The war was only a few months old when union naval forces occupied the sea islands off the coast of south carolina. the sea islands became famous as a test case for the transition from slavery to freedom as over 10,000 slaves were left on the islands. numerous northerners arrived, from government officials to private investors. all were there to take stock of the situation. one group, –, was made up of black and white reformers committed to uplifting the freed slaves. convinced that – was the key to making self-reliant, productive citizens of the former slaves, northern-born teachers – and laura m. towne, devoted themselves to teaching the freed blacks of the sea islands.