Stern lectures for the logically-challenged. Others have opinions, I have convictions.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
This Day in Republican History 07/17/05
July 17, 1862
Over UNANIMOUS Democrat opposition, Republican Congress passes Confiscation Act, stating that slaves of the Confederacy “shall be forever free”
The Confiscation Act contained the first definite provisions for emancipating slaves in the rebellious states.
Under the act, Confederates who did not surrender within 60 days of the act's passage were to be punished by having their slaves freed. The act also dealt with a problem that plagued field commanders occupying Southern territory. As troops advanced, slaves sought refuge in Union camps, and Federal commanders were confused over their obligations to the refugees. Some freed the slaves, others sent them back to their masters for lack of means to care for them. The Confiscation Act of 1862 declared all slaves taking refuge behind Union lines captives of war who were to be set free.
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