Throughout the Civil War both African American men as well as women contributed towards the Union’s victory against the confederacy through the roles of fighting, spying, and nursing. Although the participation of African Americans within the war was controversial at first, the help acquired from fighting wars, spying, and even nursing was handy for the North and pushed the nation a step closer towards victory and success.
The involvement of African American’s participation within the war was at first controversial in the North. The idea of having blacks bear arms seemed foolish and even dangerous, while others, being the abolitionist, thought it was a step closer towards equality. The idea of African Americans’ participation was a huge debate, but the congress was convinced by the abolitionist’s argument on why colored men should be allowed to help out in the civil war. In 1862 the second confiscation militia act was passed which allowed black men to fight in the civil war and bear arms. The second Confiscation Militia Act also, “for any military or naval for which they may be found competent.” Due to this act, African Americans were ready to enlist and be part of the Union army. African Americans participated in many regiments, and even took part of the first United States of America’s colored troop, known as the 54th regiment of Massachusetts. The 54th regiment of Massachusetts fought their most famous battle against the South known as the Battle of Fort Wagner. Even though the Union lost this battle against the South, the African American’s devotion, passion, and heart work throughout battle convinced many whites that perhaps blacks were capable of contributing such efforts to the war, and maybe the chance for other African Americans to join the Cavalries where whites were present was acceptable. William Caney was one of the many men who fought for the 54th regiment of Massachusetts, and was also present when his troop fought against the Confederacy in the Battle of Fort Wagner. Caney was the first African American to ever be awarded ‘the medal of honor’, an award that is only awarded to certain people who show braveness during combat. In the battle of Fort Wagener, Caney presented persistence as well as pride as he made his way through the filed shouting, “the flag never touched the ground, “After he raised the flag from midair as it was about to hit the ground right after the flag bearer was shot. William Caney’s words encouraged the rest of the soldiers to keep fighting until no more. The members of the 54th regiment fought more aggressively than never before seen, due to Caney’s words. The fact that the Union flag never hit the ground was a sign for the soldiers that the Union was still alive and that there was still hope to overcome the Confederacy’s troops. The battle of Fort Wagner played a key role in bringing slavery a step closer to an end, and allowing other African Americans to participate in this civil war. The outcome of the war was not a victory, but it did help the Union to acquire a larger number or African Americans to be able to participate in following wars in different regimens. This gave the union an advantage in men who were willing to fight for a greater cause concerning slavery. Aside from helping the North in battle against the South, African Americans played a major role in …show more content…
Bowser was born a slave in Richmond Virginia in 1839, and started her spying for the North through her clever character of, “Ellen Bond.” A mentally disable, illiterate slave who despite her disabilities was still able to get the job of a servant done. Mary E Bowser was put for sale as “Ellen Bond,” and was ready to infiltrate into Varina Davis house, the wife of the Confederacy’s president. The information that was gathered by Bowser was through her skill of acting as an illiterate person and by doing what her regular job required her to do, which was to move around the house cleaning and even interacting with her masters. The role of a servant enhanced her real job which was to spy and take information back to
The involvement of African American’s participation within the war was at first controversial in the North. The idea of having blacks bear arms seemed foolish and even dangerous, while others, being the abolitionist, thought it was a step closer towards equality. The idea of African Americans’ participation was a huge debate, but the congress was convinced by the abolitionist’s argument on why colored men should be allowed to help out in the civil war. In 1862 the second confiscation militia act was passed which allowed black men to fight in the civil war and bear arms. The second Confiscation Militia Act also, “for any military or naval for which they may be found competent.” Due to this act, African Americans were ready to enlist and be part of the Union army. African Americans participated in many regiments, and even took part of the first United States of America’s colored troop, known as the 54th regiment of Massachusetts. The 54th regiment of Massachusetts fought their most famous battle against the South known as the Battle of Fort Wagner. Even though the Union lost this battle against the South, the African American’s devotion, passion, and heart work throughout battle convinced many whites that perhaps blacks were capable of contributing such efforts to the war, and maybe the chance for other African Americans to join the Cavalries where whites were present was acceptable. William Caney was one of the many men who fought for the 54th regiment of Massachusetts, and was also present when his troop fought against the Confederacy in the Battle of Fort Wagner. Caney was the first African American to ever be awarded ‘the medal of honor’, an award that is only awarded to certain people who show braveness during combat. In the battle of Fort Wagener, Caney presented persistence as well as pride as he made his way through the filed shouting, “the flag never touched the ground, “After he raised the flag from midair as it was about to hit the ground right after the flag bearer was shot. William Caney’s words encouraged the rest of the soldiers to keep fighting until no more. The members of the 54th regiment fought more aggressively than never before seen, due to Caney’s words. The fact that the Union flag never hit the ground was a sign for the soldiers that the Union was still alive and that there was still hope to overcome the Confederacy’s troops. The battle of Fort Wagner played a key role in bringing slavery a step closer to an end, and allowing other African Americans to participate in this civil war. The outcome of the war was not a victory, but it did help the Union to acquire a larger number or African Americans to be able to participate in following wars in different regimens. This gave the union an advantage in men who were willing to fight for a greater cause concerning slavery. Aside from helping the North in battle against the South, African Americans played a major role in …show more content…
Bowser was born a slave in Richmond Virginia in 1839, and started her spying for the North through her clever character of, “Ellen Bond.” A mentally disable, illiterate slave who despite her disabilities was still able to get the job of a servant done. Mary E Bowser was put for sale as “Ellen Bond,” and was ready to infiltrate into Varina Davis house, the wife of the Confederacy’s president. The information that was gathered by Bowser was through her skill of acting as an illiterate person and by doing what her regular job required her to do, which was to move around the house cleaning and even interacting with her masters. The role of a servant enhanced her real job which was to spy and take information back to