Question: What do I need to know about African American troops?  (scroll down for answer)

Answer:

1. At first, slaves were taken as "contraband" and used by the Army for labor.

2. The first official black regiment recognized by the Union Army was the 54th Massachusetts (as seen in the movie Glory -- there were earlier unofficial black troops).

3. Black soldiers were paid a lower salary compared to whites.

4. About 180,000 black soldiers filled about 10% of the ranks by the end of the Civil War.

5. Even the Confederacy had plans for black regiments by 1865.

Click here for next flash card.      Back to eFlashcard headquarters