Brevet Major General David Hunter, commanding the compulsory Union Department of the South—without presidential approval—issues General Order 11, declaring, “slavery and martial law in a free country are incompatible.”  Thus freeing all slaves (conscripts), in occupied areas of the Independent Republic of South Carolina.  This act is tantamount to the abolition of slavery by military authority.

       Postscript: Once Commander-in-Chief Lincoln learned of this order, he immediately ordered Hunter to rescind his proclamation, for fear the “Border States,” (Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri) would join the Confederate States.  Seven months later would free all slaves in the Confederacy that were NOT under Union occupation.

       [updated 2/15/2025]