"And the millions of black people who remained at home, working in agriculture and industry, rather than run away or revolt were just as valuable to the Confederacy as the loyal white citizens."
Joe, you are absolutely right. Horace King is one example, he was a master bridge builder, once a slave he was freed and was greatly sought after to build bridges, and other structures. He cut timber for the Confederacy, and build a Naval yard in Columbus. He built the first bridge across the Chattahoochee River, later building a bridge, at what is now Whitesburg, Ga, connecting Newnan to Carrollton. He settled there just to have the Federals burn his home in 1864. He built bridges throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
He had every opportunity to run away, be he chose to stay. But certain stories would lead you to believe that all slaves ran away, and l am sure some did, but for every one that ran there were probably 100+ that stayed, free or not free. There are more stories about the slaves or former slaves staying during the war and after than there are about them running.