MICKEY Z.: 175 Years Ago -- Nat Turner Puts The South On Notice

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Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

"Nothing struck deeper fear into the hearts of southerners, whether they held slaves or not, than the idea of a slave revolt." --Historian Kenneth C. Davis

Two earlier slave revolts -- by Gabriel Prosser and Denmark Vesey -- had blazed the path and shattered the myth of African slaves as docile co-conspirators in their plight. But it was Nat Turner who brought reality into the homes of Southerners. Born in Southampton County, Virginia, the deeply religious Turner was prone to visions and dubbed "The Prophet" by his fellow slaves.

As a young man, Turner was sold to Thomas Moore. Upon Moore's death, Turner moved to the home of Joseph Travis, the new husband of Moore's widow. In each setting, he was remembered for his praying, fasting, and visions.

A solar eclipse in February, 1831, was interpreted by Turner to be the sign for him to take action. He and a few trusted friends commenced planning an insurrection. Originally slated for July 4, but postponed due to Turner being ill, the plan resurfaced Aug. 13, when an atmospheric disturbance made the sun appear bluish-green. Again construing this as a sign, Turner and his fellow slaves decided to act. On Aug. 21 -- 175 years ago this week -- they killed the entire Travis family as they slept. Thus began a house-to-house murdering spree that swelled Turner's "army" to more than 40 slaves. By the morning of Aug. 22, word of the rebellion had gotten out -- prompting a calling up of the militia and a wave of fright through the region. Turner and his men continued marching and killing but were badly outnumbered by the white militia. Many slaves were arrested or killed, but Turner eluded capture for two months.

"The whites around Southampton ... were thrown into an utter panic, many of them fleeing the state," says Davis.

By the time Turner was finally caught Oct. 30, 55 whites had been stabbed, shot, and clubbed to death. Turner's actions, while doomed to end with his death at the hands of the state, had impacted the South and its "peculiar institution" in a permanent manner.

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