The Long Road to Freedom: The US Army & Juneteenth

In June 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with roughly 2,000 Union Soldiers. Though his main goal was to bring an end to the Civil War and welcome Texas back into the Union, he had another objective. On June 19, Granger issued General Orders No. 3 declaring that “the people of Texas are informed in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States all slaves are free.” Granger’s order had the effect of liberating 250,000 people who had been enslaved in Texas. 

Discover the role of the U.S. Army in the liberation of enslaved persons throughout the Confederacy. Explore the courageous, selfless and dedicated service by Black Soldiers that cemented the gains provided by the Civil War and opened the door to widespread military service for Black men in the U.S. Army. 

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