NATCHEZ, Miss. - The city of Natchez was once the site of one of the largest slave trade markets in America.
Natchez Cultural Heritage Tourism Manager Rosco Barnes was emotional as he talked about the tens of thousands of men and women and children who were taken here against their will and purchased to work as slaves in homes and on plantations. “This place that I’m standing on, it’s such an important aspect to our history here in Natchez. This is where thousands of slaves ended their journey as they were transported in shackles on foot across this country from as far away as Alexandria, Virginia, and other points and marched here to Natchez to be sold at the Forks of the Road.
“The troops tore those buildings down and used the lumber to build Barracks for Fort McPherson, so there is a lot of history involved,” said. Chairman of U.S. Colored Troops Monument project Robert Pernell.