Aside from the example I quoted who had more help than he could use, would you please cite documentation that says their offers to help build fortifications, etc., were refused.
While we're on this topic, here were a couple of other examples I found in the old newspapers.
COLORED TROOOPS IN THE SOUTH -- Fifteen hundred free colored men in New Orleans, at a meeting last Monday night, enrolled themselves for military duty in defense of the Confederate States. [Philadephia Public Ledger, May 1, 1861]
Baltimorians complain greatly at the want of telegraph and mail facilities. Three or four hundred negroes offered services to Southern Regiments. [Kennebec(Maine) Weekly Journal, April 26, 1861]
Also IIRC, free blacks made up some of the fire crews that put out fires in Charleston, SC, caused by Yankee shelling of civilians.
Since I am unaware of any evidence supporting the fact that their service was accepted it would be pretty much a given that it wasnt.
COLORED TROOOPS IN THE SOUTH -- Fifteen hundred free colored men in New Orleans, at a meeting last Monday night, enrolled themselves for military duty in defense of the Confederate States. [Philadephia Public Ledger, May 1, 1861]
Sure. The Louisiana Native Guard, comprised of free black men of New Orleans, organized itself May 2, 1865 with black officers and offered itself for service in the confederate cause. The Davis government told them to take a hike, and they were later reorganized as a Union regiment.
Baltimorians complain greatly at the want of telegraph and mail facilities. Three or four hundred negroes offered services to Southern Regiments. [Kennebec(Maine) Weekly Journal, April 26, 1861]
And any evidence that their service was accepted?
Also IIRC, free blacks made up some of the fire crews that put out fires in Charleston, SC, caused by Yankee shelling of civilians.
Possibly. Slave labor was conscripted by the Davis government for many purposes, usually without compensation to the slave owners.