Civil War: Fight for Freedom

Slavery, Why?

"No!", I cry as a slave trader is putting me in handcuffs and is loading me on his wagon. As I step into the wagon I hear a loud crack behind me, and then comes the pain.  

No! as I sit up in bed crying.   

 I breathe and I say to my self it was just a dream. I try to go back to sleep but every time I lay back down I think of what just scared me half to death. I look at the clock in the back of my bedchambers. It's 6:55, I sat up again and thought about my day. Even though I am supposed to call a slave I get up and get dressed. I start with my stockings, and then the most uncomfortable the corset made with whalebone. Then came the Camisole, and the dress is a silky dress with lace and pearls at the bottom and is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen with it's pink with roses all over. Finally, I put on my long silky gloves and bonnet and sun hat.

I walk downstairs and my mother was sitting at the Breakfast Table with my little sister Ellen. Today for breakfast we have bacon, eggs, and hot chocolate. Then my father comes in with a slave girl behind him. He sat down looking more serious then he usually is. 

He said "Ellen, yesterday when I was in town there was a slave trader. I felt like our plantation needed more people. So..."  

"No Father you did not!, I said. As soon as I said it I knew I shouldn't have.  He had a big frown on his face and started to yell. 

"EMILY CASPER YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT. I HAVE CONTROL OF THIS HOUSEHOLD AND YOU SHOULD HATE SLAVES. IS THAT CLEAR." 

 " Yes, sir I said with a gulp and I ran back upstairs to my room with tears in my eyes.

An hour later, my mother came in. She sat down on the bed quietly. After a couple of minutes, she said softly. 

"Emily, do you want to share with me what is wrong? You don't have to be nervous I will not be upset."

 I look up and say "I hate slavery, I wish it did not exist and to see it in my own house it just saddens me. Just because they have a different color of skin does not mean they are animals. they are just like us, and when I try to state my opinion around Father he just angry with me."

 I understand how you feel. I do agree that your father does not let you talk and share ideas, but that does not mean that you have to get upset. The only thing I do not agree with is the slavery portion. I think that we need help on the plantation. Don't you want your father to do well?" 

"Of course I do," I said. "I just feel like we could do it so the slaves are  not forced to work and are paid to help not forced into it."

"Well if you help any slave you will be punished is that clear? 

"Yes, of course". 

Then my mother leaves. I think to my self "No, I am going to help our slaves and I will not stop until I do."

That afternoon we gather in the atrium, to greet the new slave. Before she came father gave Ellen and I talk. 

"Girls, now when the new slave arrives I want you to listen introduce yourself and then leave. Is that clear?"

 "Yes. Sir" we say. 

Then the slave arrives in a wooden wagon at half past 5. we are in our best clothes and are stand straight and tall. The slave girl is pushed off of the wagon with her hands beside her back. 

Our father says "Girls this is the new slave girl Cecilia. She will be Emily's slave." 

I nod, and then the head of the slaves shows her around and tells her all the rules of the slaves. A lot of guilt fills up inside of me, but I do everything I can to hold me back from saying. 

"Stop don't treat her like that!"

When I go back upstairs Celia is in my room she is making my bed. I shut the door quietly which startles her. She stands up straight and does not say anything. I say you can talk I won't get mad you. 

"Hello", Celia says.

 "I want to help you" proclaimed Emily