Final answer:
Union General Benjamin Butler offered sanctuary to fugitive slaves during the Civil War by declaring them 'contraband of war,' which was later supported by the First Confiscation Act. These escaped slaves lived in 'contraband camps' with hard living conditions but contributed to the Union war effort. Women played significant support roles, from care for the sick to advocacy for the Union cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
Union General Benjamin Butler is recognized for his strategic approach during the Civil War, particularly about fugitive slaves. In May 1861, at Fortress Monroe in Virginia, Butler began accepting fugitive slaves who sought refuge with Union forces. Avoiding directly addressing the slaves' legal status, Butler coined the term "contraband of war" to justify providing sanctuary to these individuals, likening them to captured enemy property like horses or cannons.
This policy was later affirmed by Congress in the First Confiscation Act, creating a precarious state of 'limbo' for escaped slaves. They were no longer the property of their masters, yet they were not considered free citizens of the United States. Many of these individuals lived in 'contraband camps', suffering from disease and malnutrition, yet still contributed significantly to the war effort through labor-intensive tasks.
The experiences of African Americans during the Civil War were diverse and complex, which also extended to their involvement in various support roles. Women, in particular, played a key role in supporting the war effort in different capacities, from forming associations to care for the sick and poor, to engaging in acts of political resistance and advocacy for the Union cause.