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.
Aired: 04/06/15
