After two and a half years, approximately 180,000 freed slaves and blacks fought in the Union army, making a vital contribution to the Union victory as well as their own freedom. These numbers were amazing, considering that “Black soldiers in the Union army endured rampant discrimination and earned less pay than white soldiers, while also facing the possibility of being murdered or sold into slavery if captured.” Even with all of the discrimination and the risks, blacks and slaves were still encouraged by the proclamation to continue to fight and contribute in all ways possible in order to defeat the