The Civil War News & Views Open Discussion Forum

August 30, 2011

On this date 150 years ago, General John Fremont in an action that Lincoln later termed "dictatorial", declared martial law throughout Missouri. In an unauthorized act, Fremont allowed for the confiscation of property belonging to "those who shall take up arms against the United States", and also made an emancipation proclamation concerning slaves of pro-Southerners; "their slaves...are hereby declared free men." In defense of this extremely unpopular move, Fremont explained that Missouri suffered from "helplessness of civil authority and total insecurity of life."

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August 30, 2011
Re: Lincoln on August 30, 2011