Turner, Nat

A black slave of the early nineteenth century, who led the only effective and sustained slave revolt in American history. He and his supporters killed several dozen white people in Virginia before he was captured; he was hanged in 1831. Although Turner's rebellion led to a severe reaction among the slaveholders, it demonstrated that not all slaves were willing to accept their condition passively.

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Was it the fear of Nat Turner and his deluded drunken handful of followers, which produced such effects?

Nat Turner himself assumed the title of General Cargill with a stipend of ten dollars a day.

Half of the whites beat a precipitate retreat when Nat Turner ordered his men to fire and rush on them.

Believing that Nat Turner's insurrection was a general conspiracy, the people throughout the State were highly excited.

Nat Turner was a man below the ordinary stature, though strong and active.

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