Taut free verse tells the little-known story of the first contraband camp of the Civil War—seen by some historians as the "beginning of the end of slavery in America." One night in 1861, three escaped slaves made their way from the Confederate line to a Union-held fort. The runaways were declared "contraband of war" and granted protection. As word spread, thousands of runaway slaves poured into the fort, seeking their freedom. These "contrabands" made a home for themselves, building the first African American community in the country. In 1863, they bore witness to one of the first readings of the Emancipation Proclamation in the South—beneath the sheltering branches of the tree now known as Emancipation Oak.
- ISBN10 1580895514
- ISBN13 9781580895514
- Publish Date 3 December 2019 (first published 7 January 2014)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Charlesbridge Publishing,U.S.
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 32
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781580895514