There were additional “freedom-seekers” or “escaping slaves” after January 1, 1863, the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation.  This picture was taken in southern Stafford during this “Second Exodus.” There are no macro-numbers as in the first exodus, but there are anecdotal numbers of individual sightings such as, “50 former slaves passed by here.”

(This photograph was taken by David Woodbury and copied by artists by drawing and engraving for publication in newspapers. See “Photo Gallery” for one.)