The advance of the Gunboats up the river to New Berne, N. Carolina. Passing the Barricade
Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)
Newspaper Advertisement in the "True Democrat" for Runaway Slaves
- 1862
Transcript
Runaway Slaves in the Penitentiary.
NOTICE.
COMMITTED to the Arkansas Penitentiary by the sheriff of Jefferson county, on the 2d day of Dec., 1861, a Negro man calling his same JOHN GORDON. He is about 55 years old, 6 feet 2 inches high, of a black color, thick lips, lower lip turned a little round to the left of his face, caused (he says) by having his jaw broke.-
Says he is a free man.
Jan. 16 1862. 24m A.J. WARD, Keeper of Penitentiary.
NOTICE.
COMMITTED to the Arkansas Penitentiary on the 2d day of December, 1861, a certain Negro Man calling his name JOHN COWANS. Said negro man is a very light mulatto, nearly white, freckled face, 5 feet nine inches high, about 50 years old, has letters J.C. pricked in Indian ink on his left m. Says he is a free man.
Jan 1862. 24m. WARD, Keeper Penitentiary.
NOTICE.
COMMITTED to the Penitentiary the 12th day of November, 1861, a certain negro Man, Calling his name BILL, about 5 feet 6 inches in height, of a black color, about 28 years old. He says he belongs to some man living near Memphis, Tenn.
The owner is requested to come forward, comply with the law and take him away, or he will be sold at the expiration of two years to pay the charges.
Dec. 5, 1861. 24m. A. J. WARD, Keeper of Penitentiary.
NOTICE.
WAS committed to the Arkansas Penitentiary, by the sheriff of Pulaski county, on the 1st of November, 1861, a certain Negro Man, calling his name John. Said negro is about 45 years old, of a black color, 5 feet nine inches in height, has pop eyes and an impediment in his speech.
He is the property of Stephen Barefield, who resides near Vicksburg, Miss. and if not taken away at the expiration of two years, will be sold by the State.
Dec. 5, 1861. 24m. A. J. WARD, Keeper of Penitentiary.
NOTICE.
COMMITTED to the Arkansas Penitentiary by the jailer of Jackson county, a certain Negro Man, calling himself LOUIS, about 5 feet 5 inches high, of a black color, light build, about 25 years old, owner unknown.
The said negro will be sold at the expiration of two if not called for by the owner.
Dec. 5, 1861. 24m A. J. WARD, Keeper of Penitentiary
This primary source comes from the Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands.
National Archives Identifier: 3854692
Full Citation: Newspaper Advertisement in the ‘True Democrat’ for Runaway Slaves; 1862; Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands, Record Group 392. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/newspaper-advertisement-in-the-true-democrat-for-runaway-slaves/, February 4, 2026]
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