During the Civil War, fugitive slaves in Union Army camps were referred to as 'contraband of war'. General Benjamin F. Butler played a significant role in justifying the seizing of runaway slaves using this term, highlighting the complexities of wartime dynamics and evolving attitudes towards slavery.
In the context of fugitive slaves arriving in Union Army camps during the Civil War, they were referred to as contraband of war. This term was coined by General Benjamin F. Butler, who justified seizing runaway slaves as a wartime necessity, comparing them to other confiscated enemy property like horses or cannons.
As more slaves sought refuge with the Union forces, the government had to establish a standardized policy to address the issue of runaway slaves. These contrabands played crucial roles in supporting the Union cause through labor and providing valuable information about Confederate activities.
The concept of contraband reflects the complexities of wartime dynamics, the legal status of escaped slaves, and the evolving attitudes towards slavery during the Civil War period.
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