Did Black Southerners Support the Confederacy?

Battalion

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SOUTH CAROLINA

The Work Goes Bravely On.--We learn that 150 able-bodied free colored men, of Charleston, yesterday offered their services gratuitously to the Governor, to hasten forward the important work of throwing up redoubts wherever needed along our coast.
 
Charleston Mercury, January 3, 1861

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We learn that a large number of free colored men of Columbia have offered their services, through the Mayor, to the Governor of the State. They say that to South Carolina do they owe allegiance, and to her do they look for protection, and they are willing to serve her in any capacity they may be assigned. -Columbia South Carolinian, January 13

Daily Constitutionalist (Augusta, GA), January 19, 1861

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To the Editors of the Charleston Courier:

Honored Sirs:--At a meeting of the free colored men of this city, held by consent of his Honor the Mayor, we were appointed a Committee to wait upon the free colored people and solicit subscriptions for the sick and wounded soldiers of the State now in Virginia.

The Committee, in pursuance of their mission, collected four hundred dollars, and would mention that they received the liberal donation of fifty dollars from the Brown Fellowship Society of this city, through their President, for the same purpose; making a total of four hundred and fifty dollars.

We would respectfully ask you to receive the said enclosed amount, and appropriate it in such a manner as will best subserve our wishes.

We are confident that if this were the busy season of the year the amount reported would have been much larger. Though their proffered services had been somewhat beneficial to the State, many not only subscribed to the various lists previously in circulation, but freely gave us their means.

Attached to the land of our birth, and feeling indebted to our beloved State and City for whatever of protection, patronage and happiness we enjoy, we esteem it a great privilege to evince our sympathy for our brave and sacrificing defenders.

We cannot, honored sirs, convey to you a better idea of the sentiment of our people than the following resolutions, adopted by them unanimously at the meeting above mentioned:


1. Resolved, That we witness with feelings of emulation the gifts that are now being laid upon the altar of the cause of the sick and wounded soldiers of this State now in Virginia.

2. Resolved, That a Committee of six be appointed to receive contributions for this purpose, and to use their discretion in transmitting the same.

With great respect, we remain Your obedient servants,

Samuel Weston, Chairman,
Robert Howard,
J. M. F. Dereef,
Anthony Weston,
Jacob Weston,
J. U. Dereef, } Committee.

We acknowledge receipt of the sum of $450...and shall give their liberal donation a proper application.

It is just to state that many of these contributors have also rendered service and labor, and are willing to do and give all they can in behalf of the State and City and their defenders.

Charleston Courier, September 3, 1861

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The Soldier’s Relief Association of Grahamville, South Carolina…are most pleased to record a donation of $19.28 from the servants of the village, the result of a Supper gotten up by them "for the benefit of our young masters in Virginia." Such instances of loyalty deserve all worthy mention, and these servants have the hearty thanks of the Association.

Charleston Courier, November 26, 1861

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Gunboat Fund-
…The men of the Palmetto State, too, caught the generous infection and emulated the women in the liberality of their donations in money and in kind—planters largely contributing their cotton, and tendering live oak timber and lumber, and the free colored man and the slave figuring in the list of donors. Yes, male and female, bond and free, young and old, rich and poor, all came up to the help of our metropolis against the mighty foe; and the result is a gunboat fund exceeding the large sum of $80,000; and "the cry is still they come."

Charleston Mercury, October 17, 1862

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Charleston Fire Department, Chief Engineer’s Office, Charleston, November 20, 1862.

Hon. C. Macbeth, Mayor:
Dear Sir:--In accordance with your order to me, under date of 15th October, to organize the free colored persons between the ages of 18 and 45 to man the City Engines, I have the honor to report that I have accomplished the same, and take much pleasure in informing you that they have come forward in the most willing manner, and that they have expressed themselves pleased at being called on in the present emergency to do any duty the authorities may feel disposed to put them at. They have enrolled 217 young men, and 43 over the age of 45. The 217 have been apportioned to Engines Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, and are now in service. Should you desire their names, I shall be pleased to furnish them to you at any time.

With great respect, Your obedient servant, M. H. Nathan, Chief of the Fire Department.

Charleston Courier, November 28, 1862
 
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