Download AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR

AFRICAN-AMERICAN
SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL
WAR
African American Soldiers
• Emancipation Proclamation not only freed
slaves, but allowed African Americans to enlist
in U.S. Army
• African American rushed to join the Army
• By the end of the war, about 180,000 black
soldiers fought for the Union
• About 10% of the Union Army
• Blacks did “help” out the Rebels too
– Some had roles as cooks, and nurses
– Most slaves tried to hurt the Rebels by slowing
down their production, which meant less money for
the South
African American Soldiers
• African American Soldiers were organized in allblack regiments
– Regiments called – “United State Colored Troops”
• Black regiments were usually led by white officers
• Black soldiers were usually given the worst jobs and
paid less compared to white soldiers
– Faced many racial prejudices
– Some were given combat roles, whereas many were
given non-combat roles, such as cooks, laborers,
teamsters
– Paid $10 per month, minus $3 for clothing (Whites were
paid $13 per month, with no clothing fee
• Blacks soldiers still showed great courage and pride
Recruitment Posters
The 54th Massachusetts
• One of the 1st and most famous African
American regiment in the North
• 54th offered to fight without pay
• Regiment included two sons of Frederick
Douglas
The 54th Massachusetts
• Most known for its
heroic attack on Fort
Wagner, SC
• Result of the battle
increased African
American enlistment
• The risk of Blacks
fighting included:
– Usually not taken as
prisoners
– Often shot by Rebels
or returned to slavery