Contrabands of War

Contrabands of war were escaped slaves that fled to Union camps after the Union had moved into the southern states. Many slaves were returned to their masters because the war was not yet over and slavery was not yet made illegal meaning these people were still technically the private property of American citizens. However, many escaped slaves were permitted to stay at the camp and were used mostly for manual labor. They used the word “contraband” as a term to show that they were taking these people away from southerners as an act of war and using them as a resource against their enemies. Many of the “Contrabands of war” proved to be very useful and effective. Calling them contraband, however, still refers to them as property and makes it seem like they are being treated as less than human all over again.

Soon these escaped slaves started setting up camps of their own near the union camps and soldiers began educating adult and children. In 1863 the government began enlisting African Americans as soldiers, and many of these contrabands of war enlisted in the United States Colored Troops. By the end of the war, more than one hundred of these camps existed in Union patrolled areas of the south including one on Roanoke Island where more than 3000 former slaves established a self-sustaining community.

Alfred R. Waud. Contrabands Coming into Camp. Drawing. Chinese white on brown paper. Published in Harper's Weekly, January 31, 1863. Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-6173/LC-USZ62-14189 (4-1)

Timothy O'Sullivan. Fugitive African Americans Fording the Rappahannock River. Rappahannock, Virginia, August 1862. Copyprint. Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Number: LC-B8171-518 (4-4)

Contrabands, Camp Brightwood.
Washington, D.C., ca. 1863. Carte de visite.
Gladstone Collection, Prints and Photographs Division.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-6158 (4-9)

 

Fighting For Freedom

Christian A. Fleetwood was one of fourteen black soldiers who fought in the Civil War and received a Congressional Medal of Honor for his service. Details of his actions that led to him earning that medal can be found in his journal he kept during his time at war. His journal also includes details about President Lincoln visiting the front lines in 1864.

Many African American troops did not see nearly as much action as they wanted to because much of the time they were used for manual labor supporting the white regiments. However they still participated in many skirmishes and major battles. When wounded in battle they were often treated in areas where supplies were stored instead of being allowed to rest next to wounded white soldiers. Even though they had a hard time getting the pay they were promised and that pay was less than what a white soldier received, these black troops still displayed great loyalty to the Union Army and the cause. Their actions also went underappreciate as only white soldiers received promotions to high ranking positions despite the commendable performances of many black soldiers.

There were also thousands of soldiers that served at sea in the navy during the Civil War. The most famous was named Robert Smalls. He was able to take over a Confederate ship and sail back into Union territory becoming captain of that vessel. He was later elected as a Reconstruction Congressman.

In 1862 the United States government abolished slavery in Washington D.C. with the Emancipation Act. Slave owners were compensated with $300 for each slave they were forced to set free. On the fourth anniversary of the holiday which became known as Emancipation Day, over 5,000 African Americans marched past over 10,000 sheering spectators into Franklin Square where the parade was concluded with ceremonial services. Soon after, the Emancipation Proclamation was passed and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared forever free, even though during the slavery era of this country, free blacks were already forming communites and owned homes and businesses.

First African Church, Broad Street.
Richmond, Virginia, 1865.
Copyprint.
Prints and Photographs Division.
Reproduction Number: LC-B8171-3368 (4-3)

F. Deilman.
Celebration of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, by the colored people in Washington, April 19, 1866.
Wood engraving.
From Harper's Weekly, May 12, 1866. Copyprint.
Prints and Photographs Division.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-33937 (4-11)

Unidentified sailor.
Carte de visite.
Gladstone Collection, Prints and Photographs Division.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-6159 (4-10)

Wounded Colored Troops at Aikens Landing.
Stereograph.
Gladstone Collection, Prints and Photographs Division.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-6157 (4-8)