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We sometimes here that there were Creoles in Mobile who served as soldiers for the Confederacy. It appears there were some, and it is thought they were largely a fire company of Creoles who were upset that they were not allowed to serve as the other fire companies were. In the Deep South of that day, there were a class of Creoles that were recognized as free forever because of the treaties with France and Spain that brought much of that area into the US.
However, here is the attitude the admittance of these men into the Confederate Army as expressed by the Secretary of War in November of 1863:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Mobile, Ala., November 7, 1863.
General SAMUEL COOPER,
Adjt. and Insp. Gen., C.S. Army, Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: I again call your attention to my request to accept into the Confederate service the company of creoles of Mobile, because I think that perhaps the War Department is not exactly informed about the people I have reference to. When Spain ceded this territory to the United States in 1803, the creoles were guaranteed all the immunities and privileges of the citizens of the United States, and have continued to enjoy them up to this time. They have, many of them, negro blood in the degree which disqualifies other persons of negro race from the rights of citizens, but they do not stand here on the footing of negroes. They are very anxious to enter the Confederate service, and I propose to make heavy artillerists of them, for which they will be admirably qualified. Please let me hear at your earliest convenience if I may have them enrolled in a company, or in companies if I can find enough of them to make more than one company.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DABNEY H. MAURY,
Major-General.
[First indorsement.]
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
November 20, 1863.
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. An application to have a company of creoles at Mobile accepted into Confederate service.
By order, &c.:
JOHN W. RIELY,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Second indorsement.]
[NOVEMBER] 24, 1863.
Our position with the North and before the world will not allow the employment as armed soldiers of negroes. If these creoles can be naturally and properly discriminated from negroes, the authority may be considered as conferred; otherwise not, unless you can enlist them as "navvies" (to use the English term) or for subordinate working purposes.
J. A. S.,
Secretary.
As you can see, the policy is that if they can "pass" as not being negroes, they can become soldiers and, if not, they can only be used as laborers.
Here is an earlier Confederate Congress act related to the use of Creoles as soldiers:
AN ACT to authorize the enrollment of the Creoles of Mobile.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Alabama in General Assembly convened, That certain persons of mixed blood, residing in the city and county of Mobile, commonly known as Creoles, be, and the same are hereby, authorized to be enrolled as militia for the defense of the city and county of Mobile, if in the opinion of the mayor of the city it is expedient.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the enrollment authorized by the first section of this act shall be made as follows, to wit: The mayor shall enroll such male Creoles between the ages of eighteen years and fifty years who wish to be enrolled. He shall then divide them into suitable companies, and appoint some discreet white man as commissioned officer to command said companies. Said companies shall be confined exclusively to the defense of the city and county of Mobile, and shall be under the command of the military authorities in the city of Mobile.
Approved November 20, 1862.
It appears the Confederate War Department had a different policy as far as actual Army use was concerned.
Here is another example of the Confederate War Department policy towards Creoles in the Army, although with a different Secretary of War:
MOBILE, April 23, 1862.
Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War:
SIR: I am well acquainted with G. Huggins Cleveland, who is anxious to raise a creole battalion or regiment. He is a man of character and much respected, and will do good service in any station. I, too, highly approve of his plan. I know the character of the population he proposes to enlist, and think they will render as efficient aid as any class we have. If the rules of the Department will permit it, I hope he will be accepted.
I am, yours, very respectfully,
E. S. DARGAN.
[Inclosure.]
MOBILE, ALA., April 23, 1862.
SIR: I can raise a battalion or regiment of creoles, who are mixed blooded; all of them free under the treaty with France by which Louisiana was acquired. They are mostly property-holders, owning slaves, and a peaceable, orderly class, and capable of doing good service. They are as true to the South as the pure white race. As yet none of them have gone to the war, but have been anxious to do so. If such a battalion or regiment can be received, I can raise it in a few days. Please let me know if such material will be accepted.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. HUGGINS CLEVELAND.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Richmond, Va., May 5, 1862.
Hon. E. S. DARGAN,
Mobile, Ala.:
SIR: Your letter of the 23d ultimo, recommending that authority be granted to G. H. Cleveland to raise a battalion or regiment of creoles, has been received. In reply I have the honor to inform you that the law does not permit the Department to accept any new corps.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. T. BLEDSOE,
Assistant Secretary of Was.
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