Yesterday, I took my two grandsons to a wonderful Lincoln site, one I’ve been to many times and always had a nice experience. We had a young guide yesterday who asked us, “Why do you think so many newly freed slaves joined the Union Army?” Without an opportunity for discussion, he explained that they had nowhere to go; without a place to live, and without a job, the Army was a good option.
Thanks to your writings and references, I afterwards gave my grandsons a lesson I hope they won’t forget.
I may write a letter with several suggestions to this Lincoln site.
Great point, that nobody promoting black recruitment referred to any African Americans already serving as Confederate soldiers. I learned a lot from Levine’s book, as well as yours, but Gannon’s also sounds very useful.
I don't see any mention here of a letter written in 1864 by Confederate Major General Patrick Cleburne of Arkansas. He is on record as having advocated recruitment of 'emancipated' slaves for combat duty on behalf of the Confederacy. Had he survived the Battle of Franklin at the end of November that year he might well have persisted in his belief that this was the only hope for the Confederacy to emerge victorious through military means. I mention it because men under his command captured the older brother of my mother's great grandfather at Tunnel Hill on Missionary Ridge and shot the younger brother of my dad's great grandmother in the shoulder at Bald Hill in the Battle of Peach Tree Creek in Atlanta that year.
I write extensively about Cleburne in my book. He did indeed propose the enlisting of slaves as soldiers in early 1864, but was ordered to cease discussion of the issue after a fellow officer shared the details with Jefferson Davis in Richmond. Cleburne had no influence on the outcome of the debate. By the time of his death the debate was widespread throughout the Confederacy.
Enjoyed reading this!
Yesterday, I took my two grandsons to a wonderful Lincoln site, one I’ve been to many times and always had a nice experience. We had a young guide yesterday who asked us, “Why do you think so many newly freed slaves joined the Union Army?” Without an opportunity for discussion, he explained that they had nowhere to go; without a place to live, and without a job, the Army was a good option.
Thanks to your writings and references, I afterwards gave my grandsons a lesson I hope they won’t forget.
I may write a letter with several suggestions to this Lincoln site.
Thank you for your books and this blog.
Great point, that nobody promoting black recruitment referred to any African Americans already serving as Confederate soldiers. I learned a lot from Levine’s book, as well as yours, but Gannon’s also sounds very useful.
I highly recommend Gannon's book.
I don't see any mention here of a letter written in 1864 by Confederate Major General Patrick Cleburne of Arkansas. He is on record as having advocated recruitment of 'emancipated' slaves for combat duty on behalf of the Confederacy. Had he survived the Battle of Franklin at the end of November that year he might well have persisted in his belief that this was the only hope for the Confederacy to emerge victorious through military means. I mention it because men under his command captured the older brother of my mother's great grandfather at Tunnel Hill on Missionary Ridge and shot the younger brother of my dad's great grandmother in the shoulder at Bald Hill in the Battle of Peach Tree Creek in Atlanta that year.
Bruce Levine’s fine book also discusses Cleburne extensively.
Yes, even more so than mine.
I write extensively about Cleburne in my book. He did indeed propose the enlisting of slaves as soldiers in early 1864, but was ordered to cease discussion of the issue after a fellow officer shared the details with Jefferson Davis in Richmond. Cleburne had no influence on the outcome of the debate. By the time of his death the debate was widespread throughout the Confederacy.
Good article and good document. But I am confused. Was this about "recruiting Black men, who had already been freed by their masters" or only slaves?
Lyle
Both former slaves and free Blacks.
Many thanks for introducing me to this fascinating document. It and your commentary add a new depth to the issue.
Thanks, Louis. Appreciate the positive feedback.
Thanks for this great article which goes into a lot of detail on the topic in an easily readable way.
Thanks for reading, Dave.