Presentation on the Contraband Camps of Northern Virginia, Loudoun County Civil War Roundtable, Oct. 13

I am pleased to report that the Loudoun County Civil War Roundtable has invited me to speak next month about the contraband camps of Northern Virginia. During the first years of the Civil War, thousands of slaves fled to Washington in search of freedom. As the number of “contrabands” expanded, their living quarters became increasingly overcrowded and unsanitary, while the financial burden on the government continued to grow. Seeking to address these problems, the Union Army relocated freedmen and women to abandoned secessionist properties in Arlington and Fairfax during the spring of 1863. My talk will explore the history of these long-forgotten contraband camps, including economic, social, military, and political dimensions. My presentation will also offer some insights into where the camps were located in Northern Virginia. As readers know, I have devoted a lot of attention to this topic here on the blog, and I look forward to spreading story of the contraband camps to new audiences.

(courtesy of Arlington Hist. Soc.)

Below is some additional information on the event. I hope to see you there!

When: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 13

Where: Thomas Balch Library, 208 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia. Information on the location, including parking, can be found here.

Attendance is free for first-time attendees of a LCCWRT meeting.