Day 2 / Monday, July 9
“Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Adam leads group at Point Comfort
Click on any photo to enlarge
Point Comfort – site of first
slave arrival
After a quiet morning on the bus, we arrived at Old Point Comfort, which is located at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula between the James and York rivers, at the mouth of Hampton Roads. It is a historically significant site regarding slavery and American history. This is the site where the first African slaves landed in 1619. Even now, I’m lost for words to adequately describe the feelings I have at being at the tragic place where the horror known as slavery began for my people. The closest description I can get to is a quivering, hollow ache which is bound to awe and sorrow deep in the pit of my soul. Through readings and discussions we’re made aware of the fact that the “20. and odd Negroes,” who were the first blacks to arrive in Virginia, were taken from a Spanish slave ship which had been attacked by a “Dutch man of Warr.” It is believed they were probably intended to be taken to Jamestown but stopped at Old Point Comfort for inspection and trading because it was the farthest outpost of the Virginia colony. As discussions continued we acknowledged the existence of slavery as an international business that was conducted by many groups of people in many places, for many years. We came to the realization that several different events conspired to create this monumental event which shaped our history for years to come and still exerts it influence today.
Group at Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe (Point Comfort's modern name)
Fort Monroe (named for President James Monroe) is a military installation located at Old Point Comfort that was built starting in 1819 and was completed in 1834. It is a six-sided stone fort completely surrounded by a moat. Although it is still an active Army post, sadly, it is scheduled to be closed along with other posts within the next few years. As the largest stone fort in the U.S., it is also known for having the “Lincoln Gun” which was the largest piece of artillery produced for the Civil War. Touring the area we passed by many interesting artifacts and sights, such as, a pile of cannon balls, various size cannons, Robert E. Lee’s quarters (before he was a general), casements and the gate for the Jefferson Davis Memorial Park honoring the President of the Confederate States of America 1861–1865 who was imprisoned there for two years.
My personal favorite fact learned today was how this Union army stronghold played a key role leading to the end of slavery. We were told the story of three African-American slaves of Colonel Mallory being used to aid the Confederate army, sneaking into the Union camp under cover of darkness to give themselves up. As commander of the Fort, Benjamin Butler had to decide whether he should return them or what to do with them. Upon researching the military laws he discovered he could declare them contraband and refuse to return them because the slaves were considered property of the enemy that could be used against the Union army. When Mallory came to speak with Butler under the flag of truce, Butler refused to give the slaves back. The next night more slaves escaped to the Union camp. For many nights dozens, hundreds, and eventually thousands of slaves came to the camp. These blacks were used in every aspect of the War even though it was two years before the Emancipation Proclamation and before they could legally enlist. In spite of Lincoln saying the Civil War was not about ending slavery but was about keeping the Union together, eventually President Lincoln was forced to decree that the slaves in the Union lines would be given their freedom. In this way Fort Monroe played a part in both the beginning and ending of slavery. It was this commitment to the protection of people escaping to freedom that gave the Fort the moniker “Freedom Fortress.”
Lesson planning workshop
After our fruitful and enlightening discussion we journeyed on to Williamsburg, Virginia. The first lesson plan workshop was held in the Woodland Inn. Led by Alexa Cawley and Darryl Calloway, our group began by sharing the key issues and events we usually start with in teaching about slavery. Then we discussed many ways to include the information we know and are learning in order to introduce material that might be uncomfortable and even painful. Excellent ideas were generated, such as using literature to open the door to discussion, making personal connections to the students by using real world application (i.e. students writing letters to persuade government agencies to preserve historical sites, or to create markers for sites), creating political cartoons, role playing, creating a diary or journal as if you are someone in the past, using oral history, mock court trials, songs, power point presentations, etc.
The Group outside the Kings Tavern
A sumptuous meal was enjoyed at the Kings Tavern Inn. There we were entertained and served by an actor, musicians, and waiter all dressed in period costumes. We were able to get to know Darci Tucker, our hostess and guide while in Williamsburg. The night ended with an evening preview tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The day was one filled with learning and excitement, but also one of sorrow due to the difficult historical locations visited today and the role they played in the lives of African-Americans in U.S. history.
—KAREN FRISON AND CARRIE HAPPOLDT
A Chesapeake Journey: From Slavery to Freedom