17.3 (p.496-499)

A Promise of Freedom

“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.”

—Abraham Lincoln, August 22, 1862,quoted in Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln

1) stated goal was to preserve the Union2) 4 slave states stayed in the Union; could not lose MD

Jan. 1, 1863:

Lincoln’s statement that freed slaves in the Confederacy; to

weaken CONF war effort

only slaves in areas UNDER REBELLION were free

“I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of

States, are, and henceforward shall be free…”

favorable; European nations would be more likely to support

the UNION

slowing down & stopping work; escaping to Union army camps

[DID weaken CONF ability to wage war]

1) wanted to fight for freedom of slaves2) wanted to show bravery & courage

all-Black unit: former slaves, runaways, free blacks [movie: “GLORY”]

CONF fort (Charleston, SC); white units had failed to take it; 54th MA attacked

showed great courage under fire; great numbers of casualtiesproved that Black men made excellent & brave soldiers