may 1, 1861 - General Butler declares refugee slaves "contraband of war," refusing to return them

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3 enslaved men reached Union General Benjamin Butler in Virginia.

contraband of war- enemy property that can be legitimately seized, according to international law

-butler turned logic of "human property" against the south.

-thousands of "contraband" camped in union armies. they were oftentimes cramped together and many died from smallpox and dysentery. They wanted to give them legal status->Confiscation act

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