention of Major General Schenck is respectfully invited to the fact that not one of these nine persons knows anything of Mr. Greenleaf Johnson who claims to be the owner. Without collusion, each one tells a different story, claims to belong to a different master and tells a clear story. I except George Bond, with whom I held no conversation on the subject. They were committed on the same day by the same magistrate, for the same owner & by the same constable, one "F. L. Morrison" 15. FREDERICK ROBINSON. The jail record shews that he was committed Octo. 7, 1861, by Magistrate Hiss as "Runaway Property of Theodore Lanner further hearing" A marginal entry is “Theodore Lamer, 5 miles below Queenstown, Md.” He has been in prison nearly two years without hearing!! 16. JAMES WHITE. The jail record shews that he was committed November 29, 1861, by magistrate Nalls, as “Slave property of Harry Kimberly for safe keeping.” Mr. Kimberly is a Union man and James White does not bear a good character at the prison as a peaceable man 17. William Shipley. Was committed Feb. 25, 1862, by Magistrate Nalls, as "Runaway from Mrs. Emily McTavish for hearing" 18. Columbus Shipley. Was committed Feb 25, 1862, by Magistrate Nalls, as “Runaway from Mrs. Emily McTavish, for hearing.” M M T . h . 19. MOSES SHIPLEY. The Jail record shews committal, Feb. 21, by Magistrate Irving, as “Being about to abscond from his master, Mr. C. C. McTavish" He has been in jail nearly 16 months on this suspicion! Mr. McTavish lives in Howard Co. Politics not known. 20. ISAAC BROWN. The record shews committal, May 6, 1863, by magistrate Hiss, for "Insubordination, Committed subject to the order of his master, A. H. Stump". The master is reputed to be disloyal. 21. MICHAEL GREEN. The record shews committal May 6, 1863, by Magistrate Spicer, as "a runaway slave the property of Wm D. Clark" The owner is reputed to be disloyal. His agent is Mr. Collins McKenzie, of this city. 22. MATTHEW IBBINS. The record shews committal May 27,1863, by Magistrate Showacre, as "Being a runaway, the property of N. W. S. Hays, of Harford Co. The owner is Nathaniel W. S. Hayes, a secessionist, whose son is a surgeon in the rebel army. The slave has been in jail two years and two months, having been confined for most of that time in one of those private jails known as a "slave pen. 23. AUGUSTUS BADEN. The record shews committal by magistrate Hiss, June 3, 1863, as "Being a runaway slave, the property of Catherine Gardiner, of Prince George's Co., Maryland. Subject to the order of his mistress. Politics of mistress not known. 24. NACE TAYLOR. The record shews committal, June 19, 1863, by Magistrate Johnson, as "Being a runaway slave of Benj. Pembroke, of St Mary's Co., Md. Committed to await the order of his master, Benj. Pembroke." Another entry directs bill to be sent to B. P. at Robertson & Briscoe's, 149 Pratt St., up stairs. 25. JOHN SHELTON. The record shews committal, may 12, 1863, by Magistrate Forrester, as a “Runaway.” Belongs to Francis Dunnington, Doncaster P.O., Charles Co., Md.” Another entry is “Sold Thos. Skinner.” The first owner, Dunnington is reputed disloyal. The second is not known. 26. Matthias Ecleston. The record shews committal, May 24, 1863, by Magistrate Welsh, as “Being a runaway slave.” No owner’s name is mentioned but the man says he belongs to John Evans, No. 12, Chester St., Baltimore. Mr. Evans, to say the least, is not known to be a loyal man. I have the honor to annex hereto literal copies of the jail record and to suggest that these men, with the exception of two, are capable of rendering good service to the country in the field, instead of lying in prison. I trust they will be permitted to enlist in the 4th Regiment, United States Colored Troops, now in process of formation in this city. Your obedient servant, William Birney. |
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[Author (if known)], Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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