Slaves, contrabands, and freedmen : union policy in the civil war / by CDR Michelle J. Howard, USN.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Howard USN, CDR Michelle J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Slavery--United States.

Slavery.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (108 pages)

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] : Pickle Partners Publishing, 2014.

Summary:

This study examines Union slave policy in the Civil War. Prior to the initiation of hostilities, President Abraham Lincoln stated that the conflict between the states was over the preservation of the Union, and not over slavery. The administration was concerned that a war policy centered on slavery would result in the loss of the Border States. The war started without a slave policy promulgated from the administration to the War Department.By May of 1861, fugitive slaves had entered Union lines and were retained by military commanders as "Contraband of War." The Union employed over 200, 000 fugitive slaves before the war ended. Military commanders were forced to create slave policy to handle overwhelming numbers of runaway slaves. Local military policy impacted the administration's agenda. In response, the administration would variously support, dismiss, or ignore the commanders. As the war progressed, Union slave policy caused conflict within and outside the military chain of command.As the conflicts became publicized, President Lincoln created or agreed to slavery policies that conformed to changing congressional and public opinion. The administration had been forced to deal with the issue it had sought to avoid. Military decisions in the field had impacted national goals.

Contents:

Intro

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER TWO - SLAVES AS CONTRABAND OF WAR

CHAPTER THREE - THE COMMANDERS TAKE CHARGE

CHAPTER FOUR - COMMANDERS AND THE CONFLICT OF POLITICS

CHAPTER FIVE - FIELDS OF COTTON OR FIELDS OF FIRE?

CHAPTER SIX - THE ROAD TO RECONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER SEVEN - CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Articles

Books

Government Documents

Periodicals.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781782899396

1782899391