This 1863 photograph of “Peter,” a formerly enslaved man, displaying scars from his overseer’s whippings, was widely reproduced as evidence of slavery’s cruelty. The image was sometimes paired with a photo or drawing of “Peter” after his enlistment in the U.S. Army. “Peter” was sometimes identified as “Gordon.”
The original caption reads: Baton Rouge, La. [Louisiana], April 2, 1863. Ten days from to-day I left the plantation. Overseer Artayou Carrier whipped me. My master was not present. I don’t remember the whipping. I was two months in bed sore from the whipping and my senses began to come–I was sort of crazy. I tried to shoot everybody. They said so, I did not know. I did not know that I had attempted to shoot every one; they told me so. I burned up all my clothes; but I don’t remember that. I never was this way (crazy) before. I don’t know what make me come that way (crazy). My master come after I was whipped; saw me in bed; he discharged the overseer. They told me I attempted to shoot my wife the first one; I did not shoot any one; I did not harm any one. My master’s Capt. John Lyon, cotton planter, on Atchafalya [Atchafalaya], near Washington, La. Whipped two months before Christmas. The very words of poor Peter, taken as he sat for his picture.
