may 24, 1861 - Escaped slaves declared as "contraband"
Description:
General Benjamin Butler at Fort Monroe, Virginia, declared escaped slaves “contraband” of war and refused to return them to slaveholders. On August 6, Congress passed the First Confiscation Act, which empowered Union officers to confiscate slaves being used against the Union.Added to timeline:
Date:
may 24, 1861
Now
~ 163 years ago
