Again I am emphasizing that I believe all slavery was wrong. It was wrong in the past, now and in the future. According to the Bible, God is no respecter of persons and I believe in the words of the Bible.
- June 19th of 1865, referred to as Juneteenth, was an announcement in Galveston, Texas declaring the freedom of slaves in Texas.
This is the transcribed version of the letter by the general.
“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.”
By H.W. Emery, Major General
Ordered by General Gordon Granger
Note: Texas appears to be the last state to be informed of the freedom of the slaves, but although the letter says all slaves are free, they were advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages and they will not be allowed to collect at military post and they will not be supported in idleness.
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