Mistreatment and Exploitation: Slavery in Louisiana, USA, 1863

The slave shown in this photograph, who had been badly mistreated by his overseer, sat for this portrait in 1863 – during the American Civil War (1861–1865). In addition to political and economic measures, the anti-slavery movement exerted influence on the military conflict between the northern and southern states of the USA.

Overseer Artayou Carrier whipped me. I was two months in bed sore from the whipping. My master come after I was whipped; he discharged the overseer. The very words of poor Peter, taken as he sat for his picture. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 04/02/1863, black-and-white photograph, 1863, unknown photographer; image source: National Archives, Washington D.C., http://research.archives.gov/description/533232, public domain.