Ncos in the American Army (1775-1865) (African American NCO Medal Ofhonor Winners Ofthe Civil War) SOM Karl A. Roberts
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NCOs in the American Army (1775-1865) (African American NCO Medal ofHonor Winners ofthe Civil War) By SOM Karl A. Roberts Student# 120 NCO History Brief Paper USASMA CWO Kenneth Hodge 3 March 2006 NCOs in the American Army (1775-1865) (African American NCO Medal ofHonor Winners ofthe Civil War) I. Introduction A. All my research information can be found at three web sites: The US Army Center ofMilitary History, Defense Link Online, and Black Valor Online, all three are great sites that provide you with almost unlimited information. B. Thesis: I have focused on NCOs that are African American MOH recipients that were Soldiers during the Civil War. I will also provide you with some interesting facts concerning the fascinating birth places, occupations, rank, and military service ofthe not so many ofthe 1,520 Civil War MOH winners. II. Body: The following areas are covered in my brief. A. The Civil War and the Cause B. The African American Soldier during the Civil War C. A brief history ofthe Medal ofHonor. D. CSM Christian Fleetwood, MOH Winner E. 1SG Powhatan Beaty, MOH Winner F. SGT William H. Carney, MOH Winner III. Summary IV. Questions V. Conclusion NCOs in the American Army (1775-1865) (African American NCO Medal of Honor Winners of the Civil War) The Civil War: The American Civil War is one of the most momentous and controversial periods in American history. Military conflict between the United States of America (the Union) and the Confederate States of America (the Confederacy) lasted from 1861 to 1865. The American Civil War, was also known as, the War Between the States, the War of Rebellion, or the War for Southern Independence. It began on April 12,1861, when Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The war lasted until May 26, 1865, when the last Confederate army surrendered. The Civil War took more than 600,000 lives, destroyed property valued at $5 billion, brought freedom to 4 million black slaves, and opened wounds that have not yet completely healed more than 125 years later. The Cause: The chief and immediate cause of the war was slavery. Southern states, including the 11 states that formed the Confederacy, depended on slavery to support their economy. Southerners used slave labor to produce crops, especially cotton. Although slavery was illegal in the Northern states, only a small proportion of Northerners actively opposed it. The main debate between the North and the South on the eve of the war was whether slavery should be permitted in the Western territories recently acquired during the Mexican War, including New Mexico, part of California, and Utah. Opponents of slavery were concerned about its expansion, in part because they did not want to compete against slave labor. By 1860, the North and the South had developed into two very different regions. Divergent social, economic, and political points of view, dating from colonial times, gradually drove the two sections farther and farther apart. Each tried to impose its point of view on the country as a whole. Although compromises had kept the Union together for many years, in 1860 the situation was explosive. The election of Abraham Lincoln as president was viewed by the South as a threat to slavery and ignited the war. The African American Soldier: When the American Revolution began in 1775; all but 25,000 of the 500,000 African Americans in British North America were enslaved. Many were inspired by American proclamations of freedom, and both slaves and free blacks stood against the British. At first General George Washington refused to recruit black troops. The British made the first move to enlist blacks. In November 1775 Lord Dunmore, the British colonial governor of Virginia, issued a proclamation that all slaves belonging to rebels would be received into the British forces and freed for their services. Tens of thousands of slaves escaped from Southern plantations, and over a thousand fought for the British. The demands of war eventually changed General Washington's mind, and he began to recruit black soldiers. Before the war was over, more than 5000 African Americans from every state except Georgia and South Carolina served in the Revolutionary army. Slaves, many serving in their owner's place, were promised freedom in return for their service. There were several black regiments like the Rhode Island Regiment and Massachusetts' "Bucks of America," but most African Americans served in integrated units. When the Civil War began, African Americans hoped the war would bring about the abolition of slavery. In anticipation, they formed military units in many Northern cities in the 1850s. War finally came in the spring of 1861, and eleven Southern states seceded from the Union and formed their own nation, the Confederate States of America (or the Confederacy). The black military units offered their service to the United States, but the federal government initially refused to accept African American troops. Lincoln feared that doing so would encourage the slaveholding Border States to join the Confederacy. As casualties mounted during 1862, however, U.S. military commanders sometimes recruited black soldiers without explicit authority. Finally, in July 1862 Congress gave the president authority to use black troops. During the war, African American soldiers who served in the Union Army were paid less than white soldiers and suffered racist treatment. Confederates declared they would not treat captured black soldiers and their white officers as legitimate prisoners of war. Instead, they threatened to treat captured black soldiers as runaway slaves and to execute their white officers. By the end of the war, the United States had depended on the services of over 200,000 black soldiers and sailors. Of these 200,000 black soldiers and sailors, 24 received the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor: The Medal of Honor, which was established by joint resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 is awarded in the name of Congress. The MOH is awarded to an individual of the Armed Services who distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry at the risk of his life beyond the call of duty. The action may be performed while engaged in an actions against any enemy of The United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which The United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous that it distinguishes the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Although it was created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863. Black NCO MOH winners of the Civil War: SGM Christian Abraham Fleetwood (1840 -1914) - Christian Fleetwood was an editor, army officer, bureaucrat, and musician. He was born in Baltimore on July 21,1840 to Charles and Anna Marie Fleetwood, both freed persons of color. He received his early education in the home of a wealthy sugar merchant, and later he graduated from Ashmun Institute in Pennsylvania, which later became known as Lincoln University. When the Civil War erupted, he enlisted into the Union Army on Aug. 17, 1863. SGM Fleetwood served gallantly. He was honorably discharged May 4, 1866. He died suddenly of heart failure in Washington on Sept. 28, 1914. Christian Fleetwood was a 23-year-old clerk when he enlisted in the Army. He stood 5'4 and 1/2" tall. Two days later on Aug. 19, 1863, Christian Fleetwood was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. He was assigned to the 4th U.S. Colored Troops. He saw service with the 10th, 18th, and 25th Army Corps in campaigns in North Carolina and Virginia. For heroism in the critical battle of Chaffin's Farm on the outskirts of Richmond, (Sept, 29, 1864) he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after two color bearers had been shot down. SGM Fleetwood seized the colors and bore them nobly throughout the fight. Although every officer of the regiment sent a petition for him to be commissioned an officer, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton did not recommend appointment. At one point, SGM Fleetwood considered making a career in the Army, but was disillusioned with the Army and its treatment of the black troop. This was a huge reason for his separation from the service. Dr James Hill and many others with the unit asked SGM Fleetwood to stay, but he refused to. SGM Fleetwood stated in a letter to Dr. Hill that his reasoning for departing the service was mainly for a desire to benefit his race. He thought that an individual should be promoted based on merit and ability to perform their duty. He knew that he had done this, but was denied the opportunity to receive a commission. SGM Fleetwood became a prominent member of his community and went on to work with the Washington colored National Guard and the colored high school cadet corps. 1 SG Powhatan Beaty - Powhatan Beaty was the first sergeant and fifth general in the United States Colored Troops. Beaty was born in Richmond Virginia in 1839. He entered the service on June 7,1863, and saw action on September 29,1864. He was a 24-year-old farmer when he enlisted who stood 5'7" tall. He was promoted to the rank of SGT on June 9 1863 at Camp Delaware, Ohio two days after enlisting.