Tag Archives: slaves as soldiers

lashless society

150 years ago today: “President Andrew Johnson appoints General Oliver O. Howard to head the Freedman’s Bureau.” A May 12th editorial argued that, just as the conduct of black soldiers upset preconceived Southern notions of African-American competence, free black labor … Continue reading

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wheels of fortune

150 years ago this month the Confederacy had enacted a law to enlist slaves in Southern armies and was beginning the law’s implementation. The draft in the North to implement President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was plodding along. … Continue reading

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bravely

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 18, 1865: Saturday Morning…march 18, 1865. The news. As regards military matters, there is no news. All is quiet at Petersburg and in front of Richmond. The enlistment of negroes in Richmond goes bravely … Continue reading

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regarding slaves and savages

150 years ago today President Lincoln expressed his views on what it meant for slaves to fight for the Confederacy and took action against “savage warfare.” From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: ADDRESS TO AN INDIANA … Continue reading

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“Progress of the war.”

The Confederacy was in crisis, but Congress had apparently been content to finish up its legislative session and head home. President Davis asked them to stay, and 150 years ago today he laid out the important matters that Congress needed … Continue reading

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from the quagmire

The Civil War has changed America in some ways over the last four years, but Yankees are still firing off cannon to honor Washington’s birthday. And rain makes Virginia “one vast quagmire” – the Dispatch doesn’t anticipate General Grant trying … Continue reading

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Save Our South!

I guess desperate times really do call for desperate measures. In its Monday morning editorial the Dispatch calls for the Confederate Congress to let General Lee use slaves as soldiers in exchange for their freedom. As you can read, the … Continue reading

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