Are the stories of Black confederates in the Civil War accuate or myths?

Question

I visited some websites that help to explain that there were some African-Americans who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. I wondered if there any historical evidence for this?

Answer 1

Yes Yes Yes they were a very brave bunch of MEN.

Answer 2

There were several books on the subject in the library where I used to work, but as I'm no longer there, I can't give you the references.

This website contains a short bibliography of books (and a video)where you can find further information: http://www.geocities.com/11thkentucky/blackconfed.htm

It includes this note: "This fact sheet is provided by Scott Williams. It is not an all inclusive list of Black Confederates, only a small sampling of accounts. For general historical information on Black Confederates, contact Dr. Edward Smith, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20016; Dean of American Studies. Dr. Smith is a black professor dedicated to clarifying the historical role of African Americans."
Copyright 1998, by Scott Williams, All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to reproduce this fact sheet for educational purposes only. Must include this statement on all copies.

Answer 3

I'm sure there is plenty of evidence. First off, there were slaves forced to go in the army by their masters. And also, I bet there were some slaves who wanted to fight for the Confederacy. I can't see why, but there are some who don't like change, and there may have been a very small number who wanted to stay in their situation. Some were treated decently and thought the ones who ran away were idiots. And then there were probably some who were like Robert E. Lee, who were just very loyal to the south.

Answer 4

African Americans in the Confederate Military

Due to the controversial nature of the subject and the poor quality of surviving records, the service of African Americans in the Confederate military is contentious. One estimate by Ed Smith of American University suggests that between 60,000 and 93,000 blacks, both slave and free, served in the confederate military in some capacity, however the vast majority of these were likely teamsters, cooks, musicians, and hospital attendants. [2],

For most of the war the Confederate Government prohibited the enlistment of African Americans as armed soldiers in the national army. The Confederate Congress authorized salaries for black musicians in 1862, stating "whenever colored persons are employed as musicians in any regiment or company, they shall be entitled to the same pay now allowed by law to musicians regularly enlisted."

Some individual states in the confederacy permitted free blacks to enlist as soldiers in their state militias. The first to do so was Tennessee, which passed a law on June 21, 1861 authorizing the recruitment of state militia units composed of "free persons of color" between the ages of 15 and 50. Louisiana, which had a sizable free black population, followed suit and assembled the all-black 1st Louisiana Native Guard. Alabama authorized the enlistment of "mixed blood" creoles in 1862 for a state militia unit in Mobile.[3]

In January, 1864, General Patrick Cleburne and several other Confederate officers in the Army of the Tennessee proposed using slaves as soldiers in the national army since the Union was using black troops. Cleburne recommended offering slaves their freedom if they fought and survived. Confederate President Jefferson Davis refused to consider Cleburne's proposal and forbade further discussion of the idea.

The concept, however, did not die. By the fall of 1864, the South was losing more and more ground, and some believed that only by arming the slaves could defeat be averted. On January 11, 1865 General Robert E. Lee wrote the Confederate Congress urging them to arm and enlist black slaves in exchange for their freedom. On March 13, the Confederate Congress passed General Order 14, and President Davis signed the order into law. The order was issued March 23, 1865, but only a few African American companies were raised, and the war ended before they could be used in battle. Two companies were armed and drilled in the streets of Richmond, Virginia shortly before the besieged southern capital fell. One of the units accompanied General Lee's retreat toward Appomattox and fought at the battle of Amelia, Virginia two days before Lee's surrender.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_military_history#African_Americans_in_the_Confederate_Military

Answer 5

Of course there is evidence of this. Most of them were told that they had to fight to get their freedom once the North freed the slaves to fight in the Civil war and the Confederate Armies were getting mowed down by freedman. So the southern slaves were recruited to fight but it was too late in the Civil war.

Answer 6

Yes, There were Black confederate soldiers. I found a very interesting site,On Black Confederates.

Answer 7

There were plenty of black slaves used for supply carrying and lots of behind the lines jobs. None of them actually Fought but they were certainly there.

Answer 8

True. Rather than a long, convoluted answer, check out this web site.

Answer 9

I have a feeling that some were forced to fight by their slave owners, but they were few and far between.

Answer 10

yes, look it up in encyclopedias and history texts.