[docmcb]

And note, BTW, that Levi was not a soldier at all, but instead a loyal servant.

Hmmm. We're into semantics here. Levi Miller was with Lee's army throughout the war except when nursing a wounded officer. He might very well have worn a uniform and carried a weapon, probably a pistol or such. When he ran across the open field bringing rations to Captain Anderson the Federal sharpshooters fired on him, which suggests that he LOOKED like a Confederate soldier -- and he was evidently risking his life like one. Surely a cook or a truck driver is a soldier, even if he's not a rifleman or tank driver. And while Levi's enrollment in his company after fighting with them at Spotsylvania is certainly unusual, I think he was probably fairly typical as a body servant -- and there were thousands of those, beyond any doubt.

[docmcb]

BTW, I haven't seen anyone mention the Condeferate monument in Arlington Cemetary, sculpted by a Confederate veteran and set up during a fairly racist time, which PLAINLY shows a black soldier marching among white Confederates. Been there, have the pics.