Slavery and the War in Virginia

From the Nov. 1, 2013, Washington Post "The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832" by James Oakes.

Francis Scott Key wrote the famed "Star-Spangled Banner."  We only sing the first verse, so that is what most Americans know.  But, in the third verse, he takes a swipe at the British for their emancipation of slaves in 1812.  It occurs when he says, "No refuge could save the hireling and slave/ From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave."

When the poem was written, the British were in the midst of terrorizing the Chesapeake Bay region by attacking farms and plantations, sacking towns and freeing slaves.

Thousands of newly freed slaves were wandering the countryside.  Some enlisted in the British Navy (always looking for seamen).  Others provided valuable information as to the countryside and American defenses.  Some joined the Colonial Marines.  Others were "carried off" to freedom in Bermuda, Nova Scotia and Trinidad.

--Brock-Perry