Perhaps you need to read the thread on Emancipation Day in Virginia previously on VA-Hist. Apparently African Americans in Norfolk thought it freed them, since they celebrated that freedom on 1 January 1863. Likewise the many Virginians from the Confederate States who joined the USCT forces from 1863 forward. Gregg Kimball -----Original Message----- From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Basil Forest Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 4:25 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Long memories Lincoln's so-called Emancipation Proclamation didn't free a single slave. To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html