Scars of Slavery

Description

On July 4, 1863, one of the most widely read magazines in the country during the Civil War published an image capturing the abhorrent cruelties of slavery — the side portrait of an escaped slave with terrifying, streaking scars across his back caused by a whipping from his owner. In the latest of our History Bites lectures series, recent research will be presented by Bruce Laurie, professor emeritus of history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, into two local men who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War era — Henry S. Gere of Northampton and Marshall S. Stearns of Northfield — providing new clues about the true identity of the former slave brought to national attention by Harper’s Weekly. History Bites is held in the Woodbury room of the Jones Library, right next door to the Strong House. The programs begin promptly at 12:15 with seating and refreshments ready just before noon. The lectures are free and everyone is welcome to attend.