This picture here shows a former African American slave called Gordon or "Whipped Peter"–HISTORY
This picture here shows a former African American slave called Gordon or "Whipped Peter" Gordon, the man who never gave up on freedom, 1863 - This picture here shows a former African American slave called Gordon or "Whipped Peter" and the extent of the brutal whippings he received during his time as a slave. The picture is known as "The Scourged Back" and it became one of the most important and recognisable pieces of Union material during the American civil war. It exposed the physical injuries slaves often received while being held prisoners. It inspired the populations of the Union in the civil war to continue the fight, and to aim to end slavery, which had become a stain on American society. Gordon escaped John and Bridget Lyons cotton plantation in Louisiana in 1860. The plantation had about 40 slaves in total at the time of Gordon's run for freedom. He was chased after by bloodhounds but confused them by rubbing his body with onions that h...