"The slaves who were owned by those in the Union or lived in Union leaning areas were bought at the price of $300 for service in the Army and their family freed. Were any of these families given money to exist on after they were free and the soldier was away?"

If they could get them to a Freedmans office. The $300 dollars was also given to those in ex-Confederate areas, could prove loyalty to the Union, like occupied Tennessee.

"IF, a slave of a Unionist tried to enlist but the owner objected, if I read this right, they were returned to the owner? So they were still enslaved?"

Yes

"Those who were in the South were 'conscripted' so there was no 'sale' to the Union Army. Could this be considered theft? Going around the argument that the Union was at war with the South and did what they wanted, in any other case, would this be considered theft?"

Oh yes, they called it recruiting drives or impressment but of course they all went volunterally.

__________________________
David Upton