Patriots of Colour!

It would take a complete fool to say many slaves did not support the Confederacy.... But it would take a greater fool to say many slaves and free blacks did not fight as Patriots for same.... As already stated, the truth is out there!

Alfred Bellard, a white soldier of the 5th NJ Infantry, reported in his memoirs the shooting of two black Confederate snipers by member's of the Berdan's Sharpshooters in April of 1862.

"One of the Negro Confederates was only wounded, but the other was killed one afternoon after leaving the security of a hollow tree (probably to relieve himself). Two Confederates tried to get to his body but were driven away by the Union gunfire"
Alfred Bellard, Gone for a Soldier, p. 56

This wasn't an isolated case. One of the best marksmen in the Confederacy was an African-American who outfitted himself in a sniper's roost in an almost perfect hiding spot inside a brick chimney from which he proceeded to shoot Yankees at their nearby camp. Any Union soldier who dared to come into his range was fired at. Several times the Federalize called up to the sniper to desert, but the black Confederate ignored their appeals. This ordeal ended when a regiment was marched off to fire a volley at the chimney, eventually putting a bullet through the sniper's head.


Serving in a military capacity wasn't the only way blacks could prove their loyalty to the Confederacy. Black patriotism took many forms, "some were sincerely patriotic, others were alarmed individuals acting on self-preservation and economic interest"
Richmond Whig, from Jordan's Black Confederates., p. 235.

Black Confederate loyalty was pervasive and real. American historians failed to recognize this loyalty. "By the summer of 1861 Southern blacks who supported and allied themselves with the Confederacy were looking to volunteer" Richmond Whig, from Jordan's Black Confederates P. 217

Serving in a military capacity wasn't the only way blacks could prove their loyalty to the Confederacy. Black patriotism took many forms, "some were sincerely patriotic, others were alarmed individuals acting on self-preservation and economic interest"
Jordan, p. 235

There are other prominent cases of black patriotism among slaves and free men. Many of these people saw their cause as protecting their homes. "Despite the hardships of slavery loyal blacks made financial and material contributions to the Confederacy"
J.K. Obatala, "The unlikely story of blacks who were loyal to Dixie", p. 94.

Blacks placed their lives in danger for a country and its cause; a cause which many Americans would not expect blacks to support. Slaves and free blacks joined for different reasons.

"The free colored population love their home, their property, their own slaves and recognize no other country than Louisiana, and are ready to shed their blood for her defense. They have no sympathy for Abolitionism; no love for the North, but they have plenty for Louisiana."
The Louisiana free blacks stated in a letter written to the New Orleans' Daily Delta:

In the beginning of the war many of the Southern states made provisions for placing blacks at the disposal of the state governments. "The Tennessee legislature passed an act in June, 1861, authorizing the governor, at his discretion to receive into the military service of the State all male free persons of color, between the ages of fifteen and fifty, or such numbers as may be necessary who may be capable of actual service" Robert Henry, The story of the Confederacy, p. 380.

"Those people" say thousands of slaves fled their masters, becoming contraband, following Sherman for safty from their masters??.

Well, the master was away fighting for state rights. They were mastered? by women and old men, they could have left way before..... Sherman's men took all the food and destoryed the food crops. These blacks followed a food source.

Confederate Monument,
Arlington National Cemetery