Free Negroes
Information about Free Negros in Richmond, VA during the Civil War

Written Accounts

1866-07-20, New York Times; fascinating account of the execution of a former USCT soldier for murder. Execution took place inside Libby Prison. Rope snapped the first time, requiring a second attempt. Notes that the man had been a soldier
1866-10-22, Richmond Dispatch; negroes living at Chimborazo are engaging in “careless and continued firing of muskets”- close calls with citizens and bullets reported. City police are powerless to stop it – complaints now made to Henrico county authoritie
1866-10, Debow's Review; "Camp Lee and the Freedman's Bureau;" mostly a racist diatribe, gives a few details into the camp's operation. By George Fitzhugh
1866-12-11, Richmond Dispatch; Freedmen’s school and orphan asylym removed from Camp Lee to “the laboratory near Hollywood.”
1866-12-28, Richmond Dispatch; hog strays into Chimborazo, killed and dressed. Negro to be arrested.
1866, Trowbridge, John T., The South...; account of the author's travels to Richmond and the adjoining battlefields. Good material on Belle Isle, Brown's Island, Libby Prison, battlefields near the city, Camp Lee
1867-04-27, Richmond Dispatch; grand jury finds a true bill against Taliaferro Fisher, for murder of James Doyle on Chimborazo hill, 7/1/1866
1867-05-13, New York Times; another race riot in Richmond involving blacks from “the lower portion of the city”(probably Chimborazo) – several policemen injured. Soldiers guarding Libby Prison assist in breaking it up, capturing 18.
1867-05-28, Richmond Whig; “A Negro Riot” began during the testing of fire engines at the dock, resulted mob attacking police attempting to free a prisoner. Gen. Schofield and Mayor disperse the crowd at Broad and Seventh
1867-05-28, Richmond Whig; all the parties engaged in the riot of May 9 will be dealt with by the Mayor today

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