As I cited in the opening page of this website, the image of Osman, Guardian of the Great Dismal Swamp Maroons, was published in 1856 by Harper’s Weekly. Rumors of communities of escaped slaves reached the editor of that magazine, and a writer was dispatched to learn about whether the stories were true or not. Reaching the outskirts of the Great Dismal, local authorities discouraged the writer from entering the swamp with warnings of imminent danger. This was a common tactic of authorities who supported slavery, not wanting others to understand how many self-liberated slaves called the swamp home. They especially warned of avoiding Osman, whom they called the Protector of the Swamp .
Undaunted, the writer had an assignment and tentatively entered the swamp. As fate would have it, soon the man from New York did meet Osman. With knocking knees, the writer repeatedly attempted to explain his assignment to tell the story of the residents. No matter what the outsider said, Osman remained stoically silent. Then, as Osman slowly lifted his musket to point at the intruder, the writer chose discretion and fled the swamp without a story. On the journey back north, this sketch was drawn.
While some fugitive slaves lived near the edge of the Great Dismal and risked capture, a significant portion of the self-liberated chose to live deep in the swamp. Their priority was to keep their communities hidden and inaccessible. To minimize the risk of recapture, avoidance with white society was a priority.