The Civil War in America
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After accepting three fugitive slaves into Union lines at Fortress Monroe, General Butler wrote to General-in-Chief Winfield Scott for approval of his action, noting that if the Confederates used slave labor to aid their war effort, should “we not be allowed its use in aid of the United States?” Scott and Secretary of War Simon Cameron agreed with Butler. Cameron wrote to Butler, approving the use of “contraband” labor. In May 1861, the Civil War was still a war of “confiscation,” not “emancipation.”

(Transcription)

Your action in respect to the negroes . . .


After accepting three fugitive slaves into Union lines at Fortress Monroe, General Butler wrote to General-in-Chief Winfield Scott for approval of his action, noting that if the Confederates used slave labor to aid their war effort, should “we not be allowed its use in aid of the United States?” Scott and Secretary of War Simon Cameron agreed with Butler. Cameron wrote to Butler, approving the use of “contraband” labor. In May 1861, the Civil War was still a war of “confiscation,” not “emancipation.”