For A Century, The First Underground Railroad Ran Slaves South To Florida (PHOTOS)

For A Century, The First Underground Railroad Ran Slaves South To Florida (PHOTOS)

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- While most Americans are familiar with the Underground Railroad that helped Southern slaves escape north before the Civil War, the first clandestine path to freedom ran for more than a century in the opposite direction.

Stories of that lesser-known "railroad" will be shared June 20-24 at the National Underground Railroad Conference in St. Augustine, Fla. The network of sympathizers gave refuge to those fleeing their masters, including many American Indians who helped slaves escape to what was then the Spanish territory of Florida. That lasted from shortly after the founding of Carolina Colony in 1670 to after the American Revolution.

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For A Century, The First Underground Railroad Ran Slaves South To Florida (PHOTOS)
The Huffington Post News Editors
Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:22:43 GMT