“And how do you know this? And how was all the other property also not being used to make war on the United States?”
Slaves grew the food that fed the Confederate Armies.
Slaves built the forts and trenches of the Confederate Army.
Slaves worked in the mills, factories, arsenals, that made the weapons, ammunition, shells, and gun powder for the Confederate Army.
Slaves cooked for the Confederate Armies.
Slaves shod the horses and mules used to Confederate Army cavalry, artillery, and mounted infantry officers.
Slaves nursed the wounded of the Confederate Army.
Slaves offloaded the blockade runners bring in arms, ammunition and other tools of war.
slaves repaired the damaged railroads and bridges supporting the movement and supply of he Confederate Army.
Without those slaves, the War would have ended in a few months.
In addition to slaves, any property useful to the Confederate cause was usually seized, destroyed or otherwise rendered unusable by the Confederate cause.
So did the land. In fact, the land had more to do with it than the slaves.
In addition to slaves, any property useful to the Confederate cause was usually seized, destroyed or otherwise rendered unusable by the Confederate cause.
Not to the same extent. This singling out of this particular "property" is clearly the whim of those in charge, and is not an actual objective standard.
The reality is "because I said so" and nothing else. There is no real law underpinning this, just power.