Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division [LC-USZC4-2524]

Henry Louis Stephens (1824-1882). The Lash, ca. 1863. Color lithograph.

Slaveowners and overseers everywhere used whipping. It was by far the most frequent form of punishment. It was not uncommon for men, women and even children to be severely scarred from the whip and these scars were often used to describe runaways.