There are a variety of reasons why African Americans fought on the side of Confederate.

On a side note, it was interesting to see the name Henry Marshall from De Soto Parish, Louisiana. He served as the guardian for the children of Edward Means, the brother of William B. Means. Edward owned my great great grandfather.

I’ve heard about the body slaves who were taken into war by their confederate masters. I’ve seen a couple of photos depicting that situation. I’d never heard of any volunteer Black or Mulatto confederates.

Your article alerted me to the fact that some of my Virginia “Free Negro” ancestors could very well have been Black/Mulatto confederates. Thanks so very much for sharing.

After all these years, when you first begin hearing that there actually were those that fought for the confederacy it’s a little tough to wrap your mind around the idea.

I appreciate the balanced approach that you used in addressing the subject.

I agree with Tim that I am generally turned off when people present theories – especially regarding events that they did not witness – as either/or. I also agree that, while I believe that some blacks – regardless of whether we want to say “many” or “few” – served in the Confederacy of their own volition that does NOT serve to somehow justify either the Confederacy or even slavery itself. It reminds me of another argument I’ve heard thrown into conversation, “Black people owned slaves too you know.” Well yes, I do believe that to be true, but again, I fail to see why that somehow makes a difference in whether slavery was an inhuman institution.

It sort of reminds me of people who want to dispute the number – 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. They are quick to point out that they DO believe that some numbers of Jews were killed. THEY are not “Holocaust deniers.” It’s just not 6 million. I asked someone one time, “So, let’s just say it was a *mere* 600,000. So now what? Are the Nazis somehow not as bad?” No real clear answer to that was forthcoming, just more argument about numbers etc. I just had to walk away.

History can be emotional. I have cried when I have read things about my family that aren’t nearly as horrific as being enslaved. I would never want to take emotion out of history. But surely there is a way to look at the history of what happened – to talk about something that isn’t “as tidy as we now would wish it to have been” – without slipping over into name-calling.

Sorry for the long comment – when really all I’m trying to say is that I agree with you – and you did a much better job of saying it all!!!

Thanks!

Tim – There is no doubt reading the secession statements by most of the legislatures – that the official reason was for slavery. However, the reason individuals took up arms is another matter. I can definitely see someone not understanding all the politics going on around them and just seeing the North attack their land. I also can see illiterate slaves not being told what was going on, and voluntarily helping out when they saw the land attacked.

Per the League of the South quote, I definitely see arguments for and against racism, but there is no doubt in my mind that the SPLC is correct that it is a hate group. The League of the South feels everyone in the South should follow the gospel of Christ. That is hate. A different hate, but it still qualifies.

Here’s the Southern Poverty Law Center’s page on The League of the South:

http://www.splcenter.org/get-i.....-the-south

Great article, and welcome back! I don’t think we should doubt the presence of “Black Confederate[s].” Both my father-in-law and an old Army buddy told me their ancestors weren’t slave owners and weren’t fighting for slavery. They were fighting to protect their homes and families from the invading North. Maybe that’s also revisionism in an attempt to feel better about their ancestors, but it could be true. I think it’s entirely possible some black people living in the South felt the same way.

I always reject theories that are all or nothing…the human condition always guarantees those frustrating shades of gray and blurred lines.