Research Counting the Confederate Service Records of Black and Mulatto Men

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a.k.a. The "Black Confederate Count" Thread...

The subject of black and mulatto men serving with, alongside, and/or in the Confederate Army is a controversial one.

This thread was originated by former CWT member, jgoodguy. While most threads at CivilWarTalk are created for discussion, this one is strictly a research thread. As such, it is intended to provide a place for the compilation of documentation related to black and mulatto men for whom Confederate service records exist.

Please confine your participation to the posting of entries, in the format outlined below, along with documentation/evidence of at least one of the types specified below.

1. A separate entry should be created for each individual; one person per post.

2. FORMAT for entries. Each entry must include the following text:
  • Name
  • Rank
  • Race or description (black, mulatto,"negro","colored", etc.)
  • Unit Designation
  • Type of evidence provided (CSR, Muster Roll, Pension, etc.; see acceptable types of evidence below.)
  • Combatant or non-combatant, if known.
3. EVIDENCE. Include link directly to, or insert an image of documentation into post.

4. If desired, additional information related to the individual, such as US Census records, Freedmen’s Bureau records, and USCT records may be posted in addition to at least one of the specified types of documentation/evidence.

Acceptable types of documentation/evidence:
  • roster
  • muster roll
  • parole paper
  • compiled service records
  • “carded records” from the National Archives or Fold3
  • pension applications and official communication related to applicants and/or pensioners
  • Other "official" documents
Unless specifically addressed by period documents, it is not the intent of this thread to speculate on motivations; whether these men volunteered, were conscripted, or were forced into service; whether or not they supported certain causes; or status, whether free or enslaved. If you’d like to discuss these questions, you’ll find plenty of other threads here at CivilWarTalk dedicated to those topics.

Thank you in advance for complying with the intent of this thread.

================================

Results as of August 3, 2018 by @lelliott19
Wrapping It Up (at least for now)

@jgoodguy started this project exactly 6 months ago today. During that time, entries have been posted for over 700 men, according to the rules he established for this thread. A lot of time has been dedicated to actively seeking the records for black and mulatto men for whom CSA records exist. @19thGeorgia @east tennessee roots @Andersonh1 @AshleyMel and I have decided that it is time for us to return to our own primary research interests, which we have neglected while working on this project. Tonight, we have posted the last of the cards that we had saved.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed data and to those who followed along, clicked the "like" button when you were moved by a particular record, and/or expressed your support for the project. Thank you to those who provided additional information and corrections. We have enjoyed working on this project and felt it important to inform everyone of our "semi-retirement." As I said in another thread the other day, if nothing else has been added to the understanding, at least some underutilized resources have been brought to light.

There are plenty more black and mulatto men with CSA records to be found. We have only worked on a few pages of the Freedmen's Bureau records for one city (Savannah, GA) - which means we have only scratched the surface of what is available. There are many more pages for Savannah and many more Freedmen's Bureau hospital and land records for other cities. While these present exciting "new" resources, those of us who have been working on this project for the last 6 months are unable to dedicate additional time to the project right now.

As we run across carded records for additional men, we may still add them occasionally. But we will no longer actively seek records to post here. We hope that others might continue work on this important project. We will, of course, continue to update the spreadsheet and rank counts periodically.

Thank you again for your interest in the project.
080218-jpg.jpg

@unionblue updated rank/detail count

Recorded as Deserted = 4%

rank-count-deserted-jpg.jpg


chart-rank-deserted-of-28-jpg.jpg




Recorded as Captured and Prisoners of War = 6.25%
rank-count-captured-jpg.jpg


chart-rank-of-captured-pow-jpg.jpg





Recorded as Died as POW = 1% of total sample; 16% of those captured
rank-count-died-pow-jpg.jpg


chart-rank-died-pow-jpg.jpg




Recorded as Wounded (including mortally) = 5.5%

rank-count-wounded-jpg.jpg


chart-rank-wounded-jpg.jpg





Recorded as Died of disease or unknown cause = 3.25%
(Sorry chart should read "Died of disease OR unknown cause")
rank-count-died-disease-jpg.jpg


chart-rank-died-of-disease-or-unknown-jpg.jpg

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If you'd like to discuss the contents of this thread, please check out the Discussion Thread!
 
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