The Emancipation Proclamation freed many slaves, particularly in Louisiana, where Federal armies were already ensconced. It also freed many slaves as federal armies invaded & occupied the south, & made them unquestionably eligible to serve in Union ranks.

The Proclamation did exclude the border states because their presence on the Union side was essential. Can anyone imagine a Union victory without Delaware, Missouri, Maryland, West Virginia & Kentucky?

Finally, most prominent abolitionists of the day were very pro-secession. Some believed the federal government had no right to interfere with states wanting to leave the union, while others believed the cure to slavery was to make it someone else's (ie another nation's) problem.

It is correct, however, that his every effort was aimed at winning the war. But winning the war was the only way to end slavery. A pious, well-meaning loser does no one any good.