Nat Turners Rebellion
B: Summary of Evidence1
August 22, 1831 Nat Turner and six fellow slaves prepared for their attack. Their plan was to move systematically from plantation to plantation in Southampton and kill all white people connected to slavery, including men, women, and children1. The six men gathered by a pond in Southampton, Virginia. Nat's four tested supporters, plus two new recruits. They ate barbeque and drank apple brandy as they waited. Late in the afternoon, after Nat arrived, the group discussed things deeply and seriously. Nat questioned one of the new recruits. Will was a tall, powerful man, whose back had a mass of scars from whippings. Will told Nat that his wife had recently been sold to a slave trade, and that he was willing to die for freedom. Morale was high, their resolve was fierce.2 General Nat laid out his plan: They would strike hard and fast that night--marching toward the county seat at Jerusalem.3 At 10 p.m., they moved out and entered the home of Joseph Travis, whose papers said he owned Nat Turner. Nat Turner struck the first blow with the hatchet. And Will finished the killing with the broadax4. They took arms and horses, and rode into the night. The slave rebels arrived at a slave owner's compound at a full gallop, completely unexpected, and swiftly killed all the slave owners5. No mercy was shown. They would kill every slave owner they could find, regardless of age or sex. They wanted no one left alive during their raids who could sound an alarm or provide knowledge to the slave owners army. They planned to gather more arms, more supplies and especially new recruits along the way. They expected the slaves of Virginia to help accompany them in this rebellion. Nat's forces grew as he had planned. first a dozen, and then 30 and then 60, and perhaps 806. He divided his fighters into two units. A group of 10 or 15, including Will, were given the horses, to ride up rapidly on the farm houses and kill the slave owners7. Nat took his post at the rear
August 22, 1831 Nat Turner and six fellow slaves prepared for their attack. Their plan was to move systematically from plantation to plantation in Southampton and kill all white people connected to slavery, including men, women, and children1. The six men gathered by a pond in Southampton, Virginia. Nat's four tested supporters, plus two new recruits. They ate barbeque and drank apple brandy as they waited. Late in the afternoon, after Nat arrived, the group discussed things deeply and seriously. Nat questioned one of the new recruits. Will was a tall, powerful man, whose back had a mass of scars from whippings. Will told Nat that his wife had recently been sold to a slave trade, and that he was willing to die for freedom. Morale was high, their resolve was fierce.2 General Nat laid out his plan: They would strike hard and fast that night--marching toward the county seat at Jerusalem.3 At 10 p.m., they moved out and entered the home of Joseph Travis, whose papers said he owned Nat Turner. Nat Turner struck the first blow with the hatchet. And Will finished the killing with the broadax4. They took arms and horses, and rode into the night. The slave rebels arrived at a slave owner's compound at a full gallop, completely unexpected, and swiftly killed all the slave owners5. No mercy was shown. They would kill every slave owner they could find, regardless of age or sex. They wanted no one left alive during their raids who could sound an alarm or provide knowledge to the slave owners army. They planned to gather more arms, more supplies and especially new recruits along the way. They expected the slaves of Virginia to help accompany them in this rebellion. Nat's forces grew as he had planned. first a dozen, and then 30 and then 60, and perhaps 806. He divided his fighters into two units. A group of 10 or 15, including Will, were given the horses, to ride up rapidly on the farm houses and kill the slave owners7. Nat took his post at the rear