douglas and other leaders viewed black military services twofold. first, an opportunity to win a union victory. and second, for blacks to gain equality and rights as citizens. his prophetic words, perhaps were or yated in a voice similar to a familiar one today to some of us, maybe. perhaps. or james earl joan. you choose. and as you listen to these words of frederick douglass, imagine. let the black man get upon his person. the black letters u.s. and let him get in eagle on his button and a musket on his shoulder as bullets in his pocket and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship in the united states. who do you hear? [laughter] but not until the war had dragged on for two long bitter years with mounting casualties as well as unsuccessful drafts with the president relent. first though he must sign a formal emancipation proclamation. which was finally issued on january 1, 1863. it freed all slaves and repeal use states with the exception of those in areas already under union control. and did not bring -- fearful of losing those slaves in border states. secondly, the proclamation declared that black men could officially where the army. many immediately t