Yep. Proposed in early 1864 when Confeds knew they were screwed.
There are tales that some 100,000 “served” in Confederate Army, and some absolutely did-—almost entirely as cooks, diggers, etc. We can’t come up with any number of black Confederates who carried weapons, but there is a picture of a black artillery battery in Richmond. Most estimates are that of the 1% of slaveholders who were free blacks, perhaps 1% of them may have been allowed to shoulder a firearm.
There are numerous field reports from Union officers about black CSA troops. Some even about black sharp shooters.
Fascinating.
And are you familiar with the process whereby blacks who were held as slaves by some Indian tribes were actually allowed to officially enroll in the early 20th century?
Amazing stuff, really. It would be fascinating to undercover in one’s family tree that you were “Indian” but without ever having been an “Indian” but just owned by Indians. Of course, if my memory is correct, descendants of those slaves are not able to enroll in tribes now, because they aren’t “actually” Indian.
If nothing else....it sort of shows the chaos and confusion (and to the enterprising, the opportunities) that exist as civil wars wind down. And for the poetic, reflecting on the heartbreak of it all is just incredible. So many layers of sadness. (And they were all American).
Thanks again for the little history lesson.
You are a national treasure and we are so grateful to have you around Free Republic.