Mr. Forest is right about the Emancipation of Proclamation: Lincoln was not a position to positively free the slaves. However, by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, thousands and thousands of African-Americans were able to emancipate themselves, fleeing bondage and making there way to the safety of federal lines. This may have been part of Lincoln's intent; by encouraging slaves to free themselves, Confederate military strength was diverted from the front lines to the home front. >>> Basil Forest <[log in to unmask]> 02/14/07 David Kiracofe David Kiracofe History Tidewater Community College Chesapeake Campus 1428 Cedar Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 757-822-5136 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html