: During the American Civil War, the Union used the term to describe enslaved Black people who escaped to their lines. By labeling them "contraband," Union generals could legally refuse to return them to their enslavers under the laws of war ( Dictionary.com ).
Within controlled environments like prisons or hospitals, the definition of contraband expands to include "nuisance" items that threaten order or safety: Search results for cONTRABAND
: Items primarily intended for war, such as ammunition , weapons , and military machinery ( Wikipedia ). : During the American Civil War, the Union
Detail the for possessing contraband in different jurisdictions. : During the American Civil War