What does "steered clear of” mean in this context? was drawn to attempted to ruin tried to capture stayed away from

in 1862, president lincoln's emancipation proclamation opened the door for african americans to enlist in the union army. although many had wanted to join the war effort earlier, they were prohibited from enlisting by a federal law dating back to 1792.

explanation:

a phrase from a poem by ralph waldo emerson about the battle of lexington and concord. emerson's words read, “here once the embattled farmers stood / and fired the shot heard round the world.”