A
photograph of a runaway slave named Gordon was taken in 1863 in Louisiana, where
he was being treated by medical staff prior to enlisting in a Yankee regiment
of Colored Troops during the Civil War.
An engraving
of the photo, showing Gordon's back severely-scarred from repeated whippings, was
featured in the July 4, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly, and reproductions were used
by abolitionists in their cause to rid America of the scourge of slavery.
While serving with the Union Army, Gordon was at one point taken prisoner by rebel forces, beaten and left for dead, but he managed to escape and rejoin the Union side.