Name: edHelper Black Americans in the Civil War

While many people loyal to the Union lived in the South, no group was more supportive of the Union than African Americans. They not only served as spies, providing information on plans and troop movements, but they also fought for the freedom they earnestly desired.

One of the most effective ways of helping the Union was through spying. One of the first spies was George Scott. He was a runaway slave who was able to scout the Confederate position at Big Bethel (near Hampton, Virginia) and give a good report to Union general Benjamin Butler. In spite of Scott's good information, the Confederates won that battle.

One of the best men who spied for the Union was John Scobell. He'd been a slave before the war but was freed before it began. Recruited by Allan Pinkerton, the spy master for General George McClellan, Scobell would often slip into Virginia and speak to slaves or leaders in the black community. They would provide information about troop movements and supplies.

Mary Touvestre, a freed slave, worked as a housekeeper for an engineer involved in the rebuilding of the Confederate ironclad ship, Merrimac. After stealing a set of plans, she rushed to Washington, D.C., where she met with men from the Union Navy. It was because of her information that the construction of the Union's ironclad, the Monitor, was rushed forward. Without her information, the Merrimac could have gone unchallenged might have allowed supplies from Europe to slip through the Union's blockade.

Two agents for the Union worked in the "Confederate White House." One was William A. Jackson, a coachman. His ability to remember details of President Davis's discussions with his advisors was a great asset. Another agent named Mary E. Bowser was an educated freed slave. She concealed her educated status while working as a servant so she could blend in. Her photographic memory allowed her to pass along the information she read in Confederate President Jefferson Davis's papers.

Harriet Tubman, one of the leaders of the Underground Railroad, was also a spy during the Civil War. In 1863, she began taking short trips to the Confederate states (where there was a price on her head) to spy on enemy forces. One time she led a Union force of 150 men up the Combahee River in South Carolina where they surprised a Confederate camp. They destroyed a huge cache of supplies and brought out 750 slaves. General Saxton said, "This is the only military command in American history wherein a woman, black or white, led the raid, and under whose inspiration. it was originated and conducted."

When the Civil War started, there was a rush of black men who wanted to sign up to fight. At first, they were Name: edHelper turned away. Lincoln did not want to alienate the border states more than necessary. Many white soldiers did not think blacks could fight well. In May 1863 the Government established the Bureau of Colored Troops. Once they were deployed on the battlefield, black soldiers proved their courage over and over again. General James Blunt wrote after a battle, "I never saw such fighting as was done by the Negro regiment...The question that Negroes will fight is settled; besides they make better soldiers in every respect than any troops I have ever had under my command."

Not everything was rosy for the black soldiers, however. They were paid less than white soldiers, their weapons were often in poor shape, and other supplies were of lower quality. Many struggled for equal pay, refusing their pay for months until Congress gave it to them in June 1864.

While only ten percent of the whole Union army was black, their losses were high. As many as one third died. Still, their bravery and courage under fire was proven by the 16 Medals of Honor that were awarded. Few records of the deeds of black Americans have survived. Some were lost, while others were purposely destroyed. Even so, enough information remains to show us their valuable contribution.

Black Americans in the Civil War Questions

1. Which of these was not a reason why Mary E. Bowser was a great spy? A. She was educated. B. her photographic memory C. She was able to pose as a servant. D. her secret way of communicating 2. Why did Harriet Tubman go to a part of the country where there was a bounty on her head?

3. If the Merrimac had gone unchallenged while the Monitor was being built, how could that have affected the outcome of the war?

4. Which of these was not a problem for black soldiers? A. lower pay B. low quality supplies C. too much food D. weapons in poor shape Name: edHelper 5. Lincoln did not want to alienate the border states more than necessary so black volunteers were turned away. A. true B. false edHelper Name: How many of these can you write about? Think! Write! Check all the ones you answered. Black Americans were big supporters of the Union. What actions were they able to take to try to insure their side would win? You are a black person wanting to support the Union. Choose whether you live in the North or the South, and describe what you are going to do for the war effort.

Don't stop writing. Use a blank piece of paper to continue.