Abstract:
In 1862, Union troops occupied much of eastern North Carolina north of the Cape Fear River, and over 10,000 escaping slaves crossed their lines to freedom by spring. Many of the freed slaves joined the four North Carolina African American Union regiments. Others worked for the Army as teamsters, scouts, spies, cooks, and laundresses. When the war ended, the Freedman's Bureau replaced the Army as provider of care, welfare, and education to former slaves.