This Day in History – August 6, 1861 Tags: 19th century American history, abolition history, American Civil War, August 6 1861, August 6 1861 history, Benjamin Butler, Civil War era, Civil War legislation, confiscation of property, contraband of war, emancipation history, enslaved individuals, First Confiscation Act, historical legal steps, human rights history, Legal History, this day in history, this day in history 1861, This Day in History August 6, transition to freedom, Union Army, US Congress, US history 1861, wartime policy, Share on: Share: This is where the text will go.View our photo collection! View Collection