The Richmond Enquirer on Nat Turner's
Rebellion
Virginia, 30 August 1831
THE BANDITTI
So much curiosity has been excited in the state, and so much exaggeration will
go abroad, that we have determined to devote a great portion of this day's paper
to the strange events in the county of Southampton.... What strikes us as the
most remarkable thing in this matter is the horrible ferocity of these monsters.
They remind one of a parcel of blood-thirsty wolves rushing down from the Alps;
or rather like a former incursion of the Indians upon the white settlements'
Nothings is spared; neither age nor sex is respected-the helplessness of women
and children pleads in vain for mercy. The danger is thought to be over-but
prudence still demands precaution. The lower country should be on the alert.-The
case of Nat Turner warns us. No black man ought to be permitted to turn a
Preacher through the country. The law must be enforced or the tragedy of
Southampton appeals to us in vain.
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Extract of a letter from Jerusalem, Va., 24th August, 3 o'clock -
The oldest inhabitants of our county have never experienced such a distressing
time, as we have had since Sunday night last. The negroes, about fifteen miles
from this place, have massacred from 50 to 75 women and children, and some 8 or
10 men. Every house, room and corner in this place is full of women and
children, driven from home, who had to take the woods, until they could get to
this place. We are worn out with fatigue.
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A fanatic preacher by the name of Nat Turner (Gen. Nat Turner) who had been
taught to read and write, and permitted to go about preaching in the country,
was at the bottom of this infernal brigandage. He was artful, impudent and
vindicative, without any cause or provocation, that could be assigned.-He was
the slave of Mr. Travis. He and another slave of Mr. T. a young fellow, by the
name of Moore, were two of the leaders. Three or four others were first
concerned and most active.--
They had 15 others to join them. And by importunity or threats they prevailed
upon about 20 others to cooperate in the scheme of massacre. We cannot say how
long they were organizing themselves-but they turned out on last Monday early
(the 22d) upon their nefarious expedition.... They were mounted to the number of
40 or 50; and with knives and axes-knocking on the head, or cutting the throats
of their victims. They had few firearms among them-and scarcely one, if one, was
fit for use.... But as they went from house to house, they drank ardent
spirits-and it is supposed, that in consequence of their being intoxicated,-or
from mere fatigue, they paused in their murderous career about 12 o'clock on
Monday.
A fact or two, before we continue our narrative. These wretches are now
estimated to have committed sixty-one murders! Not a white person escaped at all
the houses they visited except two. One was a little child at Mrs. Waller's,
about 7 or 8 years of age, who had sagacity enough to Creep up a chimney; and
the other was Mrs. Barrow, whose husband was murdered in his cotton patch,
though he had received some notice in the course of the morning of the murderous
deeds that were going on; but placed no confidence in the story and fell victim
to his incredulty. His wife bid herself between weather-boarding, and the
unplastered lathing, and escaped, the wretches not taking time to hunt her out.
It was believed that one of the brigands had taken up a spit against Mr. Barrow,
because he had refused him one of his female slaves for a wife.
Early on Tuesday morning, they attempted to renew their bloody work.They made an
attack upon Mr. Blunt, a gentleman who was very unwell with the gout, and who
instead of flying determined to brave them out. He had several pieces of
firearms, perhaps seven or eight, and he put them into the hands of his own
slaves, who nobly and gallantly stood by him. They repelled the brigands-killed
one, wounded and took prisoner (Gen. Moore), and we believe took a third who was
not wounded at all....
The militia of Southampton had been most active in ferreting out the fugitives
from their hiding places.... But it deserves to be said to the credit of many of
the slaves whom gratitude had bound to their masters, that they had manifested
the greatest alacrity in detecting and apprehending many of the brigands. They
had brought in several and a fine spirit had been shown in many of the
plantations of confidence on the part of the masters, and gratitude on that of
the slaves. It is said that from 40 to 50 blacks were in jail-some of whom were
known to be concerned with the murders, and others suspected. The courts will
discriminate the innocent from the guilty.
It is believed that all the brigands were slaves-and most, if not all these, the
property of kind and indulgent masters. It is not known that any of them had
been the runaways of the swamps and only one of them was a free man of color. He
had afterwards returned to his own house, and a party sent there to apprehend
him. He was accidently seen concealed in his yard and shot....
Nat, the ringleader, who calls himself General, pretends to be a Baptist
preachers great enthusiast-declares to his comrades that he is commissioned by
Jesus Christ, and proceeds under his inspired directions-tliat the late singular
appearance of the sun was the sign for him, etc., etc., is among the number not
yet taken. The story of his having been killed at the bridge, and of two
engagements there, is ungrounded. It is believed he cannot escape.
The General [i.e., General Broadnax, the militia commander in Greensville
County] is convinced, from various sources of information, that there existed no
general concert among the slaves.-Circumstances impossible to have been feigned,
demon-
strate the entire ignorance on the subject of all the slaves in the counties
around Southampton, among whom he has never known more pefect order and quiet to
prevail.
From The Confession of Nat Turner
Convinced that "the great day of judgement was at hand," and that he "should commence the great work," Turner took the eclipse of the sun to mean that "I should arise and prepare myself, and slay my enemies with their own weapons." After his capture and arrest on October 30, 1831, Nat Turner was imprisoned in the Southampton County Jail, where he was interviewed by Thomas R. Gray, a Southern physician. Out of that interview came his "Confession." What follow is an excerpt of Gray's description of Turner during their interview.
I here proceeded to make some inquiries of him, after assuring him of the certain death that awaited him, and that concealment would only bring destruction on the innocent as well as guilty, of his own color, if he knew of any extensive or concerted plan. His answer was, I do not. When I questioned him as to the insurrection in North Carolina happening about the same time, he denied any knowledge of it; and when I looked him in the face as though I would search his inmost thoughts, he replied, "I see sir, you doubt my word; but can you not think the same ideas, and strange appearances about this time in the heavens might prompt others, as well as myself, to this undertaking." I now had much conversation with and asked him many questions, having forborne to do so previously, except in the cases noted in parentheses; but during his statement, I had, unnoticed by him, taken notes as to some particular circumstances, and having the advantage of his statement before me in writing, on the evening of the third day that I had been with him, I began a cross examination, and found his statement corroborated by every circumstance coming within my own knowledge, or the confessions of others whom had been either killed or executed, and whom he had not seen or had any knowledge since 22d of August last, he expressed himself fully satisfied as to the impracticability of his attempt. It has been said he was ignorant and cowardly, and that his object was to murder and rob for the purpose of obtaining money to make his escape. It is notorious, that he was never known to have a dollar in his life; to swear an oath, or drink a drop of spirits. As to his ignorance, he certainly never had the advantages of education, but he can read and write (it was taught him by his parents), and for natural intelligence and quickness of apprehension, is surpassed by few men I have ever seen. - As to his being a coward, his reason as given for not resisting Mr. Phipps, shews the decision of his character. When he saw Mr. Phipps present his gun, he said he knew it was impossible for him to escape, as the woods were full of men; he therefore thought it was better to surrender, and trust to fortune for his escape. He is a complete fanatic, or plays his part most admirably. On other subjects he possesses an uncommon share of intelligence, with a mind capable of attaining any thing; but warped and perverted by the influence of early impressions. He is below the ordinary stature, though strong and active, having the true negro face, every feature of which is strongly marked. I shall not attempt to describe the effect of his narrative, as told and commented on by himself, in the condemned hole of the prison. The calm, deliberate composure with which he spoke of his late deeds and intentions, the expression of his fiend-like face when excited by enthusiasm, still bearing the stains of the blood of helpless innocence about him; clothed with rags and covered with chains; yet daring to raise his manacled hands to heaven, with a spirit soaring above the attributes of man; I looked on him and my blood curdled in my veins.
I will not shock the feelings of humanity, nor wound afresh the bosoms of the disconsolate sufferers in this unparalleled and inhuman massacre, by detailing the deeds of their fiend-like barbarity. There were two or three who were in the power of these wretches, had they known it, and who escaped in the most providential manner. There were two whom they thought they had left dead on the field at Mr. Parker's, but who were only stunned by the blows of their guns, as they did not take time to reload when they charged on them. The escape of a little girl who went to school at Mr. Waller's, and where the children were collecting for that purpose, excited general sympathy. As their teacher had not arrived, they were at play in the yard, and seeing the negroes approach, she ran up on a dirt chimney (such as are common to log houses), and remained there unnoticed during the massacre of the eleven that were killed at this place. She remained on her hiding place till just before the arrival of a party, who were in pursuit of the murderers, when she came down and fled to a swamp, where, a mere child as she was, with the horrors of the late scene before her, she lay concealed until the next day, when seeing a party go up to the house, she came up, and on being asked how she escaped, replied with the utmost simplicity, "The Lord helped her." She was taken up behind a gentleman of the party, and returned to the arms of her weeping mother.
Miss Whitehead concealed herself between the bed and the mat that supported it, while they murdered her sister in the same room, without discovering her. She was afterwards carried off, and concealed for protection by a slave of the family, who gave evidence against several of them on their trial. Mrs. Nathaniel Francis, while concealed in a closet heard their blows, and the shrieks of the victims of these ruthless savages; they then entered the closet where she was concealed, and went out without discovering her. While in this hiding place, she heard two of her women in a quarrel about the division of her clothes. Mr. John T. Baron, discovering them approaching his house, told his wife to make her escape, and scorning to fly, fell fighting on his own threshold. After firing his rifle, he discharged his gun at them, and then broke it over the villain who first approached him, but he was overpowered and slain. His bravery, however, saved from the hands of these monsters, his lovely and amiable wife, who will long lament a husband as deserving of her love. As directed by him, she attempted to escape through the garden, when she was caught and held by one of her servant girls, but another coming to her rescue, she fled to the woods, and concealed herself. Few indeed, were those who escaped their work of death. But fortunate for society, the hand of retributive justice has overtaken them; and not one that was known to be concerned has escaped.