This term was used by southerners to describe slaves who left their plantations to seek protection of the Union soldiers.

Answer 1

The term used by southerners to describe slaves who left their plantations to seek protection of the Union soldiers was "contraband." This term implied that the slaves were considered property, like any other commodity that could be seized as contraband during a time of war. The name "contraband" was often applied to escaped slaves who fled to Union lines during the American Civil War.