The American Civil War was the conflict between the Union (northern states) and the Confederacy (southern states) in the United States. The Civil War was fought not only for the preservation of the Union, but largely for the abolition of slavery across the entire United States. The Civil war began on April 12, 1861 and ended on April 9, 1865. Approximately 180,000 African Americans, both free men and runaway slaves, served in 166 units of the Union Army during the Civil War. It has also been estimated that 65,000 African American soldiers participated with the Confederate Army, of whom 13, 000 fought in combat. Mass enlistment of African Americans began immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
African Americans began to present themselves to the Union Army in 1861 and were initially turned away. It was considered unnecessary to recruit African Americans and, more important doing so would drive a wedge between the federal government and the slave-owning border states. This move did little to discourage African Americans who wanted to fight with the Union Army for the freedom of their compatriots in the South and to prove to the nation that they were full citizens. The situation was further confused by the increasing numbers of runaway slaves presenting themselves to Union troops after successfully passing through Confederate lines.
A considerable number of African Americans also served for
the Confederate States of America. From the beginning some Southerners
called for the deployment of African Americans to help remedy the disparity of white man power between the North and the South. The African Americans that represented the Confederate armed forces were largely ignored and only individuals operating either as substitutes or servants in regular Confederate regiments.
Sites to Search:
The Civil War Home Page: This is a private website owned and continually updated by Michael Frosch. This website contains thousands of pages of Civil War material including Photos, Images, Battles, Documents, Southern Historical Papers, Troops Furnished, Death Stats, Associations, Letters & Diaries, Census of 1860, Maps, Official Records, Message Board, Dyer's Compendium, Fox's Regimental Losses, Regimental Histories, Genealogy, Biographical Information, and Reenacting and Unit Information.
African American soldiers during the Civil War: From the Library of Congress, this is a learning page that offers original historical documents such as letters, wrightings, addresses, and photographs of African American soldiers during the Civil War.
The Emancipation Proclamation: From the National Archives and Records Administration featured documents, this allows the user to view scanned images of the original Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. The Proclamation stated that all persons held in bondage in states of the Confederacy would be free.
United States Colored Troops: From the Camp William Penn Headquarters in Pennsylvania, this is a website detailing the different regiments within the Union Army that were known as the United States Colored Troops. It offers information on the history of each specific regiment, battles and services, and total losses.
A Brief History of the United States Colored Troops: From Black Camisards, Inc.This website offers a brief history of the USTC during the Civil War.
The Valley of the Shadow: From the University of Virginia, this is an archival website that includes letters and diaries, newspapers, photographs, maps, records, and other primary source documents about two communities in Virgina during the Civil War, including African American soldiers.
Civil War Photographs: From the American Memory Collection by the Library of Congress, this is a website that offers original photographs of African American soldiers during the Civil War.
Frederick Douglass' involvement during the Civil War: From the Library of Congress' American Library Collection, this website summarizes the important role African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass during the war. It includes copies of original letters written to President Lincoln, photographs, and a complete biography of the man himself.
Sergeant William Harvey Carney: Sergeant William H. Carney was the first African American in United States history to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his selfless heroic efforts during the Civil War. This page gives a historical overview of Carney's participation in the war, as well as a brief biography of his life. It includes paintings, photographs, and copies of original military documents.
1st Kansas Colored (Volunteers) Infantry Regiment: From the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, this is a page devoted to the history of first African American troops in the Civil War to actually engage in combat.
Buffalo Soldiers: This is a website devoted to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers made up the 9th and 10th Calvary regiments in the United States Army from the Civil War until the Korean War. They served mostly during peacetime as escorts.
Library of Congress