13th Amendment Passes

This Civil War-era scene shows the confusion and range of emotions as citizens learn of the passing of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution that outlawed slavery in the United States and wherever it has jurisdiction. You can see that many of the whites aren't happy about the news, but the black slave just outside of the immediate circle is overjoyed. However, slaves further in the background can't hear (and might not be able to read it) and thus look more apprehensive and inquisitive.