Final answer:
Contrabands of war were enslaved people who escaped to Union lines during the Civil War. They influenced the course of the war by providing labor support to the Union army and pressuring the government to address the issue of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Civil War, contrabands of war referred to enslaved people who escaped to Union lines seeking refuge. Initially, Union leaders returned these escaped slaves to their masters according to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. However, General Benjamin Butler at Fortress Monroe in Virginia decided to put the slaves to work for the Union cause. These contrabands of war continued to flock to Union lines throughout the war.
The contrabands of war had a significant influence on the course of the war. They provided valuable labor to the Union army, helping with tasks such as raising fortifications, cooking meals, and laying railroad tracks. This allowed the Union army to free up soldiers for combat duty and strengthen their military efforts. Furthermore, the arrival of contrabands of war highlighted the issue of slavery and pressured the government to adopt a more standardized policy regarding runaway slaves.
In summary, contrabands of war were enslaved people who fled to Union lines during the Civil War. Their arrival led to increased labor support for the Union army and put pressure on the government to address the issue of slavery more directly.