Slave catchers

Slave catchers were individuals or groups responsible for locating, capturing, and returning escaped enslaved people to their owners in the United States before the Civil War. They operated primarily in the South and border states, using tactics like tracking by personal knowledge, informants, or even kidnapping. Their role supported the system of slavery by enforcing laws like the Fugitive Slave Act, which mandated the return of runaway slaves and penalized those assisting them. Slave catchers contributed to a climate of fear and oppression, making escape dangerous and difficult for enslaved individuals seeking freedom.