General Orders, No. 7 (Department of the South)

April 13, 1862

On April 13, 1862, Major General David Hunter issued General Orders, No. 7 (Department of the South) freeing the people formerly held in slavery at Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island, Georgia.

Portrait of David Hunter

On April 13, 1862, Major General David Hunter issued General Orders, No. 7 (Department of the South) freeing the people formerly held in slavery at Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island, Georgia. [Wikimedia Commons]

General Orders, No. 7

Hdqrs. Dept. of the South
Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island, Ga.,
April 13, 1862

All persons of color lately held to involuntary service by enemies of the United States in Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island, Georgia are hereby confiscated and declared free, in conformity with law, and shall hereafter receive the fruits of their own labor. Such of said persons of color as are able-bodied and may be required shall be employed in the quartermaster’s department at the rates heretofore established by Brig. T. W. Sherman.

By command of Maj. Gen. D. Hunter:

CHAS. G. HALPINE
Assistant Adjutant-General

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title General Orders, No. 7 (Department of the South)
  • Date April 13, 1862
  • Author
  • Keywords hunter
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date September 27, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 6, 2022

General Orders, No. 7 (Department of the South) is Part of the Following on AHC