Springfield 'Slave Stampede' Marked Defiance of Fugitive Slave Act

Photo byKeith Jones

Amid growing tension over the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, a dramatic event known as the “Slave Stampede” unfolded in Springfield, Illinois. A group of freedom seekers, escaping bondage in Missouri, sought refuge in Springfield with the assistance of Jameson Jenkins, a prominent black resident.

The incident, reported in local newspapers, brought to light the determination of freedom seekers to resist the draconian law that required even free states to assist in the capture and return of enslaved people. It also highlighted the role of black individuals and communities in resisting the institution of slavery.

Photo byKeith Jones

While details are disputed, it is believed several enslaved individuals escaped from Missouri. In a daring rescue, Jenkins reportedly helped spirit them north towards Bloomington, Illinois. Slave catchers descended on Springfield, and rumors spread that Jenkins had betrayed the group. However, historical research suggests it's more likely the freedom seekers were captured elsewhere.

Jenkins’s legacy remains contested. Although some accounts painted him as a betrayer, historians now believe these narratives stemmed from attempts to discredit black activism against slavery.

The "Slave Stampede" serves as a poignant example of the lengths enslaved people went to pursue freedom. It also speaks to the complexities of the Underground Railroad network, where danger and the threat of betrayal were constant. Although the Fugitive Slave Act significantly tightened restrictions on escaped slaves, the Springfield episode demonstrates that it ultimately failed to extinguish the relentless fight for liberty.

Primary Sources:

• Newspaper accounts from the time: "Jameson Jenkins," SangamonLink, accessed June 28, 2023, https://sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=527
• Slave Stampedes on the Southern Borderlands - House Divided Project:: https://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/stampedes/about/ This project houses an extensive database of sources and information related to historical "slave stampedes". The detailed timeline and document list would be of particular use.
• Jameson Jenkins - Lincoln Home National Historic Site:: https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/jenkins.htm The National Park Service has a biography of Jenkins, which likely includes accounts of this significant incident in his life.