The U.S. Census of 1860 reported that almost half a million Virginians lived in slavery. Five years later they were all free.

During the Civil War years, many enslaved people freed themselves. Legally speaking, a pro-Union, shadow state government -- the Restored Government of Virginia -- officially abolished slavery in Virginia. But it took the U.S. Army enforcing these measures after the end of the Civil War for most enslaved people to gain their freedom.