"Prayer Meeting in a Contraband Camp – Washington, 1862" Steel Engraving

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], "Prayer Meeting in a Contraband Camp – Washington, 1862" Steel Engraving, 1887, SC 0060, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.06 cubic feet 1 letter folder
Creator:
Cade, J. J., active 1890-1900, Sheppard, William Ludwell, 1833-1912, A.D. Worthington & Co., and Cohasco, Inc.
Abstract:
The "Prayer Meeting in a Contraband Camp – Washington, 1862" Steel Engraving, 1887, is comprised of one 5 ¼ x 8 ¾ inch engraving featuring imagery of African-American worshippers, crowded into a small dark cabin. The prayer meeting attendees are depicted as singing, clapping, dancing, stomping their feet, and generally moving about energetically with arms uplifted.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], "Prayer Meeting in a Contraband Camp – Washington, 1862" Steel Engraving, 1887, SC 0060, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The "Prayer Meeting in a Contraband Camp – Washington, 1862" Steel Engraving, 1887, is comprised of one 5 ¼ x 8 ¾ inch engraving featuring imagery of African-American worshippers, crowded into a small dark cabin. The prayer meeting attendees are depicted as singing, clapping, dancing, stomping their feet, and generally moving about energetically with arms uplifted. Printed on the bottom border: "Oh I'm gwine home to glory--won't yer go along wid me, Whar de blessed angels beckon, an' de Lor' my Saviour be?'"

Biographical / historical:

William Ludwell Sheppard (1833-1912) was born in Richmond, Virginia and served with the Richmond Howitzers in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was a watercolorist, illustrator, teacher, and painter who began his career as a tobacco label illustrator. He has been credited with providing valuable imagery of the American South, including the African-American experience, and the Civil War. Other similar works include: "The First African Church, Richmond, Virginia – Interior of the Church, from the Western Wing" (1874), "Negroes Hiding in the Swamps of Louisiana" (1873), and "The Sunny South – a Negro Revival Meeting – a Seeker 'Getting Religion'" (1873).

A contraband camp refers to an encampment set up near Union forces during the American Civil War by certain escaped slaves who allied with the Union.

Acquisition information:
James Madison University Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in January 2016.
Arrangement:

The engraving is housed in one letter folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard