Gordon Granger

Union Army General (1821–1876)

Gordon Granger (6 November 182110 January 1876) was a career U.S. Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War, where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Chickamauga. Granger is most famous for his June 19, 1865 proclamation in Texas that all slaves were freed, now commemorated by the Juneteenth federal holiday.

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

Quotes

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  • The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.
    The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
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