Why did President Lincoln reverse General Fremont's order to free captured slaves?

General Butler had already declared slaves to be contraband.

He feared that freed African Americans would fight against the Union.

He was waiting for a Union victory before freeing enslaved people.

He feared retaliation from the border states, which supported slavery.

Question

Dawson Booth

History

12 August, 20:46

Why did President Lincoln reverse General Fremont's order to free captured slaves?

General Butler had already declared slaves to be contraband.

He feared that freed African Americans would fight against the Union.

He was waiting for a Union victory before freeing enslaved people.

He feared retaliation from the border states, which supported slavery.

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Mallory Villa · Answer 1

President Lincoln rescinded Fremont's emancipation proclamation, fearing it might push other Border States (slave states loyal to the Union) into the Confederate camp. Staff corruption, opposition from Missouri’s influential Blair family, and military defeats caused Lincoln to relieve Fremont of his command on November 2, 1861.