- Jul 23, 2018
- 924
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- Country
- United States
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- Non-Denom
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- Married
- Politics
- US-Constitution
“I never did care much for politics, but I've always been for the south. I love the southland”
-Former slave Sam Ward Arkansas Slave Narratives
“Yes mam, de days on de plantation wuz de happy days..he hated de yankees for killing massa Tom. In fact we all hated de yankees”
-Former slave David Blunt North Carolina Slave narratives
Black Support For The Confederacy And Black Confederate Soldiers
“The labor of the colored man supports the rebel solder, enables him to leave his plantation to meet our armies, builds his fortifications, cooks his food, and sometimes aids him on the picket by rare skill with the rifle”
-Federal quarter master General Montgomery Nov 18 1862
The Confederate Army was vastly sustained by black men who drove teams, cooked, foraged, dug fortifications, cared for the wounded, and occasionally took up arms.
-Clyde Wilson is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the University of South Carolina
Tens of thousands of blacks both slave and free supported the confederate cause. Black soldiers who fought for the south's motivations were as wide as whites. Many southern blacks like whites, simply wanted to defend their country from invaders. Many African American slaves and slave owners wanted slavery to continue. Many enslaved blacks liked the institution, or their masters, or just wished to defend their country and either supported or fought for the confederacy. “Their land invaded by hostile foes. Slaves eagerly offered themselves for service in actual warfare.” Some slaves said “If you give us guns we will fight, we would rather fight for our own white folks than for strangers.” As one slave who ran away to union lines, who than came back to the confederates said “If this is freedom, give me slavery forever.” Shelby Fotte records during lees invasion into Pennsylvania in 63 a local house wife asked a north Carolina African American confederate solider if he was treated well, he replied “I live as I will, and if I did not. I think I could't better myself by stopping here”.
“A few colored men, it is said, were actually enrolled and enlisted as soldiers in the confederate army, fighting for their own continued enslavement”
-Quoted in Booker T Washington 1907 p 220-21 Philadelphia Geroge W Jacobs and co publishers
Some free blacks were trying to get in better position in society within the south. Some were defending slavery as a institution as owners, and their own financial well being. One union officer called free blacks that supported the confederacy “Rabid secessionist.” A free black church was described as “Half crazed black secessionists” by a union officer.
“One may get the idea, from what I have said, that there was bitter feeling toward the white people on the part of my race, because of the fact that most of the white population was away fighting in a war which would result in keeping the Negro in slavery if the South was successful. In the case of the slaves on our place this was not true, and it was not true of any large portion of the slave population in the South where the Negro was treated with anything like decency.”
-Booker T Washington up from slavery
Finical Support
Many blacks supported the confederacy in ways not on battle field and “Euthiasim with which many blacks endorsed secession” was great. Mass rallies of blacks were held in St Petersburg and New Orleans at the outbreak of war, offering to construct fortifications for the confederacy. Telling the mayor of St Petersburg “We are willing to aid Virginia cause to the utmost”. It became custom, for slaves to hold balls and concerts and give money. Blacks in Vicksburg Mississippi donated a total of $1,000. Free and slave negroes gave a ball at 50cents a head for support for the confederacy and General Hindman of Arkansas, who stated Blacks “Have displayed much loyalty and patristism in their donations to the confederate cause”. A Texas newspaper Bellville Countryman said slaves sometimes gave more financially than whites did. James Muschett a free store owner in Virginia cheerfully furnished food, cloths and blacksmith services to the confederate government, Later he was imprisoned by the union for being a spy and a confederate sympathizer.
“Black confederate loyalty was more widespread than American historians has acknowledged”
-Ervin Jordan Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil war Virginia
Rich colored plantation owners such as William Ellison donated large sums of money to the confederate cause. Later in the war Ellison switched from a cotton grower to farming to help feed the confederate armies at request of Jefferson Davis. His grandson fought for the regular army of the confederacy as a solider. One Slave brought their own produce of watermelons worth $60 to help feed troops in Alabama. A South Carolina slave gave his life savings of $5. The “Confederate Ethipoian Serenaders” singers used all their funds to finance gunboats and munitions for the Confederacy. Horce King of Alabama gave large sums to the confederate cause including cloths to solders. Just two months before Apamadox blacks gave a dinner to confederate solders in Lousiburg Virginia, free of cost. A fairfax country free black sold 28 acres of land and donated the money to the defense of Virginia. During the war blacks donated to build a monument for Stonewall Jackson.
Information From Black Civilians
“Us was confederates all de while...but de yankees, dey diden't know dat we was confederates”
-Former slave James Gill Arkansas Slave Narratives
Civilian blacks helped with information to confederates or acted as spies. Slave Martin Robinson was hanged for falsely leading the union troops the wrong way during the unions Kilpatrick- Dahlgren raid in 64. Union General Halleck gave his “General order number three” that disallowed any blacks into the union lines because they kept carrying military information back to the confederates. Slave Durrel Hemphil was tortured, tied to a horse, and dragged half mile by shermans bummers and hanged, because he would not give information on his masters money and silverware. Slaves after Bull Run led union soldiers to be captured when they asked the blacks for food. A slave risked his life to show confederate soldiers were some food was [ his master was pro union]. A negro helped Nathan bedford Forrest capture federal Calvary with information helpful to confederates. Another lead federals into a confederate trap. A free black named Goler in 1864 mislead union soldiers and provided food and shelter, only than to get confederates who captured the union solders in the night.
Support from the plantation
“Blacks could have escaped to nearby union lines but few chose to do so, and instead remained at home and became the most essential element in the southern infrastructure to resisting northern invasion”
- Professor Edward C Smith
During the war slaves worked to keep the plantations going with their masters away. As slave Henry Warfeild of warren co Miss said “ "Negroes were used by the Confederates long before they were used by the Union forces. ....and a large number of these fought by the side of their masters or made it possible for the master to fight.". And as US Grant said slaves “worked in the fields and took care of the families while white able body men were at the front fighting”. Richard Taylor son of president Taylor a confederate general said “Wives and little ones remained safe at home, surrounded by thousands of faithful slaves.”
Slaves could have easily left for the north or not worked with the men gone, yet the overwhelming majority worked so the master could leave to fight. Personal letters from wives and family talk of their slave working extra hard and peacefully to support the family. There were many cases were families would have starved if not for the dedicated slave. Often masters put a slave in charge of the family while gone. Surviving letters of the white kids and family tell of how the slaves taught the kids to fish, hunt, ride etc and took over the role of father with the masters gone. Pro confederate black churches in the south prayed for confederate soldiers and the southern cause.
“In order to defend and protect the women and children who were left on the plantations when the white males went to war, the slaves would have laid down their lives. The slave who was selected to sleep in the ” big house ” during the absence of the males was considered to have the place of honour. Any one attempting to harm “young Mistress” or “old Mistress” during the night would have had to cross the dead body of the slave to do so...As a rule, not only did the members of my race entertain no feelings of bitterness against the whites before and during the war, but there are many instances of Negroes tenderly caring for their former masters and mistresses who for some reason have become poor and dependent since the war. I know of instances where the former masters of slaves have for years been supplied with money by their former slaves to keep them from suffering.”
-Booker T Washington up from Slavery
After the CSA officially allowed federal black soldiers. Abraham Lincoln in March 1865 saw the positive of southern blacks fighting in the military “There is one thing about Negros fighting for the rebels... they cannot at the same time fight in their army, and stay home and make bread for them.” Slaves who supported the south would often sing Bonnie Blue Flag to passing by union men or hang old Abe on the sour apple tree.
“All de slaves hate de Yankees an when de southern soldiers came late in de night all de [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]s got out of de bed an holdin torches high dey march behin de soldiers, all of dem singing We'll hang Abe Lincoln on de Sour Apple Tree. yes mam, dey wuz sorry dat dey wuz freeman' dey ain't got no reason tu be glad, case dey wuz happier den dan now”
-Former slave Alice Baugh North Carolina Slave Narratives
Service In the Confederate Military
"The country and the army are mainly dependent upon slave labor for support."
-Georgia Governor Joseph E brown
Both Free and slave southern blacks helped the confederate cause offering their service in any manner. 58,000-60,000 blacks served in confederate army in some non combatant manner, either as cooks, musicians, chaplain, medics, scouts etc. Confederate congress gave equal pay to black servicemen [and solders] from the start of the war, the north did not until late in the war. These men risked life to serve the confederacy and their masters. Also Manual labor was common such as putting up fortification, rebuilding rail etc. Some of the volunteers were described as “Vigorous and energetic”. They received pensions after war and were treated as equal to a white solider in honor, during and after war by confederate solders. But even sometimes the cooks turned into soldiers.
“At the Battle of Fair Oaks near Richmond, a black cook and minister with the Alabama regiment picked up a rifle and was heard yelling, “Der Lor’ hab mercy on us all, boys, here dey comes agin!” As the Alabamians returned fire and mounted a charge, he was heard shouting, “Pitch in white folks, Uncle Pomp’s behind yer. Send them Yankees to de ‘ternal flames!”
-Battlefields of the South. Vol. 2, page 253
Body Servants and personal slaves
“Some slaves felt great loyalty to their masters and asked to be allowed to take up arms to defend what was, after all, their homeland too”
-James Robertson Tenting Tonight the Soldiers Life Time -life Books
“When de big war broke out I sho' stuck to my Marster an' I fit de Yankees same as he did. I went in de battles 'long side of him an' us both fit under Marse Robert E. Lee."
-Former slave Issac Stier Mississippi slave narratives
“Ide rather go wid you ter de war, please sur, massa, let me go wid you ter fight dem yanks... old massa got shot one night an pap grabs de gun fore hit de earth an lets de yanks have it”
-Former slave Herndon Bogan North Carolina slave narratives
Masters often brought along a favorite slave with them to the war. Often they would serve as cooks or general servants, but sometimes, they would be armed and join in the fight. Slave Primus Kelly volunteered and joined the 8th Texas Calvary and joined in the fights. He took his injured white family member home, only to return back to his unit to fight. 12th Virginia Calvary captain George Baylor's two slaves Tom and Overton “picked up arms” and “Joined in the company charges”. Many slaves continued to serve in confederate army even after his master was killed in battle or the slave was set free. Many loyal Slaves often rejected freedom during war, at cost of life or imprisonment by the federals. Servants often were proud of masters ability to fight Yankees “Why mass can whale a dozen of em fore coffee is hot, fair fight”
A slave at Antietam risked his life to pull his master to safety, before than running across the battlefield to the union soldiers and freedom. Many slaves served in prisoner of war camp with his master rather than to give into and join the union. A negro letter to his family back home, thanks god the confederate army was safe, And if he is healthy, he will chose to continue to serve as cook. . There are many accounts of slaves helping their masters risking life own life, or to retrieve their masters body from the field after they were killed, Or of helping wounded confederates and masters during battle. One slave jumped in front of his master to save his life, the slave than being mortally wounded, fought from ground before dying.
"Negroes were used by the Confederates long before they were used by the Union forces. ....and a large number of these fought by the side of their masters “
-Former slave Henry Warfeild Mississippi Slave narratives
In rare occasions masters would send a slave in their place. Like slave Geroge kye said “when the war come along I was a grown man, and I went to serve because old master was to old to go, but he had to send somebody anyways, I served as Geroge Stover”.
“Body servants fought for the south if given the chance and occasionally replaced fainthearted white rebel soldiers”
-Ervin Jordan Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil war Virginia
During the seven days Westley, a body servant, took the weapons from a fainthearted confederate, killing a Yankee with every shot and was “a inspiration to the white soldiers.” These servants were often the most loyal to the confederacy. A servant named Jem was described as a “A black fire eater” strong supporter of succession and fought at first Manasas.
Andrew Chandler of the 44th Mississippi and his body servant Silas Chandler
-Former slave Sam Ward Arkansas Slave Narratives
“Yes mam, de days on de plantation wuz de happy days..he hated de yankees for killing massa Tom. In fact we all hated de yankees”
-Former slave David Blunt North Carolina Slave narratives
Black Support For The Confederacy And Black Confederate Soldiers
“The labor of the colored man supports the rebel solder, enables him to leave his plantation to meet our armies, builds his fortifications, cooks his food, and sometimes aids him on the picket by rare skill with the rifle”
-Federal quarter master General Montgomery Nov 18 1862
The Confederate Army was vastly sustained by black men who drove teams, cooked, foraged, dug fortifications, cared for the wounded, and occasionally took up arms.
-Clyde Wilson is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the University of South Carolina
Tens of thousands of blacks both slave and free supported the confederate cause. Black soldiers who fought for the south's motivations were as wide as whites. Many southern blacks like whites, simply wanted to defend their country from invaders. Many African American slaves and slave owners wanted slavery to continue. Many enslaved blacks liked the institution, or their masters, or just wished to defend their country and either supported or fought for the confederacy. “Their land invaded by hostile foes. Slaves eagerly offered themselves for service in actual warfare.” Some slaves said “If you give us guns we will fight, we would rather fight for our own white folks than for strangers.” As one slave who ran away to union lines, who than came back to the confederates said “If this is freedom, give me slavery forever.” Shelby Fotte records during lees invasion into Pennsylvania in 63 a local house wife asked a north Carolina African American confederate solider if he was treated well, he replied “I live as I will, and if I did not. I think I could't better myself by stopping here”.
“A few colored men, it is said, were actually enrolled and enlisted as soldiers in the confederate army, fighting for their own continued enslavement”
-Quoted in Booker T Washington 1907 p 220-21 Philadelphia Geroge W Jacobs and co publishers
Some free blacks were trying to get in better position in society within the south. Some were defending slavery as a institution as owners, and their own financial well being. One union officer called free blacks that supported the confederacy “Rabid secessionist.” A free black church was described as “Half crazed black secessionists” by a union officer.
“One may get the idea, from what I have said, that there was bitter feeling toward the white people on the part of my race, because of the fact that most of the white population was away fighting in a war which would result in keeping the Negro in slavery if the South was successful. In the case of the slaves on our place this was not true, and it was not true of any large portion of the slave population in the South where the Negro was treated with anything like decency.”
-Booker T Washington up from slavery
Finical Support
Many blacks supported the confederacy in ways not on battle field and “Euthiasim with which many blacks endorsed secession” was great. Mass rallies of blacks were held in St Petersburg and New Orleans at the outbreak of war, offering to construct fortifications for the confederacy. Telling the mayor of St Petersburg “We are willing to aid Virginia cause to the utmost”. It became custom, for slaves to hold balls and concerts and give money. Blacks in Vicksburg Mississippi donated a total of $1,000. Free and slave negroes gave a ball at 50cents a head for support for the confederacy and General Hindman of Arkansas, who stated Blacks “Have displayed much loyalty and patristism in their donations to the confederate cause”. A Texas newspaper Bellville Countryman said slaves sometimes gave more financially than whites did. James Muschett a free store owner in Virginia cheerfully furnished food, cloths and blacksmith services to the confederate government, Later he was imprisoned by the union for being a spy and a confederate sympathizer.
“Black confederate loyalty was more widespread than American historians has acknowledged”
-Ervin Jordan Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil war Virginia
Rich colored plantation owners such as William Ellison donated large sums of money to the confederate cause. Later in the war Ellison switched from a cotton grower to farming to help feed the confederate armies at request of Jefferson Davis. His grandson fought for the regular army of the confederacy as a solider. One Slave brought their own produce of watermelons worth $60 to help feed troops in Alabama. A South Carolina slave gave his life savings of $5. The “Confederate Ethipoian Serenaders” singers used all their funds to finance gunboats and munitions for the Confederacy. Horce King of Alabama gave large sums to the confederate cause including cloths to solders. Just two months before Apamadox blacks gave a dinner to confederate solders in Lousiburg Virginia, free of cost. A fairfax country free black sold 28 acres of land and donated the money to the defense of Virginia. During the war blacks donated to build a monument for Stonewall Jackson.
Information From Black Civilians
“Us was confederates all de while...but de yankees, dey diden't know dat we was confederates”
-Former slave James Gill Arkansas Slave Narratives
Civilian blacks helped with information to confederates or acted as spies. Slave Martin Robinson was hanged for falsely leading the union troops the wrong way during the unions Kilpatrick- Dahlgren raid in 64. Union General Halleck gave his “General order number three” that disallowed any blacks into the union lines because they kept carrying military information back to the confederates. Slave Durrel Hemphil was tortured, tied to a horse, and dragged half mile by shermans bummers and hanged, because he would not give information on his masters money and silverware. Slaves after Bull Run led union soldiers to be captured when they asked the blacks for food. A slave risked his life to show confederate soldiers were some food was [ his master was pro union]. A negro helped Nathan bedford Forrest capture federal Calvary with information helpful to confederates. Another lead federals into a confederate trap. A free black named Goler in 1864 mislead union soldiers and provided food and shelter, only than to get confederates who captured the union solders in the night.
Support from the plantation
“Blacks could have escaped to nearby union lines but few chose to do so, and instead remained at home and became the most essential element in the southern infrastructure to resisting northern invasion”
- Professor Edward C Smith
During the war slaves worked to keep the plantations going with their masters away. As slave Henry Warfeild of warren co Miss said “ "Negroes were used by the Confederates long before they were used by the Union forces. ....and a large number of these fought by the side of their masters or made it possible for the master to fight.". And as US Grant said slaves “worked in the fields and took care of the families while white able body men were at the front fighting”. Richard Taylor son of president Taylor a confederate general said “Wives and little ones remained safe at home, surrounded by thousands of faithful slaves.”
Slaves could have easily left for the north or not worked with the men gone, yet the overwhelming majority worked so the master could leave to fight. Personal letters from wives and family talk of their slave working extra hard and peacefully to support the family. There were many cases were families would have starved if not for the dedicated slave. Often masters put a slave in charge of the family while gone. Surviving letters of the white kids and family tell of how the slaves taught the kids to fish, hunt, ride etc and took over the role of father with the masters gone. Pro confederate black churches in the south prayed for confederate soldiers and the southern cause.
“In order to defend and protect the women and children who were left on the plantations when the white males went to war, the slaves would have laid down their lives. The slave who was selected to sleep in the ” big house ” during the absence of the males was considered to have the place of honour. Any one attempting to harm “young Mistress” or “old Mistress” during the night would have had to cross the dead body of the slave to do so...As a rule, not only did the members of my race entertain no feelings of bitterness against the whites before and during the war, but there are many instances of Negroes tenderly caring for their former masters and mistresses who for some reason have become poor and dependent since the war. I know of instances where the former masters of slaves have for years been supplied with money by their former slaves to keep them from suffering.”
-Booker T Washington up from Slavery
After the CSA officially allowed federal black soldiers. Abraham Lincoln in March 1865 saw the positive of southern blacks fighting in the military “There is one thing about Negros fighting for the rebels... they cannot at the same time fight in their army, and stay home and make bread for them.” Slaves who supported the south would often sing Bonnie Blue Flag to passing by union men or hang old Abe on the sour apple tree.
“All de slaves hate de Yankees an when de southern soldiers came late in de night all de [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]s got out of de bed an holdin torches high dey march behin de soldiers, all of dem singing We'll hang Abe Lincoln on de Sour Apple Tree. yes mam, dey wuz sorry dat dey wuz freeman' dey ain't got no reason tu be glad, case dey wuz happier den dan now”
-Former slave Alice Baugh North Carolina Slave Narratives
Service In the Confederate Military
"The country and the army are mainly dependent upon slave labor for support."
-Georgia Governor Joseph E brown
Both Free and slave southern blacks helped the confederate cause offering their service in any manner. 58,000-60,000 blacks served in confederate army in some non combatant manner, either as cooks, musicians, chaplain, medics, scouts etc. Confederate congress gave equal pay to black servicemen [and solders] from the start of the war, the north did not until late in the war. These men risked life to serve the confederacy and their masters. Also Manual labor was common such as putting up fortification, rebuilding rail etc. Some of the volunteers were described as “Vigorous and energetic”. They received pensions after war and were treated as equal to a white solider in honor, during and after war by confederate solders. But even sometimes the cooks turned into soldiers.
“At the Battle of Fair Oaks near Richmond, a black cook and minister with the Alabama regiment picked up a rifle and was heard yelling, “Der Lor’ hab mercy on us all, boys, here dey comes agin!” As the Alabamians returned fire and mounted a charge, he was heard shouting, “Pitch in white folks, Uncle Pomp’s behind yer. Send them Yankees to de ‘ternal flames!”
-Battlefields of the South. Vol. 2, page 253
Body Servants and personal slaves
“Some slaves felt great loyalty to their masters and asked to be allowed to take up arms to defend what was, after all, their homeland too”
-James Robertson Tenting Tonight the Soldiers Life Time -life Books
“When de big war broke out I sho' stuck to my Marster an' I fit de Yankees same as he did. I went in de battles 'long side of him an' us both fit under Marse Robert E. Lee."
-Former slave Issac Stier Mississippi slave narratives
“Ide rather go wid you ter de war, please sur, massa, let me go wid you ter fight dem yanks... old massa got shot one night an pap grabs de gun fore hit de earth an lets de yanks have it”
-Former slave Herndon Bogan North Carolina slave narratives
Masters often brought along a favorite slave with them to the war. Often they would serve as cooks or general servants, but sometimes, they would be armed and join in the fight. Slave Primus Kelly volunteered and joined the 8th Texas Calvary and joined in the fights. He took his injured white family member home, only to return back to his unit to fight. 12th Virginia Calvary captain George Baylor's two slaves Tom and Overton “picked up arms” and “Joined in the company charges”. Many slaves continued to serve in confederate army even after his master was killed in battle or the slave was set free. Many loyal Slaves often rejected freedom during war, at cost of life or imprisonment by the federals. Servants often were proud of masters ability to fight Yankees “Why mass can whale a dozen of em fore coffee is hot, fair fight”
A slave at Antietam risked his life to pull his master to safety, before than running across the battlefield to the union soldiers and freedom. Many slaves served in prisoner of war camp with his master rather than to give into and join the union. A negro letter to his family back home, thanks god the confederate army was safe, And if he is healthy, he will chose to continue to serve as cook. . There are many accounts of slaves helping their masters risking life own life, or to retrieve their masters body from the field after they were killed, Or of helping wounded confederates and masters during battle. One slave jumped in front of his master to save his life, the slave than being mortally wounded, fought from ground before dying.
"Negroes were used by the Confederates long before they were used by the Union forces. ....and a large number of these fought by the side of their masters “
-Former slave Henry Warfeild Mississippi Slave narratives
In rare occasions masters would send a slave in their place. Like slave Geroge kye said “when the war come along I was a grown man, and I went to serve because old master was to old to go, but he had to send somebody anyways, I served as Geroge Stover”.
“Body servants fought for the south if given the chance and occasionally replaced fainthearted white rebel soldiers”
-Ervin Jordan Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil war Virginia
During the seven days Westley, a body servant, took the weapons from a fainthearted confederate, killing a Yankee with every shot and was “a inspiration to the white soldiers.” These servants were often the most loyal to the confederacy. A servant named Jem was described as a “A black fire eater” strong supporter of succession and fought at first Manasas.
Andrew Chandler of the 44th Mississippi and his body servant Silas Chandler