The Internal Enemy

The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia 1772-1832 by Alan Taylor. In September 1813, British warships arrived off the Chesapeake Bay, bringing with them an unexpected opportunity for hundreds of enslaved individuals to escape their bondage. Over several nights, these slaves paddled out to the ships, seeking protection from the brutal realities of slavery and the ravages of war. As guides, pilots, sailors, and marines, they played a crucial role in transforming the conflict, enabling the British to escalate their onshore attacks and capture Washington, D.C. The impact of this event was profound, revealing the deep-seated fears of Chesapeake slaveholders who had long viewed their slaves as an "internal enemy." The war ignited a sense of disunion among Virginians, who began to turn south in pursuit of their interests. This shift in allegiance would ultimately contribute to the nation's greatest crisis: the threat of secession. This Pulitzer Prize-winning history offers a searing account of slavery and freedom in the Chesapeake region during a pivotal moment in American history.