The Black Soldier

African American soldiers, however, found many obstacles in proving their military competence. They were furnished with inferior food and supplies, paid less than their white counterparts, and relegated to the least desirable duties. This diminished what at first seemed to be a new era of emancipation and opportunity for African Americans.

Despite these indignities, black soldiers fought bravely in combat and their achievements changed the minds of many doubters. Lieutenant Strunke wrote to his commanding General:

My Company was apparently brave. Yet they are mostly contrabands,* and I must say I entertained some fears as to their pluck. But I have now none - The moment the order was given, they entered upon its execution. Valiantly did the heroic descendants of Africa move forward cool as if Marshaled for dress parade, under a most murderous fire from the enemies' guns, until we reached the main ditch which surrounds the Fort.

Some 36,000 black soldiers died in service during the Civil War. Disease claimed eleven African American men for each who succumbed to battlefield wounds. Frequent assignment to undesirable "fatigue duty" and habitually short rations, as well as inferior medical attention all contributed to the high incidence of black casualties.

* Because slaves were legally considered property in Southern states, fugitive slaves were "appropriated" by the Union and given the appellation of "contraband."

Treating Wars Wounds Home