And as I pointed out it's doubtful that they thought the whole process throught. The handful of black combat soldiers organized into black units in the closing weeks of the war really don't tell us anything.
I don't know about you, but if was armed, I would be a free man (dead or alive), but I would not still be a slave.
I suppose that legally you would be what the authorities say you are. And after you service your master comes and reclaims you then you're a slave in the eyes of the confederate government.
And per the rebel constitution, no governmental action can ever free you.
Walt