Read Ebook: The Black Phalanx African American soldiers in the War of Independence the War of 1812 and the Civil War by Wilson Joseph T Joseph Thomas

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The Principal Cause of the War--Seizure of American Negro Sailors--Outrages upon American Ships--The Declaration of War--The Battle of Lake Erie--Negroes on American Privateers--Action of the Legislature of La.--Review of Negro Troops in New Orleans--The Battle of New Orleans 72

Existing Prejudice--No Prejudice in Europe--DeTocqueville's Views--The New Race--Southern Opinions--The Negro's Ambition--The Coast Pursuit in the Navy--A Change of Policy--Public Opinions Changed 81

The Unpleasant duties of a Recruiting Officer--Henry Wilson's Bill in Congress for the Arming of Negroes, 1862--Mr. Stevens' Amendment to the Enrollment Act, 1864--Orders for the Enrollment of Negroes in the Miss. Valley--Curious way of Keeping ranks full--The Date of the First Organization of Colored Troops--The Organization of the 24th Mass. Regiment--Their Quarters at Morris Island--Refusing to do Menial Service--Short Pay for Negro Troops--Negroes Enlisting for Bounty--Record of total number of Negroes who Served in the Army 93

Private Miles O'Reilly's Account of Gen. Hunter's Black Troops--The First Negro Troops in the Field--Gen. Hunter's Humorous Report to Congress--Jefferson Davis declares Gen. Hunter and his Officers Outlaws--Gen. Hunter's suppressed Letter to Jefferson Davis--Miles O'Reilly's Humorous Poem, "Sambo's Right to be Kil't" 145

Officers of the Phalanx--Character and Qualifications of the men who commanded Negro Troops--The Examination of Candidates for Commissioners--Some of the Negroes who rose from the Ranks--Gen. Banks' idea of Officering the Corps d'Afrique 166

The Surrender of Confederate Negro Troops at New Orleans--Slaves flocking to the Union Camp--Gen. Phelps desires to Arm them--Butler Refuses--Gen. Phelps' Resignation--Gen. Butler converted to the Policy of Arming Negroes--Negroes Enlisted at New Orleans--Gen. Weitzel placed in Command--The fight at Mansfield--The Battle of Milliken's Bend--Indignities offered to Phalanx Soldiers--The affair at Ship Island--Port Hudson--The Struggle--Desperate Fighting of the Phalanx--A Useless Effort--Perilous Duties of the Engineers--Boker's Poem on the fight at Port Hudson 183

Iowa's splendid Response to the Call--Refusal of the Phalanx Troops to Accept the Pay offered by the Government--Active times at Helena--The Confederate General Dobbins makes an Attack--A Spirited Fight--A Critical Situation--Re-enforcement by White Cavalry--The Honor Due to Kansas--The report of the Service of Kansas Negro Troops--Col. Crawford's report for the 2nd Kansas Regiment 220

Gen. Hunter's Important Action--Organization of the 1st South Carolina--An Expedition up the St. Mary's River--Fort Wagner--Description of the Fort--Plans for the Assault--The forming of the line--The Assault--Magnificent Fighting--Death of Col. Shaw--Useless Slaughter--The Confederate Account of the Assault upon Fort Wagner--Movements in Florida--The Landing at Jacksonville--Raids on the surrounding country--The Advance towards Tallahassee--The Troops reach Barbour's Station--The Battle of Olustee--Desperate Fighting on both Sides--A Terrible Defeat--The Union Troops routed--Drawing away the Wounded on railway cars--Return to Baldwin's--The 54th Mass.--Boykin's Mill--The "Swamp Angel"--Inquiries Respecting Negro Troops--Labor Days of the Negro Troops 249

Services in the West--The Mississippi River Guarded by the Phalanx--Gen. Morgan's Historical Sketch--The Rendezvous at Gallatin--The Place Threatened by Guerillas--Organizing a Regiment--Negro Soldiers ordered to Alabama--An Incident--A School in camp--The Battle at Dalton, Ga.--Good Behavior of the troops there--Honors to the 51st Colored--Sharp Fighting at Pulaski, Tenn.--An Incident of the Fight--An Engagement at Decatur--Ordered to Nashville--Severe Fighting at that place--A Reconnoissance--The Defeat of Gen. Hood--A Pursuit to Huntsville--A Glorious Record 286

Sherman's March to the Sea--Destruction of the Confederate Bridge over the Big Black river--Confederates Attack Federals near Morristown--Gillem's Troops Driven into Knoxville--The Confederates Retreat--Federals Pursued to Marion--Struggle for the Possession of the Salt Works--The Charge of the 6th Regiment--Gen. Brisbin's account of the Battle--The Salt Works Destroyed--Personal Bravery 308

The Phalanx acquiring a Reputation--No Blacks Paroled--Gen. Grant's Letter to the Confederate General Taylor--Jefferson Davis' Proclamation respecting Negro Soldiers--Mr. Davis' Third Annual Message--Action of the Confederate Congress--Negro Soldiers Captured by the Confederates receive Punishment--Retaliation by the Federal Government--Refusal to Exchange captured Negro Troops--Order from President Lincoln in relation thereto--Report of the Congressional Committee in regard to Barbarities Inflicted upon captured Union Prisoners--Report of the Congressional Committee in regard to the Fort Pillow Massacre--Testimony given--Sketches of Prison Life--Schemes for Escaping from Confederate Prisons--Life in Libby Prison--The Effect of the Fort Pillow Massacre on the Black Soldiers--Their Desire to Retaliate--Correspondence between Gens. Forrest and Washburn--A Confederate Account, written in 1883--A Confederate Account of Price's Cross-Roads--Heavy Fighting--Gallant Conduct of the Federal Cavalry--The Rout of the Federal Force--The Phalanx Saves the White Troops from Capture--Gen. Sturgis Criticised 315

Transfer of Negro Troops from the West and South to Virginia--Preparations for a New Campaign--9th Army Corps passing Through Washington--Army of the Potomac--Battle at Bailey's farm--Siege of Petersburg--Digging a Mine--Phalanx Troops preparing to lead the Assault--Disappointment--Explosion of the Mine--Terrible Slaughter--Failure of the Attempt to Take the Redoubt--New Movement Against Richmond--New Market Heights--Capture of Petersburg--Fall of Richmond--Appomattox--Surrender of Lee 377

Phalanx Soldiers who received Medals of Honor from the United States Government for Heroism 463

Complete list from the Government Records, as far as can be obtained, of Negro Military Organizations in all branches of the Service, with their Chief Commanders--Battles--Dates of Organization and Dismissal 464

Preparation in the South for Hostilities--Early Organizations of Battalions of Free Negroes--Review of Troops in New Orleans--Employment of Negroes in Constructing Fortifications--Early Enacting of State Laws authorizing the enrollment of Negroes for Military Service--The Appearance of a few Negro Troops announced by the Press--Apparent Enthusiasm of some Blacks--Effect on the Negroes of the Change in Northern Policy--Necessity for Negro Troops--Strong Opposition throughout the South--Letters from Gen. R. E. Lee urging the Organization of Black Regiments--Exciting Debates in the Confederate Congress--Passage of the Negro Bill--The Clerk's of the War Department Record--Letter from Jefferson Davis--Enlistment began, etc. 481

Efforts of Negro Soldiers to Educate themselves--Studies pursued in the Army--Officers acting as Teachers--Contributions to Educational Institutions 503

Personal Economy practiced for Benevolent purposes--Contributions to the Lincoln Institute as a Monument--Magnificent Contributions to the Lincoln Monument--Some figures in reference to the Freemen's Bank 508

List of Publications made use of 517

THE WARS FOR INDEPENDENCE

THE WAR OF 1775.

Of the three hundred thousand troops in the Revolutionary war, it has been estimated that five thousand were colored, and these came principally from the North, whose colored population at that time was about 50,000, while the Southern colonies contained about 300,000. The interest felt in the two sections for the success of the cause of independence, if referred to the army, can easily be seen. The Northern colonies furnished two hundred and forty-nine thousand, five hundred and three, and the Southern colonies one hundred and forty-seven thousand, nine hundred and forty soldiers, though the whole population of each section was within a few hundred of being equal.

The love of liberty was no less strong with the Southern than with the Northern colored man, as their efforts for liberty show. At the North he gained his freedom by entering the American army; at the South, only by entering the British army, which was joined by more than fifteen thousand colored men. Jefferson says 30,000 negroes from Virginia alone went to the British army. I make the digression simply to assert that had the colored men at the South possessed the same opportunity as those at the North, of enlisting in the American army, a large force of colored men would have been in the field, fighting for America's independence. Of the services of the little band, scattered as they were throughout the army, two or three in a company composed of whites, a squad in a regiment, a few companies with an army, made it quite impossible for their record, beyond this, to be distinct from the organizations they were attached to. However, enough has been culled from the history of that conflict, to show that they bore a brave part in the struggle which wrested the colonies from the control of Great Britain, and won for themselves and offspring, freedom, which many of them never enjoyed. I have studiously avoided narrating the conduct of those who cast their fortune with the British, save those who went with Lord Dunmore, for reasons too obvious to make mention of.

The sentiments of a majority of the people of the colonies were in full accord with the declaration opposing slavery, and they sought to give it supremacy by their success in the conflict. Slavery, which barred the entrance to the army of the colored man at the South, had been denounced by the colonist before the adoption of the articles of confederation, and was maintained solely by local regulations. As early as 1774, all the colonies had agreed to, and their representatives to the congress had signed, the articles of the Continental Association, by which it was agreed, "that we will neither import nor purchase any slave imported after the first day of December next, , after which we will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or manufactories to those who are concerned in it." Georgia not being represented in this Congress, consequently was not in the Association, but as soon as her Provincial Congress assembled in July, 1775, it passed the following resolutions:

"TO THE FREEMEN OF VIRGINIA. No. 40.}

The Major General commanding the Department proposes the organization of a corps d'armee of colored troops, to be designated as the "Corps d'Afrique." It will consist ultimately of eighteen regiments, representing all arms--Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry, organized in three Divisions of three Brigades each, with appropriate corps of Engineers and flying Hospitals for each Division. Appropriate uniforms, and the graduation of pay to correspond with value of services, will be hereafter awarded.

In the field, the efficiency of every corps depends upon the influence of its officers upon the troops engaged, and the practicable limits of one direct command is generally estimated at one thousand men. The most eminent military historians and commanders, among others Thiers and Chambray, express the opinion, upon a full review of the elements of military power, that the valor of the soldier is rather acquired than natural. Nations whose individual heroism in undisputed, have failed as soldiers in the field. The European and American continents exhibit instances of this character, and the military prowess of every nation may be estimated by the centuries it has devoted to military contest, or the traditional passion of its people for military glory. With a race unaccustomed to military service, much more depends on the immediate influence of officers upon individual members, than with those that have acquired more or less of warlike habits and spirit by centuries of contest. It is deemed best, therefore, in the organization of the Corps d'Afrique, to limit the regiments to the smallest number of men consistent with efficient service in the field, in order to secure the most thorough instruction and discipline, and the largest influence of the officers over the troops. At first they will be limited to five hundred men. The average of American regiments is less than that number.

Officers and soldiers will consider the exigencies of the service in this Department, and the absolute necessity of appropriating every element of power to the support of the Government. The prejudices or opinions of men are in nowise involved. The co-operation and active support of all officers and men, and the nomination of fit men from the ranks, and from the lists of non-commissioned and commissioned officers, are respectfully solicited from the Generals commanding the respective Divisions.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS:

His plan of organization is here given, but it was never fully consummated:

GENERAL ORDERS} No. 47}

Corps d'Afrique. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. 19TH ARMY CORPS,

To the above may be added hereafter, at the discretion of the Commanding General, four corporals and forty-two privates; thus increasing the strength to the maximum fixed by law for a company of infantry.

The regimental organization will be that fixed by law for a regiment of infantry.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS:

General Banks' treatment of the negroes was so very different from that which they had received from Gen. Butler,--displacing the negro officers of the first three regiments organized,--that it rather checkmated recruiting, so much so that he found it necessary to resort to the provost guard to fill up regiments, as the following order indicates:

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS:

In the department the actual number of negroes enlisted was never known, from the fact that a practice prevailed of putting a live negro in a dead one's place. For instance, if a company on picket or scouting lost ten men, the officer would immediately put ten new men in their places and have them answer to the dead men's names. I learn from very reliable sources that this was done in Virginia, also in Missouri and Tennessee. If the exact number of men could be ascertained, instead of 180,000 it would doubtless be in the neighborhood of 220,000 who entered the ranks of the army. An order was issued which aimed to correct the habit and to prevent the drawing, by collusion, of the dead men's pay.

The date of the first organization of colored troops is a question of dispute, but it seems as if the question might be settled, either by the records of the War Department or the personal knowledge of those interested. Of course the muster of a regiment or company is the record of the War Department, but the muster by no means dates the organization of the troops. For example, a colonel may have been commissioned July, 1862, and yet the muster of his regiment may be September 1862, and even later, by two months, as is the case in more than one instance. It is just as fair to take the date of a soldier's enlistment as the date of the organization of a regiment, as that of the date of the order detailing an officer to recruit as the date of the colonel's commission. The writer's discharge from the Second Reg't. Louisiana Native Guards credits him as enlisting on the 1st day of September, 1862; at this date the 1st Reg't. La. N. G. was in the field, in November the Second Regiment took the field, so that the date of the organization of the first regiment of colored troops was in September, 1862. Col. Higginson, says in his volume:

"Except the Louisiana soldiers mentioned,--of whom no detailed reports have, I think, been published,--my regiment was unquestionably the first mustered into the service of the United States; the first company mustered bearing date, November 7, 1862, and the others following in quick succession."

Save the regiments recruited in Kansas, South Carolina and New Orleans during the year 1862, nothing was done towards increasing the negro army, but in January 1863, when the policy of the Government was changed and the Emancipation Proclamation foreshadowed the employment of negroes in the armed service, an activity such as had not been witnessed since the beginning of the war became apparent. Many officers without commands, and some with, but who sought promotion, were eager to be allowed to organize a regiment, a battalion or a brigade of negro troops. Mr. Lincoln found it necessary in less than six months after issuing his Proclamation of Freedom, to put the whole matter of negro soldiers into the hands of a board. Ambition, as ambition will, smothered many a white man's prejudice and caused more than one West Pointer to forget his political education. This order was issued:

BRIGADIER GENERAL D. ULLMAN, Washington, D. C.

Each regiment of said Brigade will be organized as prescribed in General orders No. 126, series of 1862, from this office.

The recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the service, and the orders of the War Department, and by the said department all appointments of officers will be made.

All musters will be made in strict conformity to Paragraph 86 Revised Mustering Regulations of 1862.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

BRIG. GENERAL ULLMAN, Washington, D. C.

The said force will be organized as prescribed in Paragraph 83, Mustering Regulations.

The recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the service, and the orders of the War Department, and by the said Department all appointments of officers will be made.

All musters will be made in accordance with the orders given in reference to the troops authorized by the instructions from this office of January 13, 1863.

I am, General Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,

In furtherance of the order General Ullman proceeded to New Orleans and assumed command of seven thousand troops already organized. It was said that he had arranged to place 500 white officers in command of the troops in Louisiana.

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