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3. General Order No. 3

Here is a text version of "General Order No. 3," which was printed in newspapers around the country:

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 order of Major General Granger

F.W. Emery

Major A.A. Genl.

Around Juneteenth 2020, the original handwritten General Order No. 3 was spotlighted among the holdings of the National Archives.

Dark hand in chains with American flag behind narvikk / Getty Images

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