African Americans During Civil War

During the Civil War the Union Army and slaves faced many hardships. Many problems surfaced during the Civil War whether it was for the Army or for the African Americans serving in the Army in the North. Not only were the African Americans fighting for the Union, they were fighting for their own freedom as well. The African Americans were not only helping themselves, but improving the union army. Even though they might have been considered equal to the Union, they were not always treated as equals compared to other white soldiers. Slaves are said to be freed by Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, but they made the first steps into getting their own freedom. During the Civil War, a series of laws were introduced known as the

They were considered as people, but because of their race they were subjected to unfair treatment and punishment by the Union Army. As stated by James A. Corrick in The Civil War and Emancipation, “White soldiers resented having to serve with blacks even though they were not in the same regiments.” The fact that the African Americans were serving with whites angered many of those in the Union Army, even though they were not serving together in close quarters. It was not just low ranking soldiers who refused to work with blacks either. Some high ranking military officers rejected to lead black regiments. Schomp also wrote that “Segregated units were almost always under white officers.” It was difficult for blacks to advance into higher rankings in the military. There was not equal pay between whites and blacks in the Union Army. As stated by Thomas Streissguth, writer of The Civil War: The North, African Americans received lower pay than the whites. African Americans were, “Only paid $10/month with $3 withheld for uniforms and equipment.” In truth, they only made $7 dollars a month. They were also given inferior equipment and medical supplies. White are reported to have made $13 a month and no money was withheld for uniforms and equipment. The white made six dollars more than the blacks. There were a some black soldiers who refused to accept the lower

These soldiers and other workers brought strength in numbers as according to Virginia Schomp there was, “180,000 African American soldiers” and, “Another 200,000 African American men and women served as scouts, spies, laborers, blacksmiths, nurses, and guides.” All of these men and women worked for the Union Army. According to Susan Altman, author of Extraordinary African American from Colonial to Contemporary Times, African Americans “fought fiercely, rather die than surrender.” The African American soldiers showed courage that no one thought they had. A number of black soldiers won awards for their service. Altman wrote that, “Sixteen won nationals highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.” Thousands were wounded and 68, 178 died or were missing, as stated by Altman. There were many African American women who were spies for the Union Army. Some of these women include Harriet Tubman and Mary Elizabeth Bowser. There were even husband and wife duo’s who would create secret code. One of the most famous African American spies was Harriet Tubman. Altman wrote that Tubman worked many different professions for the war including a nurse, cook, and a spy for the Union Army. Tubman disguised herself as an old slave women. It was easy for her to move around easily without being suspected and would gather intel on the location of the ammo, cotton,