“Lincoln’s proclamation only freed SOUTHERN slaves.”
It did not do that at the time it was written, the war was still being fought, it had no more real effect than if Harry Truman, during WWII, had written a proclamation that Hitler’s soldiers could not eat black forest ham.
It had a big effect and that was why the slavers were outraged. It covered all states then in rebellion as a MILITARY tool to cripple the Rebellion’s economy and cut down on it’s military power.
The exodus of slaves from the plantations sped up to the point that the crowds of escapees was so large that they were bogging down the Union army’s advance.
Yes, you are right.
Southern congressmen had already left Washington.
Lincoln. Not my favorite president, but he was a PR genius.
Alas - did he ever check his White Privilege? I think not!