The Black Confederate

[unionblue]

Wild_Rose,

So many people are unwilling to believe blacks fought for the South because of two statements you yourself have made in your last post.

The official Confederate policy disallowed blacks from serving as soldiers...

As did State constitutions, local customs and a deeply entrenched fear of blacks, free or slave, being given weapons. Plus the determined, documented resistance by a population that for almost 200 years had been taught it was a historical and religious fact that blacks were inferior and could not fight.

Neither were black segregated from white soldiers.

Not unless you count the institution that segregated almost four million human beings into an institution that forever maintained their status of slavery. Even when individual slaves and small numbers of manservants, laborers, etc., picked up a gun in the heat of battle or were directed to by their masters and owners, they would always be kept segregated by that institution.

While black soldiers in the North were segregated from white units and led by white officers, whom do you think were getting the most satisfaction in firing on their foes? "Bottom rung on the top now, master." said one former slave turned Union soldier to a master, whose black Union regiment had fought and captured him in a fight.

This is what causes the almost immediate distrust and disbelief when such statements are made. They are viewed as disclaimers that slavery wasn't so bad after all, that it had nothing at all to do with the conflict and can we please move on to something more pleasant, thank you very much. It is not the fact the blacks, free and slave, in insignificant numbers, on ocassion, fought in the ranks of the Confederate army.

But to claim that their service in the Southern ranks because slavery wasn't as bad as we think or have been led to believe, diminishes the sacrifice of both white Union soldiers who fought for they must be viewed in a different, more sinister light. And for the over 180,000 black soldiers who fought for the Union, it is equally frustrating and deceptive, because it calls their suffering and service into question, making a mockery of their efforts to save their family members, their fellow slaves from an institution of permanet bondage.

Black and whites lives in the South did intertwine, but mainly because of the social customs and laws that clearly defined their place in that life. And it really wasn't that complex. If you are black, you are, more often than not, a slave, restricted forever by your color to a live of forced labor and servitude. If you are white, no matter how poor, you are not a slave. A few slaves and free blacks serving in the ranks with white men was never going to change that.

That's so many people have trouble believing that blacks, more often than not, would be willing to defend the South.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[Buffalo-Guard]

Just got book published in connection wit the SC State Arcives with the list of Blacks receiving pensions (Era 1925-1927) for service to the Confederacy. It lists Black solders, servants etc.

I am also includeing a letter from the NC State Arcives in regards to Black in the Confederacy.

Michael F. Easley, Governor Lisbeth C. Evans, Secretary
North Carolina
Department of Cultural Resources
Release: Immediately Date: February 26, 2002
Contact: Fay Mitchell Henderson
BLACK CONFEDERATES IN THE STATE ARCHIVES
RALEIGH – The North Carolina State Archives hold a number of surprises, not the least of which are records
of blacks in North Carolina who served the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
“Many people don’t realize that blacks served in the Confederate Army, and that some actually fought,”
says Earl Ijames, archivist for the Office of Archives and History in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
Ijames, who has researched black Confederate soldiers in North Carolina for more than a decade, said
both slaves and free blacks worked or fought for the Confederate cause. But, he said, it’s often difficult to
determine their exact activities because the social climate of the times did not value or recognize the
contributions of blacks.
No one knows how many blacks served the Confederate Army. It is known that some slaves
accompanied their masters into battle, but only as personal servants. Other slaves, sent by their masters, mainly
worked for the Confederacy to build forts or to transport materials, supplies or corpses. Some free blacks
enlisted and actually fought, while other free blacks worked in construction for the Confederate Army.
Official military service records of black soldier’s activities have not been found in the state archives.
But there are records in the archives that provide some names of black Confederate soldiers, but few details of
their service. No accounts exist of battles or valor, hardship or retreat, just the notation “Negro” beside a name.
Unofficial records are sketchy, if they survived the Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras.
Among the records in North Carolina’s archives that document African Americans’ service are
newspaper enrollment notices that give times for free Negroes to enlist in the Confederate Army,
correspondence, Confederate pension applications, and depositions. Some military records note that slaves
helped to construct forts or do other work at military facilities. Other documentation can be found in the “North
Carolina Troops, 1861-1865,” a 15-volume set of reference books that chronicles Confederate servicemen and
includes the names of black soldiers.
In some instances, officials even denied the existence of black Confederate soldiers. For instance, Sarah
Venable, widow of John W. Venable, applied for a widow’s pension. Venable is listed in the “North Carolina
Troops, 1861-1865,” as a member of Company H, 21st Regiment N.C. Troops. The roster shows that he was
Office of Public Affairs Brenda Follmer, Director
109 E. Jones Street, 4604 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-4604
(919) 733-5722 FAX (919) 733-1620
www.ncdcr.gov

(more)
Page 2
“Negro, enlisted June 5, 1861. No further records.” However, John Sawyer, a white Confederate veteran who
served with Venable, submitted a deposition as part of Sarah’s application stating that he knew John Venable,
and that Venable had “made a good soldier.” Yet the claim was disallowed with the notation, “No law for this.”
Another pension application came from an attorney in Spring Hope in 1924, on behalf of John Pulley.
Pulley had served in Company B under Capt. A. D. Crudup, who was deceased. State Auditor Baxter Durham
denied the claim, saying that the Confederacy had no Negro troops.
But some applications from blacks were approved, such as one from Billie Burrell, who said he was sent
by his master from Granville County to Fort Fisher, Fort Caswell and Baldhead Island. He may have helped
with fort construction and maintenance of the facilities and equipment, Ijames said. Burrell didn’t claim to be
in the Confederate Army, leading Ijames to speculate that Burrell’s application was approved because he didn’t
claim to be a soldier. In July 1939, Burrell received his pension approval; he was more than 90 years old at the
time.
Depositions and correspondence record devoted service by slaves to their masters on the battlefield,
usually by providing food and personal care. There are accounts of slaves who might have escaped bondage in
the theater of war, but chose to remain and serve, sometimes even after the death of their master.
A particularly poignant example of this was written about the service of the slave George Mills to his
master, Walter Bryson. It recounts how George provided bodily comfort and went through several battles with
his master. But the greatest service came when Walter was killed in the Battle of Antietam, Md. George
recovered the body, then made the long trip home to Hendersonville, N.C., so that his master would not be
buried in a ditch with the 24,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who died in battle that day.
Slaves often did whatever needed doing. Ijames shares the story of some slaves who got an unusual
assignment at the city of Fayetteville’s armory. In a report to Gov. Henry Clark, Fayetteville Mayor Archibal
McLean named 27 slaves whose tasks included “police duties in the square, and rear grounds, hauling bricks for
the repair of roads, hauling wood for the engine, attending the carpenters, cleaning old flint muskets, packing
arms, etc. etc.”
“Many people ask why free blacks would join the Confederate Army,” Ijames observed. “There could
be many reasons. Many free blacks were literate and property owners, so it could have been in their interest to
be with the Confederates.”
Others factors Ijames sites are religion and loyalty among slaves, saying slaves and free blacks felt a
sense of kinship to the land and families that may have made them loyal to the Confederacy. He also pointed
out that slavery also had been practiced in the North, and that blacks in the North often found the racism just as
real and unwelcoming.
Ijames, who began searching his own roots years ago, learned of the black Confederate soldiers from a
co-worker who was entering the North Carolina Confederate pension applications in an electronic database. He
began researching the topic then, and has continued. He also makes presentations to civic groups; in 2001, he
was awarded the Jefferson Davis Medal by the United Daughters of the Confederacy for his research on black
confederates.
Office of Public Affairs Brenda Follmer, Director
109 E. Jones Street, 4604 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-4604
(919) 733-5722 FAX (919) 733-1620
www.ncdcr.gov

For information on black Confederates, call Earl Ijames at 919/733-3952.
Office of Public Affairs Brenda Follmer, Director
109 E. Jones Street, 4604 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-4604
(919) 733-5722 FAX (919) 733-1620

[Buffalo-Guard]

Originally Posted by Wild_Rose

I don't know why so many people believe blacks wouldn't be willing to defend the South. They obviously did help defend the South and they deserve the credit due them for it.
Regards,
Rose

The first military monument in the US Capitol that honors an African-American soldier is the Confederate monument at Arlington National cemetery. The monument was designed 1914 by Moses Ezekiel, a Jewish Confederate. Who wanted to correctly portray the "racial makeup" in the Confederate Army. A black Confederate soldier is depicted marching in step with white Confederate soldiers. Also shown is one "white soldier giving his child to a black woman for protection".- source: Edward Smith, African American professor at the American University, Washington DC.

[Wild_Rose]

Neil, I suppose that in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter what we believe. The truth about black Confederates may remain buried until the history of those men have completely faded away to be forever forgotten. That would be a shame, but ultimately what happened cannot be changed no matter how much we wish it away because it doesn‘t fit what we want to believe.

“While black soldiers in the North were segregated from white units and led by white officers, whom do you think were getting the most satisfaction in firing on their foes?”

There was no general hatred between blacks and whites in the antebellum South. Northern black soldiers may have taken great satisfaction in killing Southern men. They may have believed their days of being a field hand was over and that they were fighting for a better, easier kind of life. I doubt that very many of them had the foresight to realize that “better life” wouldn’t come for many generations. I think Lincoln summed it up pretty well when he said, “Negro equality? Fudge!”

“They are viewed as disclaimers that slavery wasn't so bad after all, that it had nothing at all to do with the conflict and can we please move on to something more pleasant, thank you very much.”

There were many aspects of slavery that weren’t so bad according to the narratives of former slaves. But just like the evidence of black Confederates, somehow these narratives would be discounted, too. Why? Because it doesn’t fit the way the Union wanted the war to be remembered. You said it yourself:

“But to claim that their service in the Southern ranks because slavery wasn't as bad as we think or have been led to believe, diminishes the sacrifice of both white Union soldiers who fought for they must be viewed in a different, more sinister light. And for the over 180,000 black soldiers who fought for the Union, it is equally frustrating and deceptive, because it calls their suffering and service into question, making a mockery of their efforts to save their family members, their fellow slaves from an institution of permanet bondage.”

It does, doesn’t it? And that can never be tolerated. Southern people must have been cruel, vile and without morals. The negroes must all have been suffering and miserable, otherwise the North would never have came charging South on their white horses. The struggle for political power and money had nothing to do with it because that wouldn’t have been a noble cause.

“Black and whites lives in the South did intertwine, but mainly because of the social customs and laws that clearly defined their place in that life.”

That was the custom of the entire country in 1860. But slaves did not go about bruised, humiliated, bleeding from lashes and frightened as some would portray it to have been. No one can satisfactorily explain why some blacks chose to fight for the Confederacy or why the vast majority chose to stay in the South after their owners were gone to war and no one could have effectively stopped them from running. All they can do is deny and make excuses, because the truth just doesn’t fit in with the agenda.

Regards,
Rose

[unionblue]

Wild_Rose,

I must say that I found one statement in your entire above post that I agree with entirely.

All they can do is deny and make excuses, because the truth just doesn't fit in with the agenda.

Nor with rather large chunks of history, in my own opinion.

I am sorry if you feel that what we feel of those times does not matter in the long run. I feel quite strongly that it does. Again, I have no problem with the proven, historical fact, that blacks, both free and slave, served with Confederate forces. But as with any historical fact, this service of Southern blacks must be viewed in the entire context of the event that we now have come to know as the Civil War.

Individual acts of bravery, hardship, courage and service should be remembered and not forgotten. Neither should the circumstances that compelled that service, voluntary or involuntary, or why it was necessary for the South to consider this then-startling idea that slaves could serve as soldiers.

I do not find Buffalo_Guard's recent posts on documentation proving the service of Negro slaves, etc. as he has found in the state archives of late. I do not disprove of his efforts to show his family that there were blacks that fought in the Confederate ranks. It is a matter of history, a fact, one that should not be swept away.

Neither should it be blown out of proportion nor exploded into something it wasn't. The service of these men, these slaves and freemen, should not be made into something it wasn't, that the idea somehow reduces slavery into something it wasn't, a benign institution, the best situtation for the black man, in no way involved with the cause of the war.

Again, I do not consider the individual Southerner of the time intentionally evil, nor do I consider the individual Northerner free of predjudice against blacks. Neither of us are so ignorant of history to believe that. One of my historical idols, Lincoln, for a time, had the insane (to me) idea that all the blacks in America could be shipped back to Africa, leaving an all-white America with no problems. I am sickened when I hear some in my own family still espouse such an idea, here in the 21st century. But I think Lincoln summed it up even better, before his asassination when he said, "It is also unsatisfactory to some that the elective franchise is not given to the colored man. I would myself prefer that it were now confered on the very intelligent and those who serve our cause as soldiers." A big change from the other statement you mention, would you not agree?

That is why I consider you and others of this board so important. That is why I consider my views on the subject important. We debate, discuss, research, defend and present our views here, for others to see, to question and to consider. It is my earnest prayer, that all who come to this board without a background or love of history that we share, will question, will wonder and then go find out for themselves what they consider to be true and false about the service of black Confederates.

You again say that there were some aspects of slavery that was not so bad, according to some of the naratives recoreded of former slaves. Again, while I agree there may have been acceptions, there is research to indicate that slavery was that bad in the majority of other aspects that directly impacted upon slaves. Like the service of black Confederates, they should be put in their proper, overall, historical context, where they can be viewed in their entirety, instead of the slices we or others might find comfortable. Just as the other causes and effects proposed by others must be viewed in an otherall context, to see their real impact on the war in the proper overall view.

I remind you that there are reasons why the majority of the slaves stayed in the South when tens of thousands of white men went to fight. The twenty-slave law comes to mind, slave patrols, home guards, passes, etc., come quickly to mind. These safe-guards did effectively prevent them from running. Plus, the documented view of slaves that all they had to do was wait for Union forces and they would be free without the risks involved in trying to get through all of the mentioned obstacles I have stated.

My point is, you may have a point, but all the available conditions, events, happenings, speeches, customs, documentation, etc., MUST be viewed instead of those we simply don't like ignored or discarded.

In effect, I do not feel compelled to support those who deny and make excuses, simply because the truth does not fit in with their agenda. It is history that teaches us to hope and in order for it to do so, it must be presented as fully and truthfully as possible, warts and all.

Respectfully,
Unionblue

[unionblue]

Buffalo_Guard and Wild-Rose,

Found some interesting sites about the Confederate Memorial and Moses Ezekiel.

http://www.jewish-history.com/civilw...s_ezekiel.html

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/csa-mem.htm

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/vis..._Memorial.html

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[larry_cockerham]

Neil, I just read your post #95 above and find it logical and essentially correct. I'm sure you're excited to learn that. I have southern and union blood in my veins, as I've expressed before, so I hope I don't have a biased agenda. My opinion of our great president Lincoln has diminished considerably with the more I learn about his political maneuverings and his stated opinions on slavery which varied considerably, depending on where he was standing and the direction of the wind at the time. Slavery as a condition was better or worse depending greatly on the attitude of the owner, but acceptable to the slave in no instances that I've ever found. Few had the lack of good sense to express that emotion, but you can bet it existed within the individual. The unfortunate part of the late unpleasantness (WBTS) was the period of reconstruction that followed, being in part simply another phase in the necessary process for a march to equality. A slow march. It continues today.

[unionblue]

Larry,

Thank you for your kind words and understanding. It is deeply appreciated.

I consider your feelings on this thread and those you have expressed elsewhere fair and balanced, without serious bias, and considering your love of your history and background, quite remarkable.

You try at all times to be fair and balanced in your views and I get the impression you are trying to do the one thing that I consider the most important factor this board provides. You are trying to learn and to teach. And there has been many a time you have taught me something.

Thank you for that.

As to your feelings about Lincoln, ah! There's the rub! I admire the man so much and feel that he was about the greatest President there was in our history. But he does have feet of clay for the simple fact he was just like the rest of us, a human being. While I do not agree that he shifted his position on slavery whichever the political winds were blowing, I do think he was a politician and was able to guage the winds strength and which way they were blowing.

Did he make mistakes? Yes, plenty. Was he a great man? Or did the times force him to be great? It was a time when ordinary men in difficult times became something extraordinary and did amazing things. And not just Lincoln. That is why the period holds such a fascination with me. It supports my belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things in our own lives druing our own times. It just depends on our own courage and the circumstances.

Enough, time to get back on track.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[gary]

Wonderful post Neil.

I was looking at the photos of the Corn-fed monument in Arlington. I've been there a couple of times but never stopped by it. One thing I saw in the photos is that those guns have cheekpieces similar to a sporting gun. Old Ezekiel may have wanted to depict the Southern Army, but he sure didn't know his guns. Too much artistic license exercised there.

[Wild_Rose]

Neil, I only meant it doesn't matter if I believe it was one way and you believe it was another because it changes nothing. The true facts of history are solid as rocks. Yet, I believe it was Bonaparte that said, "History is lies agree upon." I don't think the Union case against the Southern states is an open book that will stand up to close scruitiny. Some of the pages have to be glossed over and Southern history has to be tarnished a bit in order for it all to make the kind of history the Union always intended for it to be.

I know that with all we have been taught about slavery and race relations in the South it is hard to imagine blacks that would have been loyal to the South and their "white family", but there were many. And, I respectfully disagree that the slave patrols could have kept slaves in the South had they wished to go. There was an overwhelming number of slaves and the farms and plantations were sometimes miles apart. The rural nature of the slaves locations allowed them plenty of leeway to escape. The further into the war, the less men there was to patrol. Yet the vast majority of slaves stayed, even after the Yankees had come and gone, and did their best to help "mistress" and children to survive the shortage of food by raising gardens, hunting and fishing. It is a great credit to the blacks that showed this kind of loyalty and kindness. And it isn't the actions of an abused, mistreated people.

I don't say these things in an attempt to make slavery into something it wasn't. The flip side of slavery was dark and awful. There were harsh masters and abused slaves. I wouldn't pretend that those things didn't exist. My only intention is to present the other side, the human side of slavery, the mutual respect and affection between the white and blacks that wasn't altogether uncommon. That is the side that is rarely heard of and it deserves to be known.

Regards,
Rose