Louisiana and Massachusetts “Despite the service of black soldiers in the Revolution and the War of 1812, Negroes had been barred from state militias since 1792 and the regular army had never enrolled black soldiers. The prejudices of the old order died hard. Lincoln had…” Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Pay and Promotion Historian Marvin Cain wrote: “The Negro troops so enlisted were not given a bounty, but instead received only laborer’s pay, thus serving for $6 a month less than white soldiers. Angered by this discrimination…” Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Cameron’s Report Secretary of War Simon Cameron became radicalized on the issue of emancipation during the fall of 1861. Perhaps he merely became political. Cameron accompanied Congressman John Cochrane on a New England speaking tour in which… Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Black Soldiers Historian Susan-Mary Grant wrote “that when hostilities commenced between North and South in 1861 blacks throughout the North, and some in the South too, sought to enlist. However, free blacks in the North who sought to…” Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Freedom Videos Mr. Lincoln finally determined that he needed to use his war powers to abolish slavery in areas the Union army did not control. The decision was often ridiculed but had a dramatic effect on the slaves behind Confederate lines. Historian Edna Greene Medford wrote: “In those areas of the South…” Abraham Lincoln and […]

Impact of Proclamation Not everyone recognized his courage. In a speech on the House floor, Kentucky Congressman Robert Mallory alleged that President Lincoln had caved into the demands of Republican Radicals such as Pennsylvania’s Thaddeus Stevens: “Soon after the War broke out…” Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Final Proclamation: January 1, 1863 “Thursday, January 1, 1863, was a bright crisp day in the nation’s capital. The previous day had been a strenuous one for the President, but New Year’s Day was to be even more strenuous. So he rose early. There was much to do, not the least of which was to…” […]

Preparation for Final Proclamation Pressure grew on President Lincoln during December 1862. Two Washingtonians, Dr. Byron Sunderland and Zenas. S. Robbins, visited Mr. Lincoln to lobby for emancipation on the Sunday before the final… Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

International Reaction After the draft emancipation proclamation was released in September 1862, New York Evening Post Editor William Cullen Bryant editorialized: “It puts us right before Europe…It brings back our traditions; it animates our…” Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >

Military Necessity President Lincoln was clear that there were measures he could constitutionally take as the Union’s commander-in-chief that could not constitutionally be taken by Congress. His actions on emancipation were motivated by… Abraham Lincoln and Freedom >