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Turner's Rebellion in Virginia 1831

[also called Southampton Insurrection]

Nat Turner, a literate and pious black slave, came to believe he was divinely chosen to lead his people out of bondage in Southampton County, Virginia. On August 21-23, 1831, he and about 75 followers went on a bloody rampage in the county, slaughtering 55 white persons (including Turner's master Joseph Travis [d. 1831], and his family), and terrorized the Tidewater area. Soldiers from Fort Monroe and sailors from the navy were sent in to quell the rebellion. The blacks were dispersed; some were killed or captured. Turner escaped to the woods but was caught after a six-week manhunt and hanged along with 20 of his followers. The violence of the revolt caused the southern states to take sterner measures against slaves and to tighten their fugitive slave laws.
Last Update: December 16, 2000

Armed Conflict Events Database

Armed Conflict Events Data (ACED) is an research project providing independent information about known wars, international disputes, civil wars, rebellions, coups, revolutions, genocides and other violent conflicts. ACED has been online since December 2000. Various partial revisions and modifications have been implemented since then, however, the limitations of the this format hamper further development. During 2005, the decision was made to radically restructure the available conflict information into a database. The new Armed Conflict Events Database (ACEDb) will substantially increase the utility of available conflict data for students of military history. As well, it will offer expanded opportunities to add and edit records of conflict. Existing research material will be maintained in its present form but no revisions are planned. More news about the development of ACEDb may be found at News About the Armed Conflict Events Database. Feedback is welcome.