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Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) General orders no. 139.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01024 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Printed document Date: 24 September 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 18.2 x 12.3 cm.

Summary of Content: Preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation published for the Army War Department printing, removed from a compilation of general orders. Paginated 117-120. "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, Shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free..." Beginning on Page 120 but not complete is General Orders No. 140, order respecting Special Provost Marshals and defining their duties. Printed circa 1863.

Background Information: The preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was first read in July 1862; however, it was not issued and signed by President Abraham Lincoln until 22 September 1862, after the Battle of Antietam. On 1 January 1863 the ...Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln, freeing all enslaved people upon Union military victory in states that had seceded from the Union and were not under Northern control. This factor is important because it shows that the Proclamation did not touch on slavery in loyal Border States.See More

People: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Subjects: PresidentEmancipationEmancipation ProclamationPresidential Speeches and ProclamationsAfrican American HistorySlaveryCivil WarMilitary HistoryConfederate States of AmericaUnion ForcesGovernment and Civics

Sub Era: The American Civil War

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