Lost Civil War History: Northern Virginia Contraband Camps
Special | 3m 41s
Civil War blogger Ron Baumgarten discusses a often-forgotten aspect of Civil War history.
During the Civil War, thousands of slaves made their way to Washington, D.C. As the city became overcrowded, the federal government created camps on abandoned secessionist lands in northern Virginia. There "contrabands" were paid to farm crops for the Union army and given access to education -- an important step in the transition from bondage to freedom.
WETA Digital Extras is a local public television program presented by WETA
Lost Civil War History: Northern Virginia Contraband Camps
Special | 3m 41s
During the Civil War, thousands of slaves made their way to Washington, D.C. As the city became overcrowded, the federal government created camps on abandoned secessionist lands in northern Virginia. There "contrabands" were paid to farm crops for the Union army and given access to education -- an important step in the transition from bondage to freedom.
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