The Black Confederate

[william42]

Lately it's been about whether there were any "serving" "officially" "as" "soldiers."

Ok, I think I'll butt out of this one. Obviously I'm not keeping up very well. I admire the tenacity, concentration, ability to marshall and post resources quickly... from both sides, on this thread and a couple of others. It's sort of like watching dueling artillery matching salvo for salvo. I'll just stay out of the line of fire and watch.

TW

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by trice

Note also that as the members of the unit discovered they were only being used as a PR move by the Confederacy (never actually called up, one company having only 10 muskets for training, problems with equipment, used for grand reviews but nothing else, turned down for guarding Union POWs from Bull Run, etc.) they had a large amount of absenteeism at training sessions. Then the LA militia law was changed to include only free white men and this regiment was disbanded February 15, 1862. In late March (the 24th?), with the Yankees on the doorstep, the governor suddenly tried to activate them again (local Confederate command was against it), but it seems only something like 300 men showed up, they never fired a shot, and they surrendered to Farragut with the city of New Orleans.

Regards,
Tim

Seems their experience in the USCT was worse.

Most officers were either dismissed or resigned-

*"Mass resignation" of 16 in February 1863

*Seven resigned for "reasons of prejudice"

*Eight are dismissed

~

Only a handful serve throughout the war.

Name Rank Regt. Resigned Comments
Barrett, William B. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Belley, William CPT 2nd 04/05/64 Resigned, not qualified by Board.
Bertonneau, Arnold CPT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice
Bourgeau, Alfred 1LT 1st 03/07/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.
Butler, Charles 2LT 1st 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism."
Cailloux, Andre' CPT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson.
Carter, Edward CPT 1st 10/21/63 Medical discharge, "piles."
Carter, Hannibal CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Case, George R. CPT 1st 02/11/64 Medical discharge, "deafness."
Chase, Edward P. CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Crowder, John 2LT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson.
Davis, Edgar CPT 1st 09/01/63 Trans. to 91st USCT & resigned.
De Gray, Louis 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Depass, John CPT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned to return to England.
Depremont, Peter O. 2LT 2nd 07/17/63 Resigned, no reason given.
Detiege, Emile 1LT 1st 09/25/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Dumas, Francis E. MAJ 2nd 07/03/63 Resigned, no reason given.
Fleury, Alphonse, Jr. 1LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness."
Fog[y], Octave 2LT 1st 03/30/63 Discharge for "physical disability."
Follin, Joseph CPT 1st 02/29/64 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Forstall, Leon G. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Gardiner, Peter A. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Gibbons, Charles W CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Gla, Jacques Adolph CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Glover, Calvin B. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Hardin, William 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Hays, Solomon 2LT 2nd 02/18/64 Resigned, "ignorant, unable to learn."
Holland, John C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Hubeau, Ernest 1LT 2nd 01/22/63 Resigned, no reason.
Ingraham, James H. CPT 1st 03/22/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.
Isabelle, Robert H. 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Jones, Joseph 1LT 2nd 07/13/63 Resigned, no reason given.
Keeling, William F. 1LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.
Larrieu, Louis, D. 1LT 1st 06/03/63 Resigned.
Latting, John W. 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Lavigne, Victor 2LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Lawrence, Samuel CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Lesassier, Valdes 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Lewis, Alcide CPT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed for cowardice, S. O. No. 211.
Lewis, James CPT 1st 03/14/64 Medical discharge, "piles."
Longpre, Ernest 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Louis, Jules P. 2LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness."
Mallet, Jules 1LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Martin, Theodule A. 1LT 2nd 08/15/64 Medical discharge, "scurvy."
Merillion, Monroe CPT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.
Montieu, Joseph L. 2LT 1st 09/01/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Moore, James E. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Morphy, Ernest 1LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Morris, Morris W. 1LT 1st 08/27/63 Resigned on death of father.
Moss, Ehurd 1LT 1st 03/14/64 Resigned to avoid being discharged.
Oliver, Joseph C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation, "excellent officer."
Orillion, Oscar 2LT 1st 08/03/63 Missing-in-action near Jackson, LA.
Paree, Paul 1LT 1st 08/11/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism."
Parker, Joseph G. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Petit, Louis 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Pinchback, P. B. S. CPT 2nd 9/11/63 "Only col'd officer" at Fort Pike.
Rapp, Eugene 1LT 1st 09/27/63 Resigned, no reason given.
Rey, Henry L. CPT 1st 04/06/63 Medical discharge, "disease."
Rey, Hippolyte 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Rey, Octave 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Ringgold, Samuel W. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board.
Sauvinet, Charles S. 1LT 2nd 07/11/65 Promoted to Asst. Quarter Master.
Schermerhorn, Charles 2Lt 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Scott, Lucien 2LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 55.
Sentmanat, Charles CPT 1st 10/02/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Snaer, Louis A. CPT 1st 11/27/65 On duty at the end of the war.
St. Louis, Hyppolite 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks.
Tervalon, Francois 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.
Thibaut, Louis A. 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks.
Thompson, Jasper 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Trask, Frank L. 2LT 2nd 02/21/64 Dismissed, left guard post.
Villeverde, Joseph CPT 2nd 08/15/64 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 215.
Warfield, Charles 2LT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned, "benefit of the service."
Watson, George F. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No.
Wellington, Joseph 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Wilkinson, Samuel J. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board

[johan_steele]

I hate to point this out for the umpteenth time but they all "resigned" from CS service and were in fact never mustered in or utilized by the CS at all. It would appear that their service in the Union as officers was about as welcome as the CS. A shame to both sides... prejudice; a stain on the nation not just the North or South.

approx 25%... that says something doesn't it? 25% of the free blacks who were willing to bear arms for the CS saw the necessity to "switch" sides.

Claiming the 1st LA as a CS unit is pure moonshine and even more obviously pure propoganda... and post war Lost Cause propoganda at that.

[trice]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

I hate to point this out for the umpteenth time but they all "resigned" from CS service and were in fact never mustered in or utilized by the CS at all. It would appear that their service in the Union as officers was about as welcome as the CS. A shame to both sides... prejudice; a stain on the nation not just the North or South.

approx 25%... that says something doesn't it? 25% of the free blacks who were willing to bear arms for the CS saw the necessity to "switch" sides.

Claiming the 1st LA as a CS unit is pure moonshine and even more obviously pure propoganda... and post war Lost Cause propoganda at that.

More, really. Only about 300 were said to show up for the Confederacy in April 1862 when they were called back after their regiment was dissolved. Battalion says 125 went into the 1st Native Guards for Butler, and we know of others showing up in at leat 4 other Union regiments.

The black officers were essentially forced out of the US service for the most part after a while. Somewhere along the line it became OK to have black troops, but not OK to have black officers. Stupid, but the way it was. Some of these men were Creole in the fashion sometimes cited in books, those who were specifically declared free in the Louisiana Purchase treaty and at least one had been educated in Paris and received military training there.

Regards,
Tim

[trice]

Originally Posted by Battalion

Seems their experience in the USCT was worse.
Most officers were either dismissed or resigned-
*"Mass resignation" of 16 in February 1863
*Seven resigned for "reasons of prejudice"
*Eight are dismissed

Your point being what, exactly?

That they were treated badly by the US I could agree with. At some point it was apparently decided to get rid of black officers in these regiments and what you see above represents the results. (Note: it is fairly common to see officers not making it in new regiments, so some of these would just be ordinary, not not all of these.)

But you do have one difference already. The US actually did allow blacks in as soldiers, armed, fighting in combat, even organized into distinct units. The Confederacy refused to do so until the roof was falling in 1865.

Regards,
Tim

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

approx 25%... that says something doesn't it? 25% of the free blacks who were willing to bear arms for the CS saw the necessity to "switch" sides.

...the 75% that did NOT join the Federal army says a lot more

Originally Posted by joha

Claiming the 1st LA as a CS unit is pure moonshine and even more obviously pure propoganda... and post war Lost Cause propoganda at that.

...and that Yankee Doodle BS story that the entire unit switched sides is nothing but war time feel-good propaganda...
...but you can still find it in most Yankee histories on the subject

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by trice

Your point being what, exactly?

That they were treated badly by the US I could agree with. At some point it was apparently decided to get rid of black officers in these regiments and what you see above represents the results. (Note: it is fairly common to see officers not making it in new regiments, so some of these would just be ordinary, not not all of these.)

But you do have one difference already. The US actually did allow blacks in as soldiers, armed, fighting in combat, even organized into distinct units. Regards,
Tim

"distinct units"...???????


Don't you mean Segregated?

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by trice

Your point being what, exactly?

That they were treated badly by the US I could agree with. At some point it was apparently decided to get rid of black officers in these regiments and what you see above represents the results. (Note: it is fairly common to see officers not making it in new regiments, so some of these would just be ordinary, not not all of these.)

But you do have one difference already. The US actually did allow blacks in as soldiers, armed, fighting in combat, even organized into distinct units. The Confederacy refused to do so until the roof was falling in 1865.

Regards,
Tim

Testimony taken during the court martial of Colonel Augustus W. Benedict, Corps d'Afrique, for cruelty to Negro soldiers in his command at Fort Jackson. LA, that resulted in a mutiny there on Dec 9, 1862:

"The soldiers whipped on Dec. 9 were the two drummer boys, named Harry Williams and Munroe Miller with a mule whip, such as is used on carts; a whip with a stock and a lash..I have seen [Col. Benedict] spread a man [negro] out on his back, drive stakes down, and spread out his hands and legs, take off his shoes, and take molasses and spread it over his face, hands, and feet [to bring the fire ants - editor's note]."
http://www.37thtexas.org/html/HistRef12.html

[Battalion]

[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE [under Federal control], April 1, 1864, p. 1, c. 5

"Raising Negro Troops for the Confed-
erate Service.

The New York Tribune's correspondent, who was compelled to accept an office in the rebel War Department, but made his escape, makes, from Washington, the following statements of the discussion in Confederate counsels as to arming the slaves. He asserts that the slaves do oftentimes fight bravely for their masters, but thinks they would not do so as a class:

. . .In truth there are a considerable number of negroes bearing arms in the Confederate army now. They are not so employed by any order of the War Department, nor are they generally formed into companies by themselves, but when they fight they fight side by side with the white soldier. These negroes for the most part belong to the officers and men of the commands to which they are attached. In the Confederate service a private may, if he choose, be accompanied by a servant, on paying a certain sum for his rations. This is not allowed by any regulation, but it is a privilege that has been permitted from the beginning of the war; and in the cavalry especially a large number of the men, as well as the officers, have their servants to feed and take care of their horses, cook, and do such chores as may be required of them. Many, in fact most of these negroes have been favorites with their young masters at home and are greatly attached to them, and if given a swig or two of rebel lightning (corn whiskey) are ready to right to the death by their sides.

When an engagement is about to take place such of these negroes as are willing to fight are equipped and go into battle with their masters. In March last I was sent as courier by the Secretary of War to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, and was with his command in Col. Owen's (the 3d Virginia) Regiment, belonging to Fitzhugh Lee's Brigade, at the battle of Kelly's Ford. This regiment is a very aristocratic one, being composed of young men, nearly every one of whom claims to be of an F. F. V., and there are fully a quarter as many negro servants in the command as soldiers. At the battle referred to, these negroes fought magnificently by the side of their masters, and several of them were killed. The servant of McClellan, adjutant of the regiment, displayed a courage and desperation that challenged the admiration of all who saw him, and the day after the fight he received from Col. Owen the present of a handsome sword for his bravery.

This Adjutant McClellan, by the by, is a first cousin of Gen. George B. McClellan, the Union hero of seven days' battles around Richmond. He is a fac-simile of the General, at least in appearance, and for his devotion to the rebel cause was recently promoted to major on Gen. Stuart's staff.

But to return for a moment to the negro soldiers: Gen. Bragg, in a communication to Mr. Seddon, stated that at the battle of Stone's river, four companies of negroes, which had been formed out of servants attached to the army, and officered by white men, conducted themselves with great credit, exhibiting a fearless determination not excelled by the best soldiers of his command. He recommended the immediate organization of 200,000 soldiers of this class, to be distributed in companies and regiments in the armies then in the field.

But you may rest assured that, although there are a few slaves who would fight for their masters in aid of the rebellion, that nine out of ten of them have now too large a sense of freedom to assist in riveting tighter the chains of bondage upon themselves and fellows; and I believe that the arming of 200,000 of them would, in effect, be equal to an addition of 300,000 soldiers to our armies."

[Battalion]

Back to the Louisiana Native Guard-

Originally Posted by trice

AN ACT to reorganize the militia.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana in General Assembly convened, That the militia of the State of Louisiana shall be composed of all the free white males capable of bearing arms residing in the State, and are eighteen years of age and not over forty-five, and who are not exempt under this law.
* * * * * * * *
SEC. 78. Be it further enacted, &c., That all laws conflicting with the provisions of this law be, and the same are hereby, repealed, and that this law shall not have force and effect until the fifteenth day of February next.

Approved January 23, 1862.

You skip from Section 1 to Section 78....

Based on the following order
...perhaps there was an exception made for the Native Guard (somewhere between sections 1 & 78)-

"ORDERS No. 426,
HEADQUARTERS LOUISIANA MILITIA,
Adjutant-General's Office, March 24, 1862. [following the Act of the Legislature]

I. The Governor and commander-in-chief, relying implicitly upon the loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State for the protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights from the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military organization which existed prior to the 15th of February, 1862, and elicited praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their organization, and to hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be transmitted to them.
II. The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major-General Lewis, commanding State Militia.

By order of Thomas O. Moore, Governor:
M. GRIVOT, Adjutant-General."
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-b...IF&pagenum=557

~~~~~~~~~~


??????????

Testimony of Major-General Mansfield Lovell, CSA, Commanding Department No. 1, HQ- New Orleans, La.

"On February 25 I made requisitions on the governor of Louisiana for 10,000 militia for the defense of the city, but the adjutant-general of the State reported that, in November, 1861, he had only about 6,000 armed militia available, and that since that time 3,000 of the best armed of these troops had been sent to re-enforce the army in Tennessee upon there quisition of General Beauregard. This gave me for the defense of New Orleans less then 3,000 militia, of which 1,200 had muskets, and the remainder very indifferent shotguns. These troops were commanded by their own State officers, and a part of them, when ordered to the support of Fort Jackson, mutinied and refused to go, and had to be forced on board the transports by other regiments."
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-b...IF&pagenum=561