Narrative Dairy Entries
September 17, 1849,
Dear Journal,
Yesterday, I finally escaped from Mary Brodess and her harsh labor that she forced onto us. I made it out with Henry and Ben, but they wanted to go back. I found it strange, because our master was so horrible to us, and I couldn’t stand by what she was doing. I can’t stop thinking about all the other slaves that are still in the Maryland Plantation, still being whipped and beaten by our master. I think I might go back, to save them, but it is dangerous. The others at the Underground Railroad tell me that it is useless, and that I should stay where it is safe, but I won’t stand by what is happening there, because I know that there is a way. If I escaped safely, shouldn’t the others be able to run away too? There’s a spot waiting for them here. It’s a place where we can all go, where there is no segregation because of the color of our skin. I think that I should go, even if it is dangerous.
The Maryland Plantation is so different to the underground railroad. It’s safe, but it doesn’t put my mind at ease, not when there are so many slaves waiting for help. It’s scary, thinking about the things going on in the world, but I have taken to writing my feelings and thoughts. I can’t read or write, but the others that can speak are helping me to write this. I don’t know many people here yet, but I think I will soon. Mostly everyone here is nice. Nothing much is happening yet, and I’m taking my time to orient myself with my surroundings. It’s getting late now, and I need some rest. I will write more when something happens.
December 23, 1850
Dear Journal,
I went back the Maryland Plantation a few weeks ago. The others were warning me not to go, that it was too dangerous, but I went out after they had gone to sleep. It took a long time to get there, and the people here say it was more than 90 miles. I got a few of my family out, but Henry and Ben didn’t want to go again. I’m not sure exactly how many I got, but I saw my niece and two of her siblings following me. It’s been a tiring few weeks, but I feel much better now. I know this is what god has put in store for me, and I want to help the others that are trapped inside Maryland.
I was so scared out there, especially in the plantation. It had been over a year since I went back to that horrid place, and it was so terrible. It went smooth though, and we made it out with not much hassle. I had to drug some of the younger children and babies, because they were crying loudly, and we might have been caught by the slave-catchers otherwise. I think I might go back soon to rescue some others. It is dangerous, but I feel strongly against slavery. This might be my last message if my next mission at Maryland goes wrong.
April 12, 1861
Dear Journal,
It has been eleven years since I have written in you. In that time, I made nineteen trips back to Maryland and other slave-labor places. I helped more than 300 people escape, and I brought them to the underground railroad. I took others further north where they wanted to create a new life. The people who stayed here are extremely kind, and say I should rest for a while, but I feel I need to do more. With the new Civil War, I think I can help spread light on the situations that slaves around America are facing.
I am not sure whether I should be scared about the war. People say that it’s going to be hard, but I think that if I fight alongside the federal army, a union victory will bring us one step closer to the abolition of slavery. I am willing to take any measures to bring down segregation in our country. If I am only a minor role, than at least I am playing my own part in the war. I might not be back at the underground railroad for a long time. I might not come back. I hope I can write more about what happens, but I might not have much time.
June 1, 1863
Dear Journal,
Tomorow, I lead a raid into Combahee. Plenty has happened in the two years regarding the civil war. The union has had a massive victory of the confederation in the Battle of Gettysburg, and tomorrow, I am in charge of an armed raid. It is a huge honor for me and all the slaves, and my friends say that I will be the first women to do so. It has been a hard two years, and the army doesn’t pay me very much. Anyhow, I will stick with what I am doing, as I still believe that a union victory will help us push further to the end of slavery. I am nervous, but proud. We are nearing the end of the Civil War, and everything, it seems, tells us that we will win. It will be hard, and many will be injured, but together we will prevail.
April 9, 1865
Dear Journal,
The war has finally been won. It has stretched on far longer than we expected, but it is over now. At the Combahee Ferry Raid, which I led two years ago, we freed more than 700 slaves. I thought, back then, that the end was near, but we had to waited another two years for the end we expected. I am old and frail now, and I cannot go on with these daring acts of bravery anymore. The years of fighting and rescuing slaves from bondage is beginning to take its toll on my body. I still want to fight, but in a more peaceful manner.
Now that slavery has been abolished, I can turn my thoughts to more relevant matters. The tides of liberty are swaying now to the rights of women. More specifically, women’s suffrage, the right for us to vote. If we put our mind to it, we can change the world to a better place – that much I have learnt. I want to help, and have wanted that since the day I was born. I live to help others, and I will pursue that dream until I die.
March 6, 1896
Dear Journal,
I have been invited to speak at multiple different venues about antislavery and women’s rights. Already, I have toured New York and Boston, speaking in favor of women’s rights at the suffrage conventions. Even the National Association for Colored Women has offered for me to speak at their movements. I am proud to be taking part in these actions. I am old, and weak, and the strength that I used to have has long left my body. I cannot lead men into war, and I cannot rescue my people from slavery anymore, but I can fight against the evil in this country. I believe that we should be allowed to vote, despite our gender or race. I have said many times, that I will always fight for what I think I should fight for, and I still stand by those words. As I near death, I have grown more appreciative for what we have, and saddened by immoral acts. We should not let people be treated unfairly; we shall fight against the wrongs, even if it is dangerous. I nearing the age of death, but my mind stays firmly still. I hope, above all things, that my legacy will live on.
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The Maryland Slave Plantation, the place where Harriet lived for almost the first 30 years of her life.