Black Confederates

"Always Remember."

 I'm a member of and regular listener to National Public Radio (NPR) WABE 90.1 FM. This morning I heard an interview by Steve Goss with a representative of the Sons of Confederate Veterans that blew my mind. We (African-Americans) have got to get in the game regarding our history. We must have a comprehensive, unified understanding of the black experience in America. This group is promoting the idea that the Civil War was not about slavery. He cavalierily stated that blacks fought on the side of the Confederacy, too and makes it sound like many of our ancestors happily defended the South's cause for "liberty" from the North. While it's true, that some blacks participated, the reasons had more to do with being ordered to fight or enticed by false promises of land and freedom. The number of black "Confederates" in comparison to the total black slave population is less than one percent.

We must ensure that an accurate portrayal of this country's history is presented. The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States is long overdue. 

To hear the entire interview and to read more about Black Confederates click on the links below.

"ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - As we approach the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has launched a media campaign emphasizing the "Southern" view of the causes of that conflict. Here, Ray McBerry head of public relations for the Georgia SCV, talks with WABE's Steve Goss... © Copyright 2010, WABE"
 http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1737422

Excerpts and links to articles on Black Confederates:

      It has been estimated that over 65,000 Southern blacks were in the Confederate ranks. Over 13,000 of these, "saw the elephant" also known as meeting the enemy in combat. These Black Confederates included both slave and free. The Confederate Congress did not approve blacks to be officially enlisted as soldiers (except as musicians), until late in the war. But in the ranks it was a different story. Many Confederate officers did not obey the mandates of politicians, they frequently enlisted blacks with the simple criteria, "Will you fight?" Historian Ervin Jordan, explains that "biracial units" were frequently organized "by local Confederate and State militia Commanders in response to immediate threats in the form of Union raids". Dr. Leonard Haynes, an African-American professor at Southern University, stated, "When you eliminate the black Confederate soldier, you've eliminated the history of the South." Scott Williams 
 http://www.37thtexas.org/html/BlkHist.html

OCEAN SPRINGS -- A monument was dedicated last year in Washington, D.C., to the memory of the African-Americans who fought in Union service during the Civil War.      Since then, a local freelance writer has become involved in an effort to erect a similar monument to the thousands of blacks who served the Confederacy. "It's hidden history," Michael Kelley of Pascagoula said. His research shows there were more than 65,000 blacks, 15,000 Hispanics and 3,000 Native Americans among the Confederate troops. But little recognition is given to these facts, he said.  Lisa Hofbauer http://www.37thtexas.org/html/Newspaper.html