On this day in 1862, the United States Congress authorized the annulment of the Fugitive Slave Acts, abolished slavery in the western territories, and gave President Lincoln the power to allow formerly enslaved to enlist in the Union Army. The effectiveness of these measures against the Confederate war effort convinced the Republicans to pressure Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation six months later.
On this day in 1865, the people of Galveston, Texas, first heard that they had indeed been free since that date in 1863 by the Emancipation Proclamation. Union Major Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 that proclaimed freedom from slavery. There was a major celebration, now popularly called Juneteenth.
Texas Emancipation Proclamation
General Order No. 3
HEAD-QUARTERS, DISTRICT OF TEXAS Galveston, Texas June 19, 1865
The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with the proclamation from the executive of the United States. All slaves are free. This involves absolute personal rights, and rights of property between former masters and slaves; and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.
The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts, and that they will not be supported in idleness either here or elsewhere.
by order of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger signed F.W. Emery Major & A.A.G.
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