11, Hunter began enlisting black soldiers from the occupied districts of South Carolina and formed the first such Union Army regiment, the 1st South Carolina (African Descent),which he was initially ordered to disband, but eventually got approval from Congress for his action. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible the persons in these three States - Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina- heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free."Īfter General Order No. This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. "The three States of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, comprising the military department of the south, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it becomes a military necessity to declare them under martial law. of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C. 11, emancipating the slaves in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Hunter, a strong advocate of arming blacks as soldiers for the Union cause, issued General Order No. Union troops opened fire on Fort Pulaski on April 10, 1862, and within 30 hours had forced the surrender of the massive fortress.Īs the Commander of the Department of the South, Hunter made a pronouncement that caused controversy across the United States. Hunter sent a flag of truce to the fort that was immediately ignored. Preparations to retake Fort Pulaski in the Savannah River from Confederates were already underway. Hunter arrived at Hilton Head, South Carolina, in March 1862. That winter he was transferred to command the Department of Kansas and in March 1862 was transferred again to command the Department of the South. Fremont and was appointed as commander of the Western Department on Novemafter Frémont was relieved of command. He served as a division commander in the Western Army under Maj. In August he was promoted Major General of volunteers. Hunter was wounded in the neck and cheek while commanding a division under Irvin McDowell at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861. Cavalry, but three days later, May 17, 1861,his political connection to the Lincoln administration bore fruit and he was appointed the fourth-ranking Brigadier General of volunteers, commanding a brigade in the Department of Washington. Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, Hunter was promoted to Colonel of the 3rd U.S.
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