A large number of blacks served in the Confederate Army as soldiers. Historians and students of history agree that blacks served by the thousands in the Confederate Army, but they will dispute, however, that these blacks served as soldiers, and will dismiss their service as that of servants attached to the Army. However, that is not the case. Both blacks and native Americans fought in combat for the Confederate Army. Free men of color were property owners and had as much to lose as the white soldiers they fought beside.
Steve Perry, a.k.a. “Uncle Steve Eberhart,” c. 1934.
As many know, black men were a fairly common sight at Confederate soldiers’ reunions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Photographs from these reunions are evidence of their service and acceptance in the Confederacy.
Of course some were teamsters, cooks or even musicians and drummers etc. but, never the less gave faithful service to the Confederacy.
Arguments concerning the role that blacks played in the Confederate army continue to this day. Pundits still contend the degree of contributions made by blacks, in addition to disputing the actual numbers of those freed men or slaves who served with their white southern counterparts.
With the surviving documents, veteran’s personal accounts and affidavits, official records, and periodicals, it is however remarkable that many want to ‘cover up’ or just deny that southern blacks would serve in, and later be proud of participating in the Confederate army.
As many know, black men were a fairly common sight at Confederate soldiers’ reunions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Photographs from these reunions are evidence of their service and acceptance in the Confederacy.
Of course some were teamsters, cooks or even musicians and drummers etc. but, never the less gave faithful service to the Confederacy.
Arguments concerning the role that blacks played in the Confederate army continue to this day. Pundits still contend the degree of contributions made by blacks, in addition to disputing the actual numbers of those freed men or slaves who served with their white southern counterparts.
With the surviving documents, veteran’s personal accounts and affidavits, official records, and periodicals, it is however remarkable that many want to ‘cover up’ or just deny that southern blacks would serve in, and later be proud of participating in the Confederate army.
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