As the Civil War ravaged through Arkansas, the status of the slave changed to one of freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation, although not recognized in the Southern states as a legal document, set slaves in rebelling states free as of Jan 1, 1863. The Confederate government in Arkansas used slave labor forces to build fortifications and work in hospitals, and labor under other jobs related to the army. However, the government service tended to be harsh and there were many complaints about mistreatment of slaves in service for the Confederacy. When white manpower became low in the Confederate army, a law was passed by the Confederate Legislature in Arkansas that would impress male slaves into military service. For the most part, the owners of these slaves were not willing to turn their property over to the army and many fled from both Union and Confederate armies to avoid arming slaves or losing them to emancipation. Some owners chose to move their slaves to Louisiana or Texas rather than see them liberated by Union troops.
It was common knowledge that as the war raged on, the attitude and ability of slaves to organize and defy their owners grew. Judge John Brown of Camden commented that slave discipline had disappeared and that they were stealing from white citizens of the area. By 1863, slavery existed but was a risky form of property since many were running off to find protection in the Union strongholds of Van Buren, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, DeVall's Bluff, Helena and Little Rock. One Union soldier wrote that slaves came from everywhere to join the army, "Some were delirious with joy and for a time forgot the hunger which would soon be upon them." Slaves would be brought into Union camps from raiding parties while others had run away by themselves. Other slaves stayed near the homes where they had been servants. Some did not know where to go while others did not want to leave in case relatives came looking for them.
Many newly freed males joined the Union army at Helena, Arkansas in 1863 and over 5,000 African-American males served in the U.S. army during the conflict. Unfortunately, segregation was evident in the Union army as many of these men were relegated to positions of workers, cook, laundress and general servants to their white counterparts. Still, other African-American males served in various regiments in Arkansas and fought in the Battle of Poison Spring in 1864. Many of the African-American soldiers were killed by Confederate troops during and after the battle.
Freedom for African-Americans caused many hardships and privation. Ex-slaves recalled the brutality of the Union troops in the freedmen camps. "They [the Yankees] treated them [ex-slaves] mean…They didn't like slaves. They steal from the slaves too," recalled Josephine Barnett from McNeill's Farm near DeVall's Bluff. The freedmen had little money and an even smaller chance for full employment during the first months of freedom. In the freedmen camps, several families crowded together to share housing, food, and supplies. Relief agencies and the U.S. government could only supply them with very little of the basic necessities. One resident of Pine Bluff remembered that there was, "just enough food to keep the Negroes from starving." Along with starvation, disease and malnutrition ran through the camps and added to the unsanitary conditions. Under extreme conditions, some ex-slaves returned to their former homes and owners to look for work and food. An unsympathetic ex-slaveholder acidly remarked to the slaves, "This is Freedom."
