Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty

[thea_447]

Southern Negroes participated in the tragic affair at Griswoldsville, a battle that never got into the history books. After burning Atlanta, Sherman sent two full army corps toward Macon where the only force that could be mustered against them was a make-shift army of hastily assembled militia and poorly coordinated units of old men and under age boys who formed up at Griswoldsville and with not even a fence for protection, charged across 800 yards of open field against the fire of repeating rifles and cannon. Northern officers, inspecting the field after the "battle", were horrified to find the bodies of feeble old men and "little boys not over fourteen". One youngster with an arm and leg broken lay near the bodies of two brothers, his father and an uncle. "They knew nothing of fighting," said Col. Wills, "And their officers knew as little."

He noted with surprise that there were a number of Africans among the captured, who had been fighting along with white companions and had been taken in a ravine from which a heavy return fire had poured into Northern ranks at 50 to 100 yards range.

Ten years before, at Balaklava, in a similar monstrous blunder made magnificent by plumed helmets, polished breast plates, flashing sabres and neighing steeds, men made a charge that has been every cavalryman's dream of glory since. Four hundred dashing young men in their glittering armor lay on the floor of the famous "Valley of Death" after that celebrated charge. At Griswoldsville, six hundred and fourteen old men in one-gallus britches and ragged kids with dirty faces lay in the weeds of a forgotten field after seven futile charges against an impossible objective. It seems to make a difference what you wear when you make an enormous military blunder. (Morton R. McInvale, Georgia Historical Quarterly; also see Finis Farr Fawcett in "Black Champions" (Gold Medal Books, 1964.) He states that the father of Jack Johnson, former heavyweight champion, fought for the Confederacy and contracted rheumatism fighting to check Sherman's march in Georgia. Could he have been at Griswoldsville?

[Hunter_Killer]

I have to agree with Shane (Steele) on this one. Nothing I have read has told me that anything more than a small minority of blacks were loyal to the Confederacy. When you compare the number of blacks that fought for the Union to those that fought for the Rebels, it seems clear to me who the majority of blacks supported. The Union.

There is one thing I must bring into the discussion: Even if the majority of blacks supported the Confederates, does that make slavery right? If you honestly think so, then please never come within my musket's range. In my opinion, slavery transcends 'wrong' and goes straight to 'evil'. If the Civil War accomplished nothing else than the end of slavery, I'd say it was worth fighting. In fact, believe I read something on this board dealing with that exact issue... Something along the lines of 'the War would never have been fought if the institution of slavery had not existed'.

My opinions, for what they're worth.

[johan_steele]

Thea, do you have any specific reference to Black troops w/ the Georgia Militia @ Griswoldsville? I have recently finished reading a diary from a Sgt who was there w/ an Illinois Regt and several letters covering that time period from a Captain who was also there. Neither mention Black men among the prisoners or the dead. Though both quite liberally mention the "robbing the cradle and the grave" including the insistance that one of the mortally wounded was not a day over 12 years of age. What is of interest is the reference to the first class arms they culled from the field... even the Georgia Militia was carrying Enfields by that time.

It is an interesting battle in that in 1864 green CS troops went against grizzled Veterans w/ little doubt of the outcome. In some ways it was a prequel to the results at Franklin. The CS attack there was an unforgivable blunder. But it is a battle that proves that no one can call into question the courage of the Georgia militia.

[unionblue]

From the book, A Blockaded Family, Life in Southern Alabama During the Civil War, by Parthenia Antoinette Hague (Originally Published in 1888).

"As we roam back in the past, events of earlier days rise in bright view to mind; one link in memory's chain runs into another. I cannot forbear here referring to an incident which occurred a few years before the Civil War. There came to our settlement from the North, three cultured, refined, and educated ladies as school teachers. Their first Sabbath of worship in the South was at the Mount Olive Baptist church, in Harris County, Georgia. The pastor of the church, for some unknown cause, failed to appear at the hour appointed for service. We waited for some time and still no preacher. Then the good old deacon, known by all as "Uncle Billy" Moore, who had lived by reason of strength beyond the allotted threescore and ten, arose, and said, as the hour for service was passing, as the minister's arrival seemed doubtful, and as the congregation had all assembled, he would suggest that Uncle Sol Mitchell, an old and honored negro, preach for us, as he was present, and a member and preacher in good standing in the Mount Olive church. There was not even a shadow of an objection to the negro slave's occupying the pulpit, as our friends from the far North were witness. Ah, friends of the Green Mountain and Bay State, you will, if yet in the flesh, remember with me that Sabbath so long ago in the South, when the negro slave walked up to the pulpit, opened the hymn-book, and announced the old sacred song: 'When I can read my title clear, To mansions in the skies.'

I remember how loudly my dear father tried to sing--though only a poor singer--just because Uncle Sol was going to preach; how Sol gave the verses out by couplets to be sung, as was the custom then in the country. All joined in singing that sacred song, and bowed the knee when Uncle Sol said, "Let us pray." I am very sure I have never knelt with more humble devotion and reverence than on that Sabbath morning."

Unionblue

[unionblue]

"Uncle Ben was the negro man who drove the carriage, made fires night and morning in all the rooms of the house, hoed the garden, helped Aunt Phillis, the cook, who was his wife, and did chores in general around the house and yard. Now it happened, as Aunt Phillis afterward told us, that Ben had made his plans for that very Sunday also. He was to meet by agreement with the negroes of contiguous plantations in a swamp not far distant from the negro quarter on Mr. G____'s plantation, to engage in games with cards. Their masters of course would not have permitted it. In passing round the house and yard Uncle Ben heard us say we were going to the village church that particular Sunday, and that we should be sure to wear our new home-woven suits. He knew he would have to drive the carriage, and I suppose he thought if it had not been for our new dresses of the home-made cloth, like as not we would not want to drive; for often we did not use the carriage on Sundays, but preferred walking to the quiet country church and Sabbath-school scarce a mile from my employer's residence.

While we were all at the supper-table that Saturday night, Ben, as usual, was making the round of the rooms, replenishing all the fires. He reached our room. There were four dresses hanging plain to view, and he thought of having to drive the carriage on the morrow. One of the little girls had taken a bath and left a large basin of water, with the sponge in it, near the fire-place. Ben gathered up the sponge, pressed some of the water from it, wiped the soot from the chimney's back, and smeared our prided homespun garments to his heart's content! Then he carefully disposed the skirts so as to effectually conceal the s mut. It being Saturday night, he expected that we could not have the much-soiled dresses ready for Sunday's wear, even if we should discover the s mut that evening.

When we went back to our rooms from the supper-table our first glance was toward our much-valued dresses, which appeared to hang just as we had left them. But before we had seated ourselves, surprise was manifested at some large flakes of soot on the hearth and floor and near to our precious garments. One of us called attention to the sponge, which was almost black, floating in the basin of water. The fire, beginning to burn anew, showed the chimney's back almost free of soot, and scarcely dry from the sponge. Thinking no harm had befallen our homespuns, I casually touched the folds of mine, when several flakes of soot fell to the floor. Immediately I loosed wide the folds of the skirt, when lo! such a s mut never before nor since have I seen, from waist line to the hem, one whole width all begrimed with soot. The other girls flew in a trice to their dresses, and as quickly unloosed the folds of their skirts. Lo! behold, it was s mut, s mut, soot, soot, broad and long! We knew in an instant it was Ben, for he was often 'contrary' about driving the carriage, especially if he had made plans for his own amusement. Irritation and disappointment were the prominent feelings at first, augmented by the thought that our homespuns would never look decently again, but our vexed feelings soon gave way to ringing laughter as we pictured to ourselves Uncle Ben in the midst of s mutting our dearly-prized garments. He deserved punishment, surely, but beyond a good scolding no correction was administered, although Aunt Phillis declared that "Massa orter half kill Ben fur sicher mean trick."

From the book, A Blockaded Family, by Parthenia A. Hague.

Unionblue

[thea_447]

I gave these references concerning Griswoldville in my post:
(Morton R. McInvale, Georgia Historical Quarterly; also see Finis Farr Fawcett in "Black Champions" (Gold Medal Books, 1964.)
I would add : http://www.jayrandolph.com/southern-heritage/blacks.htm in which is stated:
Black and white militiamen returned heavy fire on Union troops at the
Battle of Griswoldsville (near Macon, GA). Approximately 600 boys and elderly men were killed in this skirmish.

Other resources:
Resources:

Charles Kelly Barrow, et.al. Forgotten Confederates: An Anthology About
Black Southerners (1995). Currently the best book on the subject.

Ervin L. Jordan, Jr. Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War
Virginia (1995). Well researched and very good source of information on
Black Confederates, but has a strong Union bias.

Richard Rollins. Black Southerners in Gray (1994). Excellent source.

Dr. Edward Smith and Nelson Winbush, "Black Southern Heritage". An
excellent educational video. Mr. Winbush is a descendent of a Black
Confederate and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV).

This fact page 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. As to your remarks, "Hunter-Killer": "There is one thing I must bring into the discussion: Even if the majority of blacks supported the Confederates, does that make slavery right? If you honestly think so, then please never come within my musket's range." I would suggest sincerely that you read quite a bit more from all the threads of this forum before making such a remark. In my recollection there has only been one young, rather immature or uninformed boy who made some disparaging remarks about slavery. I do not believe anyone on this board thinks that slavery was anything but an abomination, then or now. But we live in an entirely different world. One must be prepared, in the study of history, to understand that the views held by men of the 1800's are entirely different from what everyone in this country believes today. And although the Union is credited with freeing the black man, anyone who seriously studies history will tell you that the Northerners back then did not think that the black man was his equal. Yanks wanted the blacks to be free: free to stay in the South and not go anywhere else where they might take a white man's job.

As to slavery itself, it is tolerated all around the world even today and the United States turns a blind eye. As Tommy (APHillbilly) has pointed out repeatedly :"Don't eat another piece of chocolate ever again because chocolate products are made by slaves to this very day ."

We can debate about this war fought so long ago but are we writing, reading, preparing articles for this very forum while munching on a piece of chocolate? Then I say to you sir, how many hypocrites do you know? I know quite a few, so my Enfield remains silent.

[thea_447]

The Negroes of the Coney family showed organizational ability as well as ingenuity. After New Orleans fell, the plantation was the frequent victim of cavalry raids supposedly in search of war material but actually for plunder. The Negroes assumed responsibility for defense measures, and set up an early warning system. A boy with a mule would be posted at each crossroads, and at the sight of approaching horsemen would come galloping in shouting, "Damyankees! Damyankees a-comin! Put the milk down the well!" Another boy would ride for the "home guard" of boys, old men, disabled veterans and free Negro volunteers. The hams and food supplies would be hidden and the horses and live stock driven into the thickets.

The girls of the family would hang silver ware and other small articles of value in the hoops inside their hoop skirts. Jodie, aged 18 was assigned the big silver punch bowl which required an ample skirt as well as a special technique. There was never much time but the girls were always sitting demurely in the parlor by the time the raiders clattered up. Leaving the outbuildings and grounds to the enlisted personnel, the officers would search the house, which was where most valuables were to be found. When the hoopskirt hideaway became a general practice at all plantations, the raiders caught on.

The officers would maneuver the girls around, and if they heard a tell-tale tinkle, would make threats. (Somehow Jodie always managed to remain seated among her voluminous folds.) The girls would weep and plead, to gain time, but often had to surrender some of the silver ware, highly prized by all plunderers.

Outside, the Negroes would greet their "liberators" with broad grins of welcome and show a laudable spirit of helpfulness; but somehow they bungled things, caused accidents, became bewildered and misdirected the searchers. The patrols, always impatient and nervous in expectation of a volley from a fringe of trees, often left empty handed cursing the "dumb ******s" for fouling up their operation. (Col. Glen L. Swetman, Biloxi, Mississippi)

[thea_447]

"Uncle Billy" belonged to Micajah Davis of Bedford County, Virginia who was Collector of Customs for the Confederate government and had to flee with his official records when Gov. Hunter raided the defenseless Valley. The family treasures had to be left with "Uncle Billy". After the fighting was over, Davis returned to recover the valuables. "Uncle Billy" went outside, tied a string between two trees and another string between two other trees. Underneath where the strings crossed, he dug up the chest of valuables intact. Not surprisingly, none of the Judge's other slaves deserted him either. (James ****ins, New Orleans Picayune, 14 October, 1907.)

________________________________________________

"Toney" climbed up behind 19 year old James B. Isbell and refused to get down and go back to the house, so they both finally rode off from Sumter County, Alabama, and joined General Forrest's free swinging cavalry. Forrest hit hard and often but "Toney" and James were with him all the way, including the disaster at Franklin. Captain James Isbell surrendered at Gainesville on May 9, 1865 with "Toney" by his side.

In 1914, young Frank Isbell, age 15, was sent to Idabel, Oklahoma to teach an Indian how to manage a Ford car purchased by Frank's uncle. An old Negro with white hair and beard happened to pass and saw Frank sitting at the wheel of the car parked by the side of the road. The old man's keen eyes snapped back for a second look. "What's your name, young man?" "Frank Isbell. Why?" "I knowed it!" Cap'm Isbell's grandson! Lawdy mercy! I'm your FOLKS!" Old "Toney" forced young Frank to go home with him for some real Southern cooking, and for a long rerun of the old stories he had heard often from his grandfather. (Fletcher Isbell, Arlington, Virginia)

[thea_447]

A raiding party from Sherman's army on its way north came to the home of Robert Hemphill, a wealthy South Carolina planter. In the absence of all white men, they were met by a trusted old Negro, Burrell Hemphill. When the faithful slave refused to reveal the hiding place of the family valuables, the raiders dragged him at the end of a rope into the forest, hanged him and riddled his body with bullets. A granite marker now stands on the grounds of the Hopewell Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church three miles northeast of Blackstock, So. Car. It is engraved: IN MEMORY OF BURRELL HEMPHILL KILLED BY UNION SOLDIERS FEB. 1865. ALTHOUGH A SLAVE HE GAVE HIS LIFE RATHER THAN BETRAY A TRUST. HE WAS A MEMBER OF HOPEWELL. (Edwin Lee Chaney, Searcy, Arkansas)

[larry_cockerham]

Folks, those Southerners of African descent, not unlike Robert Edward Lee, weren't necessarily 'loyal' to anyone but their families and God and of course their homeland. As I'm sure will be proven before this exercise is over, and I saw many examples of it earlier, black soldiers weren't at all uncommon. Some were better educated than others, at least in book learning. That was also very true of the white soldiers. Strength and experience were very valuable assets to the men of the Confederate Army. A good farrior needed to know about horses. Napoleonic tactics were of little use to the common draftee or volunteer. This was simply a horrible civil war drawing it's participants for various reasons and from many backgrounds.