The Prohibitive Act of 1862

By Crusader1307

Actually called “The Act Prohibiting The Return of Slaves”, it was passed by US Congress in 1862. The Act stated that Army Commanders could NOT return Slaves to a state of Slavery and had to further make arrangements to care and or remove them from “hostile” areas. This created even more issues that it's preceding Law (The Confiscation Act of 1861) – did. In many cases, Commanders began to use ex-Slaves “as Slaves” by having them dig fortifications and performing other “soldierly Duties”. The ex-Slaves were NOT paid (which Congress was not pleased at – but did not regulate). By 1863, and the official authorization of Blacks being allowed to serve as “paid” soldiers – The Act was dissolved.