A WAR TO FREE SLAVES...?


 Union General Fremont was relieved of his command and his order, to emancipate slaves in Missouri, revoked by President Lincoln on September 11, 1861.  

Fremont declared martial law and proclaimed freedom for all slaves in Missouri. In doing so, he placed President Abraham Lincoln's administration in a difficult position. Lincoln was trying to keep the border states (Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri) from seceding from the Union. Fremont's actions in Missouri fueled secessionist spirit and alienated many Northerners who were UNWILLING to wage a war to end slavery.

Likewise, General Hunter’s emancipation order for Georgia, Florida and South Carolina was also rescinded by the president in 1862 when he writes, 

“I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, proclaim and declare, that the government of the United States, had no knowledge, information, or belief, of an intention on the part of General Hunter to issue such a proclamation… And further, that neither General Hunter, nor any other commander, or person, has been authorized by the Government of the United States, to make proclamations declaring the slaves of any State free… and that the supposed proclamation, now in question, is altogether void.”