The civil war, which lasted from 1861-1865, took a great toll on America. Its result was the north winning and the emancipation of slavery. "Lincoln "freed" the slaves only where he had no power — inside the Confederacy" (Wiener). The declaration of independence put the finalizing touches on the freedom of the enslaved peoples. Even though there was freedom in the end, it was a great struggle to get to that outcome. "Rutledge, although opposed to independence, was selected to sit on the important War and Ordinance Committee where he did his best to delay the vote for independence"