Nothing new here. For the South to win its war for independence, the South has to guard against negro insurrections. In fact, slaveown shouldn’t even let their slaves go at large.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 2, 1864:
Charged with Insurrection.
–A negro named Thomas, the slave of Mrs. Charlotte Wright, was brought before the Mayor yesterday, charged with giving information to the enemy, and with making use of insurrectionary language. It appeared that Tom has been running about for a long time doing pretty much as he pleased; going to his wife’s at Mr. Smith’s, in Henrico, near the Meadow Bridges when he pleased, and coming back when it suited him. Last week Mrs. Wright threatened to hire him to some of the hospitals, when he refused to go, saying that the Yankees would soon have the city, when she would be humble enough, and showing her a pass which he said had been given him by the Yankees. She asked him if he would give the Yankees the information necessary to enable them to get here, and he said he would.
We give a copy of the pass alluded to, which was found on him at the time of his arrest:
“Pass the bearer to his house to set some clothes.
“J. B. Scintosh, [McIntosh]
“Colonel commanding.”
Mr. Smith, at whose house Tom’s wife lives, stated that, on the morning when Sheridan’s raiders had possession of the country about Meadow Bridges, the shells alarmed the negroes at his house, and they, Tom among them, ran off to the woods, where they were caught by the Yankees. –Tom then obtained this pass from the Yankee Colonel to go back to the house to get his clothes. Tom and the rest of the negroes, though invited to go off with the Yankees, rinsed to go. Mr. Smith said this was all he knew about the matter, and he had thought it proper to state it. He knew nothing of what had passed between Mrs. Wright and the negro. The Mayor continued the case till this morning. If no “insurrection” can be proved against the negro, he should be severely punished for his insolence. All this comes of permitting negroes to go at large. Wherever insolent negroes are found further inquiry will disclose the fact that they have been indulged by their owners and permitted to do pretty much as they please. This practice of permitting slaves to go at large ruins the negroes and inflicts a wrong upon the community.
