Existing comment:
Emancipation Proclamation
On September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln declared all slaves in areas not returned to federal control by January 1, 1863, "then, thenceforward, and forever free." His Emancipation Proclamation exempted areas occupied by Union forces and the forty-eight counties forming West Virginia. The transformation of war aims to include ending slavery encouraged more slaves to escape to Union lines and enlist in the federal army.
Black enlistment in Union armies began in July 1862; ultimately 200,000 black men served. The vast majority were former slaves. |