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That was going to end slavery. his mission at that point was to reunite the country. >> if they fear that you wish to start a war to take their slaves away, you should remind the south that those fears are unfounded. >> once the war starts, enslaved african-americans see it for what it truly is -- a chance to be free. [ men shouting, cannons firing ] fort monroe is a union outpost in confederate territory, defended by 4,500 men, including a zouave regiment, and commanded by general benjamin butler. >> general butler? fugitive slaves captured just outside the fort. >> please, sir. we're just lo...

The first time and going into union territory. lee has made a plan of attack and divided his force, with one element around hagerstown, maryland, and the other element around harpers ferry, in what we call west virginia today. >> until now, top union general george mcclellan has failed to give lincoln the victory he needs. but a lost copy of lee's entire battle plan winds up in mcclellan's hands, giving him one last shot at redemption. >> if i can't whip bobby lee with this paper, i'll be willing to go home. [ chuckles ] >> even with general lee's battle plan in his possession, mcclellan hesit...

>> all that stands in the way of emancipation is the daunting task of defeating robert e. lee on the field of battle. [ men shouting, whooping ] >> up-time! quicker. >> when robert e. lee goes into maryland -- and it's a rather audacious move, because it's crossing the potomac river for the first time and going into union territory. lee has made a plan of attack and divided his force, with one element around hagerstown, maryland, and the other element around harpers ferry, in what we call west virginia today. >> until now, top union general george mcclellan has failed to give lincoln the victo...

>> throughout the war, president lincoln maintains the conflict is only about preserving the union not eradicating slavery. but mounting losses on the battlefield and continued pressure from douglass have forced lincoln to consider issuing a final measure to save his broken union. >> honest abe lied to us. >> patience. give the man some time. >> as brutal as it is, douglass still sees the war as america's best chance to rid itself of slavery. but the pressure he puts on the conflicted president has had little effect, and the cost of lincoln's indecision is being felt on the battlefield. [ gunf...