Contraband was a term commonly used in the United States military during the American Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped slaves or those who affiliated with Union forces. The Army (and the United States Congress) determined that the US would not return escaped slaves who went to Union lines and classified them as contraband. They used many as laborers to support Union efforts and soon began to pay them wages. The former slaves set up camps near Union forces, and the Army helped support and educate both adults and children among the refugees. Thousands of men from these camps enlisted in the United States Colored Troops when recruitment started in 1863. At war's end, more than 100 contraband camps existed in the South, including the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island, where 3500 former slaves worked to develop a self-sufficient community.
The status of southern-owned slaves after Confederate states had engaged in the American Civil War became an issue early in 1861, not long after hostilities began. At Fort Monroe in Virginia's Hampton Roads, Major General Benjamin Butler, commander, learned that three slaves had made their way across Hampton Roads harbor from Confederate-occupied Norfolk County, and presented themselves at Union-held Fort Monroe. General Butler refused to return the escaped slaves to slaveholders who supported the Confederacy. This amounted to classifying them as "contraband," although the first use of that terminology in military records appears to have been by another officer.
Story of the Contraband Slaves
During the American Civil War, he served as a major general in the Union Army. His policies regarding slaves as contraband so they could be treated as free men, his administration of occupied New Orleans, his ineffectual leadership in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, and the fiasco of Fort Fisher rank him as one of the most controversial political generals of the war. Butler was the first Union General to declare runaway Virginia slaves "contraband of war."
Cartoon of Fort Monroe Virginia depicting slaves rushing to the Union held fort for escape during the American Civil War.
Civil War CDV of Gordon (slave) upon arrival at the Baton Rouge Union camp. Verso inked inscription "Contraband that marched 40 miles to get to our lines." Gordon had a scourged back as he entered our lines.
During the American Civil War, he served as a major general in the Union Army. His policies regarding slaves as contraband so they could be treated as free men, his administration of occupied New Orleans, his ineffectual leadership in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, and the fiasco of Fort Fisher rank him as one of the most controversial political generals of the war. Butler was the first Union General to declare runaway Virginia slaves "contraband of war."
Jeff Drifmeyer, Williamsburg, Virginia historian, and author of "Civil War Comes Home," is available to speak about the Story of the Contraband Slaves or other topics of interest about the Civil War. The Story of the Contraband Slaves has been researched and prepared for delivery to a variety of audiences, as young as middle school, but can easily be tailored for an adult only audience. Jeff will make a presentation and answer questions about the speaking topic. To set up an engagement, please call Karen Williams, Publicist 757-744-9648, or email: karenwilliamsmarketing@gmail.com. Email is preferred.