Virginia 4th-grade textbook criticized over claims on black Confederate soldiers

The Washington Post ^ | 20 Oct 2010 | Kevin Sieff

[Palter]

A textbook distributed to Virginia fourth-graders says that thousands of African Americans fought for the South during the Civil War -- a claim rejected by most historians but often made by groups seeking to play down slavery's role as a cause of the conflict.

The passage appears in "Our Virginia: Past and Present," which was distributed in the state's public elementary schools for the first time last month. The author, Joy Masoff, who is not a trained historian but has written several books, said she found the information about black Confederate soldiers primarily through Internet research, which turned up work by members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Scholars are nearly unanimous in calling these accounts of black Confederate soldiers a misrepresentation of history. Virginia education officials, after being told by The Washington Post of the issues related to the textbook, said that the vetting of the book was flawed and that they will contact school districts across the state to caution them against teaching the passage.

"Just because a book is approved doesn't mean the Department of Education endorses every sentence," said spokesman Charles Pyle. He also called the book's assertion about black Confederate soldiers "outside mainstream Civil War scholarship."

Masoff defended her work. "As controversial as it is, I stand by what I write," she said. "I am a fairly respected writer."

The issues first came to light after College of William & Mary historian Carol Sheriff opened her daughter's copy of "Our Virginia" and saw the reference to black Confederate soldiers.

"It's disconcerting that the next generation is being taught history based on an unfounded claim instead of accepted scholarship," Sheriff said. "It concerns me not just as a professional historian but as a parent."

[Non-Sequitur]

With relatives who fought on each side of CW I, I can say with conviction that the war was over economic control of the future of the United States and its future.

Can you elaborate on that?

[09Patriot]

I hung around some Sons of conferate veteran types good group. they even say the black soldiers were paid the same as whites, well it was confederate money so...I dont know if got you much. And supposedly the union didnt pay their black soldier or it was less than white soldiers.

[central_va]

The overwhelming majority served unofficially in supporting roles as teamsters, cooks, servants, laborers, and the like, and there is no doubt that by doing so they freed up a lot of white men to do the actual fighting.

Black Rebs in this role were in danger, and were also a force multiplier. Riding shotgun on a ammo wagon train with Union cavalry running around isn't the safest thing in the world to do.

[09Patriot]

hell they could use a little deductive reasoning, altho that picture is not in color, union was blue and csa was gray, those uniforms looked a little light in color to be union blue dont they lol

[piroque]

u y’all gonna confuse th’m wit the truth

[carton253]

I have spoken to many Sons of the Confederate Veterans Camps. They are good groups.

[Non-Sequitur]

Black Rebs in this role were in danger, and were also a force multiplier. Riding shotgun on a ammo wagon train with Union cavalry running around isn't the safest thing in the world to do.

They were a force multiplier in that they freed up whites for the combat roles. And you're assuming they were armed. The standard practice for both armies was to detail infantry or cavalry units to guard their supply trains.

[Michael.SF.]

I was being a bit facetious with my somewhat tongue in cheek response. Let's cut to the chase:

Which are you contending:

a) No Blacks served in the CSA
b) Some may have served, but in lesser roles or by force.
c) Yes, a few misguided blacks did serve, but nowhere close to the number reported.

[ontap]

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Here's the lithograph that was made from the original photo. Or is that a fake, too? If so, you'd better let the Smithsonian know.

[kalee]

Here you go... :)

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams012600.asp

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams061301.asp

[Caesar Soze]

But, as per your own source, this unit was not involved in combat. It was not even allowed to escort POWs. When the Confederate Army needed more white officers, it poached them from the 1st Louisiana Native Guard and that unit was forced to disband. This sequence of events does not support the claim that “thousands of African Americans fought for the South during the Civil War.” If we are to draw any lesson from the 1st Louisiana Native Guard, it might be that, “thousands of American Americans purchased their own weapons and uniforms and offered their services to the South; they were refused, and later disbanded, so most of them put down their arms and the rest joined the Union.”

[Michael.SF.]

I did not see this post, until now, so you already answered my question:

You stated: The overwhelming majority (of CSA Blacks) served unofficially in supporting roles as teamsters, cooks, servants, laborers, and the like

So then soldiers in WWII or any other war who served in similar functions are to be considered on a lower rung of honor then those who fought in combat?

[netmilsmom]

Thanks!!!!!

[Non-Sequitur]

That is an enlisted tunic. Here's a description of confederate army officer insignia: Link

Here's another source: Link

[central_va]

I was being a bit facetious with my somewhat tongue in cheek response. Let's cut to the chase:

Which are you contending:

a) No Blacks served in the CSA b) Some may have served, but in lesser roles or by force. c) Yes, a few misguided blacks did serve, but nowhere close to the number reported.

He doesn't answer direct questions. It's the Yankee statist way.

[Michael.SF.]

I have already addressed this.

I did a google images search: "Black Confederate Soldiers", dozens of pictures came up, I could have picked any one of them, I picked that one because it said "Louisiana", so shoot me.

Your point is a distraction from the fact that some blacks served in the CSA.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Oh sure, spoil the fun....

[Non-Sequitur]

I’d say ‘c’ is the closest to my position, though ‘misguided’ is your choice of words and not mine. I’m sure that some were there willingly while many were not. Some had a choice, but most probably did not. What is undeniable is that none served legally as combat soldiers until March of 1865.

[ClearCase_guy]

I think we need to keep our eye on the ball:

A textbook claimed that some blacks served in the Confederate Army. This upset some people who found the idea to be politicaly incorrect.

Did some blacks serve in the CSA? Yes they did.

Did they do so in the "tens of thousands"? No. But I haven't seen anyone make that claim here.
Did they serve in the front lines and win many battles for the South? Not that I know of, but I haven't seen anyone make that claim either.

There were free blacks in the South, and some of them enlisted. This is known to be true. Whether they drove mules, served as cooks, or guarded wagon trains really doesn't matter. All soldiers deserve recognition.