Through Underground Railroad, some traveled by boat or train, but most went on foot or by wagon in groups of one to three slaves. However, some groups were larger. Abolitionist Charles Turner Torrey and his colleagues rented horses and wagons, often transporting as many as twenty slaves at a time.
Most routes were made to confuse pursuers by being purposely indirect. Most escapes were done in small groups, but sometimes there were mass escapes, like the Pearl incident, which was the largest recorded nonviolent slave escape attempt in the United Slaves, containing 77 slaves. The journey was considered particularly difficult and dangerous for women and children, who were sometimes hard to keep quiet or unable to keep up with the group. In addition, female slaves were rarely allowed to leave the plantation, making escape harder. However, some, like Harriet Tubman, still managed to escape. Because of the risk of discovery, all information was passed by word of mouth. |