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I am working on a book which I have described at https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=318660, Lincoln Survives Assassination. I am about to begin writing a series of scenes where the protagonist and his father's four household slaves journey north from Taylor County, Georgia. They go by road from the family plantation to the port of Savannah where they board a boat. This is in the Spring of 1861, after the seizure of Fort Pulaski but before the bombardment of Fort Sumter in early April, 1861. I have been to Fort's Pulaski and Old Fort Jackson many times and have it worked out in the plot how they avoid delay while passing by them, assuming that outbound river traffic was being inspected or that a young man traveling with household servants would raise enough suspicion to have them detained. I have to do some further research on my own on the extent to which Josiah Tattnall's "Mosquito Fleet" was operating on the Savannah during this time period.

So my question is, if anyone has done extensive on the underground railroad and could enlighten me a bit as to how this situation might realistically play out.

For further background, I intend to have them arrive by ship at the port of New York where they are smuggled to Auburn, New York. In Auburn, they are sheltered at the home of William Seward. And yes, it is a historical fact that Seward's home was a stop on the underground railroad. Harriett Tubman also lied in Auburn. I have to look further to see which of them were actually in Auburn during this time period in order to bring them into the plot though the presence of Frederick Seward or his wife would be enough. The ultimate destination is Canada.

So I will address some obvious plot flaws and note a few things I have learned in various places without having done any in depth research.

First, it begs the question as to why I would have the fugitives enter the port of New York when they are on a sea born ship and headed to Canada. Weather? Canada is not on the itinerary? I thought of having the fugitives sail first to Nassau or Bermuda where they could board a UK flagged vessel but this makes entry into the Port of New York more implausible. I need them to go there in order to develop the plot and bring in important characters.

Frederick Douglas escaped from servitude in Maryland with false papers that he borrowed from someone else. I wonder how common the use of false documents were for runaways at this time or if they would be required for slaves who were traveling with an ostensible master.

Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth Church in Brooklyn was a stop on the underground railroad.

My book will take the reader on a historical tour of these places. I intend to return to Forts Pulaski and Jackson and to visit Plymouth Church and Auburn to speak to the historians and view the venues.

So suggestions, if anyone has any specialized knowledge, on how this scenario might play out. They will be greatly appreciated. Cheers.
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