13.1 African Americans in the Union and Confederate Armies

African Americans played a crucial role in the Civil War, fighting for both the Union and Confederate armies. The formation of the United States Colored Troops in 1863 allowed 180,000 Black men to enlist, showcasing their bravery in major battles despite facing discrimination and unequal pay.

The Confederacy also attempted to utilize Black manpower, primarily for non-combat roles. The Louisiana Native Guards, initially serving the Confederacy, later switched allegiance to the Union. Black soldiers made significant contributions in battles like Fort Pillow and Petersburg, while 20,000 African Americans served in the Union Navy.

United States Colored Troops (USCT)

Formation and Significance of USCT

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• United States Colored Troops established in 1863 allowed African Americans to serve in the Union Army
• Approximately 180,000 African American men enlisted in the USCT throughout the Civil War
• USCT units fought in major battles and campaigns demonstrating bravery and skill in combat
• 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment became one of the most famous USCT units led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
• 54th Massachusetts participated in the assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina on July 18, 1863
• Fort Wagner attack resulted in heavy casualties for the 54th Massachusetts but showcased their courage and determination

Challenges and Inequalities Faced by Black Soldiers

• Black soldiers initially received lower pay than white soldiers ($10 per month compared to$13 for white soldiers)
• Pay disparity sparked protests and refusals to accept unequal wages among USCT units
• Congress passed legislation in 1864 granting equal pay to all soldiers regardless of race
• Black soldiers faced discrimination in promotions and assignments within the Union Army
• USCT units often assigned to manual labor and support roles rather than combat positions
• Frederick Douglass actively recruited African American men to join the Union Army
• Douglass emphasized military service as a path to citizenship and equal rights for African Americans

Confederate Recruitment of Black Soldiers

Confederate Attempts to Utilize Black Manpower

• Confederate Labor Act of 1864 authorized the use of enslaved African Americans for non-combat roles in the Confederate Army
• Act allowed for the impressment of up to 20,000 enslaved individuals for military labor
• Confederate government debated the possibility of arming enslaved individuals as soldiers late in the war
• General Patrick Cleburne proposed arming slaves in exchange for freedom but faced strong opposition
• Confederate Congress passed a bill in March 1865 allowing for the enlistment of black soldiers but had little practical effect

Louisiana Native Guards and Black Confederate Service

• Louisiana Native Guards formed in New Orleans in 1861 as a militia unit of free men of color
• Initially served the Confederacy but later switched allegiance to the Union after New Orleans fell
• Some enslaved individuals served as body servants or laborers for Confederate officers
• Limited number of free blacks in the South voluntarily joined Confederate forces early in the war
• Debate continues among historians about the extent and nature of black Confederate service

Black Soldiers in Union Battles

Significant Engagements and Contributions

• Battle of Fort Pillow in Tennessee on April 12, 1864 involved USCT units defending the fort
• Confederate forces under Nathan Bedford Forrest captured Fort Pillow resulting in high casualties among black soldiers
• Allegations of a massacre of surrendering black soldiers at Fort Pillow fueled controversy and Union propaganda
• USCT units participated in the Siege of Petersburg and the Battle of the Crater in 1864
• Black soldiers played crucial roles in the Battles of New Market Heights and Deep Bottom in Virginia

African Americans in Naval Operations

• Approximately 20,000 African Americans served in the Union Navy during the Civil War
• Black sailors integrated into naval crews more readily than their army counterparts
• African American sailors served on various types of vessels (ironclads, gunboats, supply ships)
• Black naval personnel performed roles such as gunners, pilots, and cooks aboard Union ships
• Notable black sailors included Robert Smalls who commandeered a Confederate ship and delivered it to Union forces