Contrabands, or fugitive slaves, traveled through the South in search of freedom in the North. The journey north was a dangerous and arduous trial in which hunger, exhaustion, and violent arrest or mistreatment accompanied the slaves' every move. As Northern troops edged southward and in from the coasts, hundreds of thousands of slaves fled their masters for the protection of the Union lines. Many, however, met more hardship when, especially early in the war, Union soldiers dutifully returned them to their slave masters, or, as was common throughout the war, harassed and robbed the slaves of their meager possessions. By the summer of 1862, and particularly after the Contraband Acts were passed in July, newly freed slaves gathered into contraband of war camps. There they received limited government assistance while the able-bodied performed harsh menial labor for the Army. As the group of contrabands in this photo shows, they were often not issued quality clothing -- if any -- by the Union army after joining or aiding in the building and transporting of camps. Only in 1863 did African Americans get their first chance to serve in an active combat unit. Nevertheless, slaves continued to head North in the belief that freedom awaited them upon arrival. Examine this photograph of African American teamsters and consider the position, stature, and location of the men. Reflect on how they are dressed, where they are standing, and on the background as important influences in your interpretation of this photograph.

Investigate the source using the zoom and navigational tools in the Flash player and then answer the questions below.

1			What are these men wearing? What is their occupation? Are they combatants or laborers?
2			Where are they standing? Why is this important in interpreting this photograph?
3			How do they look? Are they shameful? Hopeful? Proud? Downtrodden?
4			What types of buildings are behind them?
5			How might the photographer have manipulated this photograph and its contents?