What did the Confiscation Act of 1861 accomplish?

The Confiscation Act of 1861 was significant because it declared that slaves who were utilized by the Confederate military for agricultural work, or in any capacity that supported the war effort against the Union, would be considered free. This act reflected the Union's shifting stance on slavery during the Civil War, moving towards emancipation as a strategic wartime measure. By allowing for the freedom of those enslaved who were deemed to be aiding the rebellion, the act not only aimed to disrupt the Confederate economy but also officially recognized the contributions of black individuals in the conflict. This marked an important early step toward the broader Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which would ultimately declare freedom for all enslaved people in the rebellious states.