Robert E Lee 1
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- Jul 3, 2019
I'm aware of the 54th Massachusetts unit for the Union but did any Black confederate units exist
Alright thanks , I think Robert E Lee got Jefferson Davis to finally legalize that around late 1864 if I remember correctly .recruitment of blacks was illegal in the Confederate States, that changed late in the war and attracted few black volunteers, to little too late. Some blacks may have managed to pass ,even more that went to war as servants took active part in combat.
There were something like 180.000 US colored Troops...I'm aware of the 54th Massachusetts unit for the Union but did any Black confederate units exist
CSA law did not allow colored men to enlist until the very end of the war. (March 1865)Alright thanks , I think Robert E Lee got Jefferson Davis to finally legalize that around late 1864 if I remember correctly .
CSA law did not allow colored men to enlist until the very end of the war. (March 1865)
(exceptions was done for musicians.).......colored men did manage to serve and even fight despite it being illegal.
I do also think it more common out west.True, there were individual black men in Confederate combat units that were sure enough combat soldiers and not cooks, teamsters, or musicians. I believe this happened mostly (exclusively?) in the western theatre.
That is different from Confederate units of black men in combat roles.
But like this same group's name also implied, it's large number comprised all-Negro troops who'd been self-organized, then recognized and duly authorized exclusively by and for Union loyalties as men of war. Not workhorses used by rebel forces.There were something like 180.000 US colored Troops...
True. And by then, it was far too late. None of those very few 100 or so Negroes ever saw one day in live combat, when Lee surrendered and thus rendered them moot anyway.CSA law did not allow colored men to enlist until the very end ...
There were no such groups I'm aware of except one you make reference to that began as Louisiana's 1st Native Guard. Troops were free light-skinned Creole men of affluent origin whose personal views were sympathetic to rebels' position. But when rebels went against them by law to forbid assistance from Black men, many did likewise and switched sides to become USCT's then new 73d Infantry Regiment.Some CSA states did have colored men in their state militias early in the war.
100% right on each count, especially the first one about rebel persistence in staunch resistance to giving their 'natural inferiors' any right to bear arms for any cause whatsoever, including a fight against fellow white men like them. This brings two more things to mind, one of which I find a highly ironic twist in this sad tale of rebel woe and sorrow. 1) Colored men fought "here and there" had no genuine loyalty to rebel oppressors on general principles. Insead, their role was mere lackeys thought happy blackeys to go step, fetch or catch hell or tread high water on command they "dare not disobey," per Union Gen. Ben Butler. Although some Black men no doubt felt sincere affection for lifelong "masters" who were often blood kin and thus relative "gentlemen" adult captors, this is quite different from intense passion to fight against wrong. Ditto for rebels who held fast to their past view that black skin marks one as beast of burden from birth for no purpose but service to white men. Below is just one ideal case study from real life:CSA officers asked permission to enlist colored men as soldiers (but) refused every single time. ...here and there, colored men did serve and even fight (for rebels) despite it being illegal.
Of course not. How could they after refusing to let one slave become first true soldier of his kind anyway? Beside this, rebel pride was too wounded from gross oversight that cost a hard fight lost vs. won by refusal to utilize their best asset used for Union victory instead. So, what else should we expect them to have done in such grim circumstances? By then, slaves who'd become real soldiers had been formidable foes proven worthy of fear and respect - not good cheer to accept with open arms as full citizens.Even at the end of the War the Confederate Congress could not accept freeing slaves who became soldiers.
There were a small number of individual blacks who fought for the Confederacy, although it was technically illegal.
Yes, he is quite a rare specimen among very few Black man who managed to gain true respect from white men back in his day when it was a social faux pas. By credible reports, Holt's success is due credit to exceptional high prowess on big game hunts where social rank and taboo caste and class issues were temporarily cast aside. This left nothing but intrepidness and skill as twin criteria to win acceptance. Holt Collier played his role so well to gain honor among all men as hunter and trusted guide with no regard to race. But an often neglected fact is that fellow Black men also opted to follow his footsteps in efforts to become accepted. Most failed dismally despite how much their attempts truly excelled by fair standards. Yet, they do explain why so many of them put forth such efforts in the first place. As historian Edmund Drago aptly notes: Underaged white boys in a slave society circumscribed by codes of chivalry and honor, knew Civil War service was their ticket to manhood, freedom and glory they could not reject. So, many white adolescent males ran away from home to escape parental objection to their eager enlistment effort.Holt Collier is the one I am most familiar with and mentioned a few times before on similar threads. Collier was the exception though, not the rule.
Quite ironically, many white rebels had no fear that any Black man presumed "too dumb" to use a gun against them or Union troops who may come pay an unwelcome visit. So, I give "Massa Jeff" slight credit for a show of common sense to decry Abe's EP as "most execrable measure in the history of guilty man.” He followed with solemn vow to enslave or execute any Black POW on the spot. His guarantee for summary lethal correction also extended to white commanders who "incite servile insurrection." So, head ex-confed honcho at least knew the true nature of a beast he was up against. If only he hadn't refused to deny it but used it for his own self interests ...The unanswered question was if Confederates gave blacks weapons, who would the weapons be used against?