it is a story that most americans don't know. >> rick: it is a story i don't remember from my history classes growing up. you write these slaves who came to fort monroe in virginia, basically seeking asylum for all intensions and purposes. the general there a guy by the name of benjamin franklin butler he was an attorney not with a military background but a lawyer who came up with a good reason to keep them there. >> right. the confederate colonel who was in command of these slaves comes riding up to the fort asking for them back under a white flag of truce. this union general butler who was a savvy lawyer from massachusetts says, if you say these slaves are property, that you can reclaim. i'm going to agree they are property. and i'm going to say that they are military equipment in effect. they are contraband military equipment that i can seize like i would seize a shipment