Harper's Weekly Text
April 2, 1864,
pp. 214 (1-3)-215 (1-3)
Synopsis
The
straitened master of Tippoo Saib, a kind-hearted slave, finds he
cannot contribute, from among his own hands, a laborer to work on
Confederate fortifications. To raise money for a substitute
laborer, the master sells Tippoo’s wife and children. After the
sale, the master leaves for battle. The kitchen slave tells
Tippoo that she plans to escape that night, and that he can join
her. Not wanting to leave his sick mistress and her daughter
alone, Tippoo refuses to go. The next day, the mistress dies and
Tippoo has another chance to escape. Instead, he takes the young
daughter to her uncle. Tippoo becomes the property of the uncle,
who sends him to build Confederate fortifications on Roanoke
Island. Tippoo later captures the uncle, who is a Confederate
captain, and turns him over to federal forces. Tippoo then lives
as a freeman in Massachusetts until the call goes out for black
troops. Joining the 54th Massachusetts, Tippoo is part
of the charge on Battery (Fort) Wagner. There, he meets his old
master in battle. Remembering the young daughter, Tippoo cannot
bring himself to shoot his former master. As he turns his back,
Tippoo is shot and killed by the master, who shares none of his
former slave’s nostalgic attachments. |
History:
"The Attack on Fort Wagner"
August 8, 1863,
p. 510 (1-2)
Illustrations:
"The Attack on Fort Wagner—The Stormers
Advancing Under Fire"
August 8, 1863,
p. 509
Military Background:
"Late Colonel Shaw"
August 15, 1863,
p. 526 (1-2)
Illustrations:
Portrait of Robert G. Shaw
August 15, 1863,
p. 525 (3-4)
Illustrations:
"Teaching the Negro Recruits the Use of the Minie Rifle"
March 14, 1863,
p. 161(1-4)
"A Negro Regiment in Action"
March 14, 1863,
pp. 168 (1-4)-169
(1-4)
"The
Attack on Fort Wagner—The Stormers
Advancing Under Fire"
August 8, 1863,
p. 509 (1-4)
Commentary:
"Our Duty in Reorganization"
June 24, 1865,
p. 387 (1-2)
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