A question has come up in in our community regarding the observance of the 150th anniversary of the War for Southern Independence. The question is what is the proper term to call the southern slaves that were liberated by the union army and held in camps especially along the Mississippi River.

Historically in almost all reports by both sides in the O.R.'s they are referred to as "Contriband". But some are arguing that they should be called "Freedmen".

Both of these terms are "legal" definitions and carry a different legal meaning. So which is proper? When did a Contriband became a Freedman? What about the U.S.C.T.'s? Were they freedmen or not?

My personal opinion is that these ex-slaves did not truely become "Freedmen" until the ratification of the 13th amendment in December 1865. That the term "Contriband" reflects a period of the history of the blacks freedom trails experiences that covers the period from when they ceased to be slaves of their formers masters, but were still property to be used.

And then you have the misnomer of the "Freedmen's Bureau."