Tdoay's Virginian Pilot has the first chapter of a series of 8 articles that will run this week on the story of escaped slaves to Fort Monroe during the Civil War. It is also possible to pre-order a booklet for $7.00 of the whole series.

http://hamptonroads.com/freetofight

"The escaped slaves were "contraband of war"...and would be treated like any other war material the Army intercepted..
"Virginia's decision to secede meant U.S. Laws no longer applied. He (Butler) was under no legal obligation to return Townsend, Mallory and Baker."

Selma