'A Proclamation.' [Being the]: 'Emancipation Proclamation' (Liberty for Slaves). [WITHIN:] General Orders No. 1. General Orders of the War Department, Embracing the Years 1861, 1862 & 1863. Adapted specially for the use of the Army and Navy of the United States. Vol. II.

New York: Derby & Miller, 1864., 1864. Volume II. 8vo. xxxi, [1], 711, [1] pp. Subtle waterstain at top margin (viewable from pages 500-712). Original full dark blue-green pebbled cloth, gilt spine titles; light wear to extremities. Bookplate of the Essex Institute; small rubber stamp on title (C.W. Post College Documents Library). The Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for all slaves by January 1, 1863. This proclamation is dated January 2, 1863. Lincoln, in writing this, one of the most important documents in all US history, declared, 'And by virtue of the power and fpr the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of the States, are and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.' / The War Orders of 1863 are among the most historical during the Civil War. The volume includes: General Orders, No.1: Emancipation Proclamation (Liberty for Slaves). / General Orders, No.100: The Lieber Code (How soldiers should conduct ethically themselves in wartime). / General Orders, No. 143: Order for the creation of the United States Colored Troops. / General Orders, No.1. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. With this Executive Order. He took a decisive stand on the most contentious issue in American history, redefined the Union's goals and strategy, and sounded the death knell for slavery. / Lincoln had always believed slavery to be immoral and fought its expansion. The President took the action, 'sincerely believed to be an act of justice,' knowing that it might cost him the election. / With the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln dramatically tied the Union's war aims to ending slavery. Whether they approved or not, after January 1, 1863, Americans could no longer deny that emancipation was central to the Union war effort. / Though ready to lay the groundwork for emancipation, Lincoln feared that delivering the Proclamation at the wrong time would doom its chances for public acceptance and harm the Union cause. / On September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, giving the South 100 days to end the rebellion or face losing their slaves. / His final Proclamation, on January 1, 1863, further demonstrated his own evolving views by eliminating earlier references to colonizing freed blacks and compensating slave-owners for voluntary emancipation. Lincoln also added provisions for black military enlistment. Pausing before he signed the final Proclamation, Lincoln reportedly said: 'I NEVER IN MY LIFE FELT MORE CERTAIN THAT I WAS DOING RIGHT THAN I DO IN SIGNING THIS PAPER.' Despite the political risks, by 1864, he insisted on both reunion and emancipation as preconditions to any peace negotiation. Though the battle for civil rights would have to follow, Lincoln rightly regarded the Proclamation as: 'THE CENTRAL ACT OF MY ADMINISTRATION AND THE GREAT EVENT OF THE 19TH CENTURY'.