Stories

While at the onset of the Civil War African American's were only allowed to serve in the United States Navy this would change after Abraham Lincoln had time to think and look at the issue. On July 17, 1862, Congress passed two acts allowing the enlistment of African-Americans, but official enrollment occurred only after the September 1862 issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, these black units would be called United States Colored Troops (USCT). In general, white soldiers and officers believed that black men lacked the courage to fight and fight well. In October, 1862, African-American soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers silenced their critics by repulsing attacking Confederates at the Battle of Island Mound, Missouri. By August, 1863, 14 USCT Regiments were in the field and ready for service, while the 54th and their actions at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner receive most of the glory, there were many battles and soldiers who deserve their story told as well. Below you will find a short list of some of these conflicts, those were served and their notable actions.

Battle of Port Hudson, Louisiana. On May 27, 1863, the African-American soldiers bravely advanced over open ground in the face of deadly artillery fire. Although the attack failed, the black solders proved their capability to withstand the heat of battle.

Honey Springs, Indian Territory, Oklahoma. On July 17,1863, the 1st Kansas Colored fought with courage again. Union troops under General James Blunt ran into a strong Confederate force under General Douglas Cooper. After a two-hour bloody engagement, Cooper's soldiers retreated. The 1st Kansas, which had held the center of the Union line, advanced to within fifty paces of the Confederate line and exchanged fire for some twenty minutes until the Confederates broke and ran. General Blunt wrote after the battle, "I never saw such fighting as was done by the Negro regiment....The question that negroes will fight is settled; besides they make better solders in every respect than any troops I have ever had under my command."

Fort Wagner, South Carolina. The most widely known battle fought by African-Americans. The 54th Massachusetts on July 18, 1863 volunteered to lead the assault on the strongly-fortified Confederate positions. The soldiers of the 54th scaled the fort's parapet, and were only driven back after brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Although black soldiers proved themselves as reputable soldiers, discrimination in pay and other areas remained widespread. According to the Militia Act of 1862, soldiers of African descent were to receive $10.00 a month, plus a clothing allowance of $3.50. Many regiments struggled for equal pay, some refusing any money until June 15, 1864, when Congress granted equal pay for all black soldiers.

African-American soldiers participated in every major campaign of 1864-1865 except Sherman's invasion of Georgia. The year 1864 was especially eventful for African-American troops. On April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest led his 2,500 men against the Union held fortification, occupied by 292 black and 285 white soldiers. After driving in the Union pickets and giving the garrison an opportunity to surrender, Forrest's men swarmed into the fort with little difficulty and drove the Union soldiers down the river's bluff into a deadly crossfire. Casualties were high and only sixty-two of the U.S. Colored Troops survived the fight. Many accused the Confederates of perpetuating a massacre of black troops, and the controversy continues today. The battle cry for the United State Colored Troops east of the Mississippi River became "Remember Fort Pillow!"

New Market Heights, Virginia (Chaffin's Farm) One of the most heroic engagements involving African-Americans happened on September 29, 1864, when the USCT division of the Eighteenth Corps, after being pinned down by Confederate artillery fire for about 30 minutes, charged the earthworks and rushed up the slopes of the heights. During the hour-long engagement the division suffered tremendous casualties. Of the sixteen African-Americans who were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, fourteen received the honor as a result of their actions at New Market Heights.

For a more indepth look at the impact that African American Troops had visit our partner, The African American Civil War Memorial Museum, you will find exhibits that tell the stories about how the USCT regiments were instrumental in leading the Union to victory and the Museum website for more stories: www.afroamcivilwar.or