African-American Troops and the Civil War | The Civil War
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14Oct
African-American Troops and the Civil War
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The use of “colored troops” during the Civil War was a controversial practice that was debated by both the Union Army and the Confederate Army. Although African-American soldiers existed in the Confederate Army, they were few and far between, but in the Union Army, African-Americans accounted for ten percent of the soldiers who served in the Federal Army.
Around 180,000 African-Americans in 163 units served in the Union Army, and a significant amount of African-Americans served in the Federal Navy. Although many of the African-American soldiers and sailors were freedmen, a large number were also slaves who joined the cause either as runaways, or after being “seized” as contraband, a practice that was standard during the first years of the war.
However, it wasn’t until 1862 that Congress signed off on the use of African-Americans in the U.S. Army and Navy, passing two acts that allowed for the enlistment of African-Americans. While these acts were passed in April, they did not take effect until later in the year, after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Despite the eagerness of many African-American men to fight, [ad#adsense]the use of African-American soldiers was met with some resistance. Both Union officers and the presidential cabinet expressed concern about using African-American soldiers - and President Lincoln was among those who expressed concern. Among the concerns that were voiced were the reluctance of white soldiers and officers to serve alongside African-American soldiers, and the response of slave-holding border states - such as Maryland and Kentucky whose proximity to Washington was close - to supporting African-American soldiers.
The African-American regiments soon proved themselves, however; after the Battle of Port Hudson in 1863, Union General Banks wrote that:
Whatever doubt may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this character, the history of this days proves…in this class of troops effective supporters and defenders.
Although African-American regiments proved their worth early on, they still faced discrimination within the Federal ranks. While white privates earned thirteen dollars a month plus a clothing allowance of $3.50 under the Militia Act of 1862, African-American soldiers only received ten dollars a month, with a clothing allowance of three dollars. Some regiments refused to accept any pay at all until Congress granted them full pay in 1864. However, pay wasn’t the only area in which African-American soldiers experienced discrimination; African-American regiments were often assigned the grunt work, prompting General Daniel Ullman to ” fear that many high officials outside of Washington have no other intention than that these men shall be used as diggers and drudges.”
African-Americans who chose to join the Navy found conditions there somewhat better; not only were their numbers higher in the Federal Navy, comprising almost 16% of the ranks, but African-American sailors were paid equally to their white counterparts from the outset, and found that there were more higher-paying entry-level enlisted position that they were able to fill, as well.
While the idea of enlisting slaves to fight had been bandied about the Confederacy from the beginning of the war, the idea wasn’t seriously considered until the waning days of the war, when General Lee found himself desperate for men, and beseeched the Confederate Congress to enlist slaves for the duration of the war, in exchange for their freedom after the war’s conclusion. Although the Confederate Congress passed legislation to enlist slaves, the legislation did not come quickly enough, and only around 40-50 African-American soldiers were enlisted.
However, a number of slaves and Southern free African-Americans voluntarily served in the Civil War, including the Baton Rouge Guards ,some of the Pointe Coupee Light Infantry, and the Augustin Guards and Monet’s Guards of Natchitoches. This does not count, of course, the slaves who went into battle alongside their masters.
African-American soldiers distinguished themselves throughout the Civil War, contributing to all major battles in the last two years of the war. Serving bravely despite being discriminated against, these soldiers gave their lives for both the Union, and, in some cases, the Confederacy.
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