RECORDS OF THE SLAVE CLAIMS COMMISSIONS, 1864-1867 Volume Three:
Journal of the First Maryland Commission From the Introduction:
Throughout the U. S. Civil War, from its beginning in 1861
through the end in 1865, the United States government attempted
to end slavery as a way of weakening the Confederacy and ending
the War. Among other options, President Abraham Lincoln
supported the idea of “compensated emancipation,” whereby the
federal government would pay slave owners for each slave that
was freed. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General, issued
General Order 329, by order of the President, on 3 October 1863.
The Orders began, “Whereas, the exigencies of the war require
that colored troops should be recruited in the States of
Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee,” and further ordered that
recruiting stations should be established within these three
states for recruitment under certain provisions. Among these
provisions were the following: 4. Free persons, and slaves with
the written consent of their owners