Black Soldiers in the Civil War - 964 Words

The Fight for Equal Rights: Black Soldiers in the Civil War Historical Background Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship. Ââ€"Frederick Douglass The issues of emancipation and military service were intertwined from the onset of the Civil War. News from Fort Sumter set off a rush by free black men to enlist in U.S. military units. They were turned away, however, because a Federal law dating from 1792 barred Negroes from bearing arms for the U.S. army (although they had served in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812). In†¦show more content†¦The July 1863 assault on Fort Wagner, SC, in which the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers lost two-thirds of their officers and half of their troops, was memorably dramatized in the film Glory. By wars end, 16 black soldiers had been awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor. In addition to the perils of war faced by all Civil War soldiers, black soldiers faced additional problems stemming from racial prejudice. Racial discrimination was prevalent even in the North, and discriminatory practices permeated the U.S. military. Segregated units were formed with black enlisted men and typically commanded by white officers and black noncommissioned officers. The 54th Massachusetts was commanded by Robert Shaw and the 1st South Carolina by Thomas Wentworth HigginsonÂâ€"both white. Black soldiers were initially paid $10 per month from which $3 was automatically deducted for clothing, resulting in a net pay of $7. In contrast, white soldiers received $13 per month from which no clothing allowance was drawn. In June 1864 Congress granted equal pay to the U.S. Colored Troops and made the action retroactive. Black soldiers received the same rations and supplies. In addition, they received comparable medical care. The black troops, however, faced greater peril than white troops when captured by the Confederate Army. In 1863 the Confederate Congress threatened to punish severely officers of black troops and to enslave black soldiers. As a result, President LincolnShow MoreRelatedWomen in Civil War1004 Words   |  5 PagesWomen, Slaves, and Free Blacks in the Civil War What roles did the Northern women play in the war effort on the Union side during the Civil War? What roles did the Southern women play in the war effort on the Confederate side during the Civil War? How did the war affect each group? â€Å"There were just shy of 400 documented cases of women who served as soldiers during the Civil War, according to the records of the Sanitary Commission.† (Brown, 2012) Women during the 19th century, according toRead MoreAfrican American Soldiers During The Civil War902 Words   |  4 Pages10 10 April 2015 African American Soldiers African-Americans served in the Civil War on both the Union and Confederate sides. In the Union Army, over 179,000 African American men served in over 160 units. More served with both the Union and Confederate units. This includes both northern free African Americans and runaway slaves from the South who enlisted to fight. By 1865, the South allowed slaves to enlist, but very few actually did. During the Civil War, blacks were treated like trash comparedRead MoreAlly Bireley. Mr. Cone. Apush - 1St. 24 February 2017.1427 Words   |  6 PagesSoldier’s Tale Amongst almost 3 million Civil War soldiers, over 600,000 lost their lives defending their notions of freedom and liberty in America. Approximately two-thirds of these soldiers, nonetheless, died from disease rather than wounds received on the battlefield. Lack of efficient medicine and health care caused much more impacting damage, as well as scarce, not up-to-date resources, and social divisions between the soldiers. Typically, an average Civil War soldier could expect to face extreme hardshipsRead More Black Militia’s Formation Essay example1580 Words   |  7 Pagesof slavery and state’s rights, the Louisiana black militia’s formation and involvement during the Civil War was not one without strife. The Union and Confederacy were both divergent in issues regarding the black population. It was only innate the black population would assist in the struggle which would determine their future to be free from subrogation. In order to review the history of the Civil War, it is only practical to view the involvement of black men during this struggle. James G. HollandsworthRead MoreGlory Movie Analysis Essay636 Words   |  3 Pagesactions on the black troops. At the beginning of the Civil War, African Americans were not allowed to serve in the U.S. military. By the summer of 1862 it was clear that additional troops were needed. To meet the need, Congress passed two bills that allowed the participation of black soldiers in the Union Army. The Government established segregated units called The Bureau of Colored Troops. The measure lacked popular support and the U.S. Army did not begin recruiting black soldiers until 1863. OneRead MoreThe Civil War : The United States909 Words   |  4 PagesThe Civil War was one of the most pivotal and significant moments in the history of the United States of America. Therefore, its impact of the Civil War was tremendous, and in many ways has shaped the way the United States has evolved into the present. The Civil War brought lots of beneficial changes to America including economic, agriculture, military, and people’s lives. During the Civil War, women stepped out of their domestic domains to help or support their husbands in the field, or other soldiersRead MoreThe Segregation Of Black Soldiers996 Words   |  4 Pagesbecame a symbol of hope for black people, who for many years were subjected to the maltreatment and prejudices by their fellow man. This was evident in the inequalities of black soldiers within the Union army, in which it was still commonly complacent during the Civil War. The Union’s practices of denying black soldiers the opportunity of a commission as an officer, paying them less than their fellow white counterparts, allowing them to face harsher treatment as prisoners of war and most profoundly wasRead MoreThe Battle Of Fort Wagner1421 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican-American unit in the Civil War) Note: The Battle of Fort Wagner - exemplifies the greatest contributions of Black soldiers during the Civil War o Displayed extreme heroism in assault on Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, in July 1863 †¢ â€Å". . . In the face of heavy odds, black troops had proved once again their courage, determination, and willingness to die for the freedom of their race† McPherson, â€Å"The Negro’s Civil War† (pages 192-195) o Many causalities – black soldiers repeatedly riskedRead More Buffalo Soldiers in the West Essay1146 Words   |  5 PagesBuffalo Soldiers in the West Throughout American history, African Americans haven’t had too much say in whether or not they belonged in the United States or not. Slavery without a doubt had a great impact upon their decisions. However, despite their troubles, African Americans have paid their dues and have made an impact on our armed forces since the Revolutionary War. African Americans have fought to preserve the rights for Americans, as well as having to fight the war within their very own countryRead MoreThe Battle Of The American Civil War1140 Words   |  5 Pagesthe famous American Civil War began, citizens from all over the United states fought against one another. The war pitted brother against brother in a fight primarily over the freedom of slaves. The majority of soldiers in the Civil War were white especially those serving the southern regiments, however African Americans served as well. The black regiments of the military during the civil were successful and essential. These African American s were referred to as Buffalo Soldiers, a name given to them